CONSTRUCTION AND JIANAGEMENT OF STABLES. 



543 



rv. The Care of Stock when in Stable. 



The object of this section is more to correct abuses in the us of cold 

 water and want of exercise than to give elaborate rules in regard to 

 grooming, etc. Cold water is a good thing, but, like all good things, is 

 apt to be abused. In our northern latitudes it is too 

 cold to allow the free use of cold water in cleaning the 

 horse's legs and feet, from November 1st to April 1st, 

 or even a longer period ; for cold water thus used on 

 the extremities already chilled, is very apt — nay, 

 almost certain — to cause scratches, grease, furruncle, 

 or the like. If warm water is used and the legs 

 thoroughly dried, no damage is done, but it is not 

 once in a hundred times that they are thus properly 

 dried.' The best way is to clean and dry the legs and 

 feet with a whisk of hay or straw, or with a rubbing 

 cloth when the horse comes in ; then, when thoroughly scratches. 



dry, clean them properly with a brush. This, in most 

 instances, will keep the legs free from scratches. 



Horses should not be kept any considerable length of time on a board 

 floor without exercise and occasional removal of the shoes, the same as 

 though he were at work ; for the feet will get dry and brittle, contract and 



As seen in the hollow of 

 the pastern. 



SHOWING THE VEINS OF THE 

 FOOT. 



Which may be seriously interfered with 

 by contraction of the hoof from standing 

 too long on a board floor without atten- 

 tion to the moisture, shoeing, etc., of the 

 feet. 



EXOSTOSIS OF THE COFFIN BONE. 



As sometimes seen in complications of navicu- 

 lar disease, contraction, side bones, etc. 



press upon the quarters, causing corns, and perhaps setting up hiflamma- 

 tion that may form side bones, contract the tendons, etc. If obliged to 

 keep a horse standing idle in a stable, have his shoes taken off , and, if 

 possible, let him have a dirt floor to stand on, sprinkling occasionally to 

 dampen it. A box stall would be much the best for him. 



V. Additional Directions for Giving Medicines. 



It is very necessary for the stable-man to be able to give medicine, both 

 in the form of drenches and balls. Many a dose of medicine, of the 



