266 LIVE STOCK MANAGEMENT. 



circumstance should they be over worked or over driven. 

 Many men who are preparing horses for market make the 

 fatal mistake of allowing their animals to remain in the 

 stalls for a week or ten days, then take them out to exercise 

 and drive them for a few hours as fast as the animal can 

 go, and by so doing remove all the flesh which they have 

 put on in the previous eight or ten days. 



Another point which we must consider is the grooming. 

 This is a very important part of the preparation. A horse 

 with a sleek and glossy coat is much more attractive than 

 one with long, dry hair. They should always receive a good 

 cleaning at least once a day. The feet and legs should also 

 be given proper attention. The manes and tails should be kept 

 well brushed, so as to give them a neat and attractive 

 appearance. Do not use a curry comb on the mane or tail, 

 as it has a tendency to cut the hair, thus give it a rough 

 appearance. A singer can usually be used to good advantage 

 to do away with the long hairs under the body and around 

 the throat. In light horses a great improvement can be 

 made by clipping the legs as far as the knees in front and 

 as far as the hocks behind. This requires to be neatly done 

 and well tapered off at the knee and hock, so as to look as 

 smooth as possible. The hair in the ear should also be 

 clipped out and the mane pulled. The feet should be prop- 

 erly trimmed and kept well leveled. A few hours put on a 

 horse in preparing him in this way will add much to his 

 appearance and may add $50 or $100 to his selling price. 



When the horse is nearly ready for sale give him an 

 occasional lesson on the halter. Teach him to trot up well 

 with a graceful carriage, to stand with his head erect so as 

 to present a good appearance when the buyer inspects him. 

 In this respect it is always better in standing a horse to 

 stand him with his front feet a little higher than his hind 

 feet. If you wish to drive him in harness and present him 

 in this way for sale, be sure and have the harness well 

 cleaned and polished, as it will add many dollars to the value 

 of the animal. Have the harness properly adjusted and 

 fitted to the horse. Any deviation from this depreciates the 

 value of the animal. In showing a horse in harness, teach 

 him to drive up; also to stand with his head well up. 



