Wisps are generally of two kinds, namely, a straw wisp, which consists of a handful of straw, and a hard hay wisp or hay pad. To these I would add that very useful form of wisp which is made from unprepared hemp.

The straw wisp and the hemp wisp are used for drying the coat and for stimulating the skin, in both of which offices they are far superior to any kind of brush. In this work, a cotton rubber may be used as a wisp. In drying a horse, one or more changes of wisp or rubber will be required. In drying or stimulating the skin, the wisp, whether it be of straw, hemp or cotton, should be worked backwards and forwards well into the coat, so that full advantage may be obtained from the friction.

Fig. 57. Half-moon sweat-scraper, with india-rubber band.

The hard hay wisp or hay pad is made by taking a large double handful of hay (Fig. 58), twisting it by one end, while the other is kept fixed between the foot and the ground (Fig. 59), and doubling-in the free end (Fig. 60), so as to form a hard pad (Fig. 61). This pad is used to "set the coat," after the grooming is finished, by steady pressure applied in the direction in which the hairs lie. It is often used in a slightly damp condition, in order to increase its effect in this respect.