The inside of the ear is coated with fine hair, which is intended by nature to exclude rain, flies, dirt, and other foreign matters floating in the air. When left to itself, it grows so long as to protrude considerably out of the ear, and to give the horse a neglected, ungroomed-like appearance. It is a common practice to trim all this hair away by the roots. But it is a very stupid practice. The internal ear becomes exposed to the intrusion of rain, dirt, and insects; and though I know of no disease arising from this cause, yet every horseman is aware that it gives the horse much annoyance. Many are very unwilling to face a blast of rain or sleet, and some will not. In the fly-season, they are constantly throwing the head about as if they would throw it off, and this is an inconvenience to either rider or driver. The hair on the inside should not be cut from any horse. It is easily cleaned by a gentle application of the brush. When the hair grows too long, the points may be taken off. This is done by closing the ear, and cutting away the hair that protrudes beyond the edges.

Among heavy horses even this is unnecessary.

Cropping the Ears used at one time to be almost as common as docking is now. But the operation is so entirely abandoned, that no one now speaks of it.