From the principles already discussed, we may see that the clothing used for protection of horses from cold should be of a material which, like a horse's coat, absorbs moisture readily, and parts with it at a rate which will not unduly expose the animal to chill. These conditions are admirably fulfilled by woollen cloth, which is more absorbent of water than cloth made from cotton, linen, or jute. As a material manufactured from any of these vegetable fabrics is a more energetic conductor of heat, and parts with moisture more readily than a woollen one; it is the more suitable of the two for summer clothing.

As clothing harbours dirt and various kinds of animal and vegetable life, it should be kept scrupulously clean, so that its use may not give rise to disease. From neglect of this precaution, clothing is not an unfrequent carrier of mange and ringworm.

Woollen clothing, especially when it is of coarse material and when it is not kept clean, is sometimes a cause of irritation to the skin, in which case it is well to put a cotton sheet between the clothing and the skin.

Clothing should be as light as the performance of its duty will admit, so that it may not inconvenience the animal.