THE OBJECT OF J5REAKING 79 



Grooming plays a very iin2)ortant part in main- 

 taining the horse in good health. Stimulate, by 

 every possible means, the emulation of the trooj^ers, 

 to secure the perfect execution of this work. The 

 squadron leader and the officer in charge of the 

 training should visit the young horses every day in 

 the stable, regulate the time of feeding, inquire as 

 to the horse's apj^etitc, examine the teeth, see that 

 the horses get their full rations, order suitable sub- 

 stitutes for corn according to the season, fix the days 

 and the time for mashes and give orders as to 

 what they should be made of, and, finally, see tliat 

 the horses have j^lt^nty of bedding, which alone will 

 give the rest indispensable to their health. 



Weekly examination. — Once a week the officers 

 will have all the horses led out, without clothing, 

 by the men w^ho ride them, in order to form a better 

 opinion of their appearance, and of the condition of 

 their legs, examining carefully the feet and shoes. 

 This weekly examination gives much assistance in 

 the future work. 



Change of coat and green food. — The change of 

 coat in March or April, and the diet of green food 

 in May and June, give rise to depression in young 

 horses. The easing down of work is at this time 

 absolutely necessary, as also the extra feeding destined 

 to overcome this physical dci:)ression, the effects of 

 which are often felt for some considerable time. 



Choice of ground. — The choice of ground plays 

 an important part in the working of young horses. 

 Without exaggerating the precautions that should be 

 taken, there is an advantage in choosing, at any 

 rate for the gallop, ground as soft as possible. On 

 hard ground the joints get tired and the tendons 



