CHAPTER XV 



STABLE MANAGEMENT CONTINUED 



EECAPITULATIOX OF DAILY DUTIES — PROi-ER rElIPERATURE OF THE STABLE — REMEDIES FOR 

 STABLE VICES AND BAD HABITS — PREPARATION FOR WORK — ORDINARY SWEATING — THE 

 TURKISH BATH — PHYSIC — FINAL PREPARATION — TREATMENT AFTER WORK — SUMMERING 

 — A winter's RUN — THE STRAW-Y^\UD — CARE OF SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



In the LAST CHAPTER I liave entered at length upon the consideration of 

 the several duties of the groom; I shall now recapitulate them, so as to 

 enable the master to see at a glance whether his servant is at any particular 

 time doins: what he ought to do. 



RECAPITULATION OF DAILY DUTIES 



A.M. 5 to G. Feed, and give a few "go-downs " of water; while the corn is being eaten 

 put the stable straight, by separating the soiled part of the litter and 

 forking it back into the gangway, while the rest is tucked up under the 

 manger. Then sweep out the stall quite clean, and cany the dirt as well 

 as the foul litter at once out of the stable. 



6 to 7. Put exercise saddle and bridle on, take the horse out for half-au-hour or an 



hour, or more, according to the work he has to do. Bring him home, 

 take off saddle and bridle, shake down a little litter, and go to breakfast. 

 8 to 8.30. Dress each horse for an hour; put all straight; feed, and water lightly; 

 rack up if going out to work, if not allow horse to lie down, arranging 

 a light bed for the purpose ; put on bandages when worn. 

 r.M. 3 to 4. Feed again and give half a bucket of water; remove droppings. 



7 to 8. Remove droppings ; bed ilp ; water and feed; stop feet on those nights when 



required ; take off bandages. 



These hours will vary according to circumstances, but in private stables 

 they are the most convenient that can be arranged for hacks and harness- 

 horses. Hunters are sometimes fed once more, — that is, at six, nine, twelve, 

 five, and eight; but I believe four times a day often enough to give any 

 horse food. When one man has to do three horses, he cannot of course 

 finish them all by the hour named, and even if he begins at five o'clock, he 

 cannot complete all he has to do before eleven or twelve o'clock. 



PROPER TEMPERATURE OF THE STABLE 



There is scarcely any point upon which there is so much difference of 

 opinion, as in relation to the temperature of stables. Some contend for an 

 amount of heat which would raise Fahrenheit's thermometer to 65° or 70^, 



289 U 



