CHAPTER XIV 



STABLE MANAGEMENT 



THE COACHMAN, GROOM, AND HELPER— CLOTHING, STABLE IMPLEMENTS, ETC. — FOOD AND 

 WATER — ROOTS — GREEN FOOD SUITABLE FOR SOILING HORSES — ARTIFICIAL CONDI- 

 MENTAL FOODS — WATERING HORSES — THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FEEDING — 

 BEDDING — DRESSING OR GROOMING — CLIPPING, SINGEING, AND TRIMMING — USE AND 

 APPLICATION OF BANDAGES— MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET — DAILY EXERCISE. 



In the following pages my attention will be specially directed to the 

 management of private stables ; and therefore the race-horse, the omnibus 

 and cab-horse, and the poster, will not pass under review. Those who are 

 engaged in their superintendence make it their business to ascertain what 

 is best to be done ; and, whether they do or not, each of them fancies that 

 he knows better than any one else how to effect his object. 



THE COACHMAN, GROOM, AND HELPER 



The COACHMAN is generally understood to be a servant in charge of 

 a horse or horses, drawing either a close carriage or an open one of 

 some importance, and attending to their management, indoors and out. 

 To perform these duties thoroughly, he must possess all his faculties ; 

 and should have had considerable practice in driving, if he is wanted 

 for "town" work. If he has more than two horses under his care, he 

 must have a helper ; for each of them requires at least two hours' work 

 daily indoors ; and to clean a carriage and harness, about three hours 

 more will be occupied. Thus seven hours are accounted for in the 

 stable ; and a carriage is often engaged for several more, which is quite 

 enough work for any man to do well. I have certainly known more than 

 one coachman turn out three horses and a carriage extremely well ; but on 

 the average it will not be efficiently done ; and it must be remembered that 

 top-boots are not kept in nice order without some little trouble. Good and 

 careful driving is the first consideration ; for without this, the inmates of 

 the carriage are in constant danger. But unless the coachman knows how 

 to dress and feed his horses, and also to manage their slight ailments, they 

 will be constantly lame or sick ; and hence a few additional pounds in 

 wages are well bestowed upon a first-rate servant. The wages of coachmen 

 vary from 20s. to iOs. per week out of doors, or from .£18 to £60 yearly 

 indoors, or even more occasionally. 



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