214 THE HORSE. 
for some months are not fit for horses that are accustomed to be kept 
warm and dry, without taking the following precautions. If the walls 
are very new some open stoves should be kept burning for at least a week, 
not with the windows and doors shut, as is often done, but with a good 
current of air blowing through the whole building. In the absence of 
regular stoves loose bricks may be built up so as to allow a good draught 
of air through the coals or wood burnt in them, and thus to give out as 
much heat as is wanted. For stables that have merely been closed for a 
month or two a fire kindled on the floor and kept burning for a few hours 
will suffice, but when the horses are first brought in, their beds should 
previously be made up ready for them, and then the doors, windows and 
other ventilators should all be shut till the stable becomes thoroughly 
warmed by the natural heat of their bodies, which it soon is. When this 
is accomplished, if the weather is warm, the ventilators should be opened 
as usual, and the windows also if necessary; but it is better to err on the 
safe side, and not to do this till the groom is DEOL satisfied that his 
charge are all comfortably warm. 
CHAPTER XIV. 
STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
THE COACHMAN, GROOM, AND HELPER—STABLE IMPLEMENTS, CLOTHING, ETC.—FOOD 
AND WATER— THEORY AND PRACTICE OF FEEDING—— BEDDING— DRESSING OR 
GROOMING— CLIPPING, SINGEING, AND TRIMMING—USE AND APPLICATION OF BANDAGES 
—MANAGEMENT OF THE FEET—EXERCISE. 
. 
IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES, my attention will be specially directed to the 
management of private stables ; and therefore the racehorse, 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 seldom engaged less than four 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 
