Stablemen have long been in the habit of singeing away the long loose hair which grows about the jaws, throat, neck, belly, and quarters of horses that have been much exposed to cold; a flame is applied and the hair is allowed to blaze for a moment, when it is extinguished by drawing the hand or a damp cloth over it. Sometimes the hair is moistened a little with spirits of wine, in order that it may burn more readily; the spirit is not rubbed in, it is enough to moisten the points of the hair; when too wet it lies too smoothly for singeing. Sometimes the horse is singed all over; the operation is common, I believe, in England and Ireland. There are instruments for the purpose. An article composed of two iron rollers, the one being hot and the other cold, was at one time in use. But singeing is now done by a kind of knife, having a moveable back, which is surrounded with tow moistened with spirit of wine and set on fire. As (he knife is drawn over the hairs, their points start and are taken off by the flame. When properly performed, this operation does not disfigure the horse so much as might be expected.

He does not look so ill as a clipped horse, and his hair is never so generally shortened.

Shaving

I have heard of horses being shaved. It has been done to make the horse wear a summer coat in winter. The operation is rare and difficult; it is performed after the horse has moulted, and before the winter coat is full grown. I am unable to say whether it be right or wrong, for I have never seen it performed, and am ignorant of its results.