783. To dress a Horse.—On entering the stable, first give him about a gallon of clean water in a clean pail; then shake up the best litter under the manger, sweep out the stall, and clean out the stable.
Whilst the horse is feeding, dress him: first, curry him all over with the currycomb, to loosen the dirt and dust on his skin; then remove the dust with a whalebone brush; next, smooth and cleanse the coat with a wisp of straw; and again use the brush and currycomb, to take off what dust may remain; after which, whisk him again with a damp lock of hay; and, finally, rub him down with a woollen or linen cloth.
Then turn round the horse in the stall, brush his head well, and wisp it clean and smooth with a damp lock of hay. Then wipe the dust and filth from the inside of the ears with a damp sponge, and draw the ears through the hands for a few minutes, until they are warm. Wash out the sponge, and with it cleanse the dust, &c., from the eyes; sponge the nostrils, and then rub the whole head with a cloth, in the same manner as the body.
Next, turn the horse round into his proper situation, put on the head-stall, and with a sponge wash the dirt and filth from under the tail. Then, clean and lay the mane with a comb and water-brush, used alternately with both hands; again wipe over the head and body, put on the body-clothes, and fasten them with a surcingle.
Examine the heels, pick out the dirt from the feet, and wash the heels with a brush and plenty of water. If the horse has bad feet, they should be dressed and stuffed.
Lastly, shake hay into the rack; and then the horse will be completely dressed.
784. Horse Flies.—To prevent horses being teased with flies, take two or three small handfuls of walnut leaves, upon which pour two or three quarts of soft cold water; let it infuse one night; pour the whole next morning into a kettle, and let it boil for a quarter of an hour: when cold, it will be ready for use. Nothing more is required than to moisten a sponge with the liquid, and, before the horse goes out of the stable, let those parts which are most irritable be smeared over with the liquor, namely, between and upon the ears, the flank, &c.