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standing constantly upon hard stones, in a stable, will have the effect 

 to benumb, enfeeble and founder, the soundest hoofs, in the course of 

 time, and that with the weak, such effect will be more speedy. Never- 

 theless, a medium may be observed, and less straw is required in hot 

 weather, and it should always be as clean as can be afforded, since 

 standing upon hot dung is another extreme, and may be ver}'^ injurious 

 to the feet and legs of Horses. Dried Horse-dung, indeed, is used in 

 the East for litter, and we sometimes see it here reduced to a curious 

 soft powder, spreadover the floors of the riding house. In littering a 

 Horse down very deep, such an accident has occasionally happened, as 

 his taking up a straw with his yard, into the sheath, and it may have 

 disagreeable consequences. 



Servants who have the care of Horses are styled grooms, hostlers, 

 and horse-keepers. The two latter relate to stables where Horses are 

 let out to hire, to inns, and to cart-stables. The hours of attendance, 

 in regular and sporting stables, are four times a day : early in the morn- 

 ing, twelve at noon, afternoon and night. For a groom to be capable 

 of his business, it is absolutely necessary that he should have served a 

 year or two, at least, in some stable of repute. Raw lads entrusted by 

 themselves to the care of Horses, always make a miserable and ridicu- 

 lous hand of the business, to the great discomfort and often injury of 

 the cattle, and the burlesque of their master. It requires not only a 

 knowledge of stable discipline, to manage the Horse at all points, but a 

 certain dexterity of hand, in the use of the comb and brush, to rid his 

 carcase of dirt and impurity, but more particularly his legs and feet, 

 and to preserve them from grease. We have no heaven-born grooms. 

 In the running stables, a lad is required to every Horse, under the 

 superintendance of the training groom, but in the common way, a groom 

 will take care of two hacks or hunters. There is seldom much regu- 

 larity in cart stables, and my own have generally exhibited a bad 

 example ; but it is the labour of one capable man at least, to dress and 

 sufficiently attend four cart-horses. All cart and coach-horses, whilst 

 upon dutv and standing still, in cold rains, or piercing winds, should 

 have a substantial covering thrown over their loins. 



Saddle and coach-horses kept in high condition, stand in the stable 



clothed 



