Cutting the hair from, and thereby exposing the hinder heels to the operation of cold and of wet is no unfrequent cause of grease. Such is a common practice with lazy horsekeepers when not stimulated by the proprietor's eye. In winter, when the legs most require warmth and protection, the heels are deprived of the covering which nature intended should protect them; and parts where the blood flows most tardily are laid bare to the effects of evaporation and of frost. When the animal returns soiled from work, most grooms will sluice a pail of cold water over the legs; the dirt is thereby washed off, but the legs are suddenly chilled, and soon become more cold, because of the moisture which they retain and of the evaporation which ensues; for very few stablemen, finding the appearance pleasing to mortal perceptions, think about the comfort of the creature which is principally concerned. Sudden chill striking a part, and followed by gradually-increasing cold, will certainly induce congestion; the foundation of disease is thus laid. The better plan would be to instruct the groom that appearance is secondary to the welfare of his charge. Order the man not to mind about leaving his horses so very clean and tidy; never allow the hair, which grows long and luxuriant about the heels, to be cut off. Leave strict orders that, when the animal returns with dirty legs, the stableman is to take several wisps of straw and rub them until the surface is quite dry. The absence of wet will greatly add to the comfort of the horse, while the friction will increase the circulation and prove the very best preventive to disease. With the moisture, of course, much of the dirt must be removed; any which is left behind will readily fall out on the following morning, upon the hair being carefully hand-rubbed and combed. However, mind and see this is done, for it entails some trouble; and, if you are content with merely giving orders, the "old buffer's megrims" are sure to be laughed at and disobeyed. Turning out to grass, especially during the colder months, when the wet is particularly abundant, and the bite peculiarly short, is another fruitful source of this affection. If a well-bred, aged animal, which has done its work, after a life spent under the protection of the stable and in the enjoyment of its carefully-prepared diet, is, from mistaken motives, turned into the field, life may be prolonged, but it is at the expense of much suffering, with the almost certain visitation of grease in a virulent form. [Illustration: A HORSE SCRATCHING ONE LEG WITH THE OTHER FOOT--A SYMPTOM OF THE EARLIEST APPEARANCE OF GREASE. ]