THE CHARACTER OF STABLE SERVANTS. 359 



man or liead lad should not indulge in more luxurious hours 

 than he expects any of his subordinates to enjoy. He should 

 be up and about at six and have the day's work started 

 at that time. The doors should be opened in fair weather, 

 the horses watered and given a feed of hay. The stalls 

 should be cleaned out and newly bedded down ; the horses 

 given their grain before the men go to their breakfast at 

 seven o'clock. At half past seven the grooming should 

 be begun and half an hour devoted to each horse; the head 

 collars and day clothing put on. When the grooming is com- 

 pleted the brushes, etc., should be cleaned and put away ; the 

 various parts of the stable dusted and the bedding and mats 

 set fair. When there are no earlv mornins^ orders this time 

 should be taken to wash out the rubbing cloths and band- 

 ages and to exercise such horses as are not going to be used. 

 In the evening the person in charge should remain on duty 

 until all the work is completed and the horses have been fed 

 and " fixed " for the night. A man in care of a stable must 

 realize the responsibility of his position and understand that 

 he cannot intrust to others the details which he is employed 

 to superintend. He should be held accountable for any 

 accidents or mistakes occurring, except during his enforced 

 absence, when driving, etc. 



Inferior men often believe or endeavor to convince an em- 

 ployer that they are thoroughly capable and demand the same 

 consideration as that to which superior servants are entitled; 

 this claim when unjustified should be given the check it 

 deserves. A man who is stupid, clumsy or slow will con- 

 sume more time in performing his work than one who is 

 quick and bright, hence he cannot have so much " time off." 

 If indifferent grooms would only realize the additional value 



