340 STABLES 



work is simply inestimable. As a large livery-stable proprietor remarked 

 the other day: "It is the misfits which ruin our business". 



Having a suitable horse, the 'next point is that he should be in fit 

 condition; and it must be remembered that no horse can be fit for pro- 

 longed severe exertion without a requisite amount of previous exercise. 

 The number of horses that are ruined through non-recognition of this is 

 incredible. Many men assume that a new purchase, simply because it is 

 new, should equal, if not surpass, similar horses in hard condition, and 

 ignore the fact that the new horse is generally young, and frequently in 

 no condition for hard work, for which he has to be prepared by gradually 

 increasing daily exercise. 



Grooms. Anyone aspiring to be a groom should possess a natural 

 love of horses, a good equable temper, and self-control, firmness, patience, 

 and kindness. Then he should be well trained so as to understand the 

 duties of feeding, grooming, and harnessing thoroughly, and be able to 

 ride and drive with care, judgment, and efficiency. Ignorance and care- 

 lessness are responsible for most of the mishaps which occur both in the 

 stable and at work. Imperfect grooming, excessive, deficient, or irregular 

 feeding or watering, are all inimical to health. Whenever a horse is laid 

 idle, the rations should at once undergo a decrease. A well-groomed horse 

 is easily recognized by his cleanness, his glossy coat, and well-cared-for 

 appearance. Evidence of undue haste in grooming, slovenliness, or care- 

 lessness is generally to be found in the unclean, untidy condition of the 

 mane and tail. When cleaning, in addition to attention to mane and tail, 

 any discharge about the eyes and nostrils should be carefully removed, 

 also the skin round the anus cleaned, &c. 



In addition to seeing that his horse is well groomed, it is the groom's 

 duty to have his harness thoroughly cleaned and well fitting, and likewise 

 to keep the stable pure, sweet, and clean, free from draughts, and of an 

 equal temperature. Anyone when approaching a horse for any purpose, 

 should always by word advise the horse of his intention. The omission to 

 do this has been the cause of many accidents. The horse should never be 

 taken by surprise; it startles and enervates him. 



The old saying that " it is the pace that kills " is a very true one, and 

 is frequently exemplified both in riding and driving. The way in which 

 a horse is handled in saddle and in harness will, to a large extent, govern 



O ' O 



the amount he can do in either case. 



Most horses, when treated intelligently, are tractable and readily obey 

 when properly educated, and the majority of unmanageable horses are the 

 result of ignorant or incapable handling. Occasionally, however, horses 

 are met with which the most efficient care and handling fail to render 



