STABLE MANAGEMENT. 83 



that it is anything but a bad habit, and the presence of a lump of rock their own 

 salt in the manger will suffice to distract the attention till it is forgotten, droppings. 

 If the habit continues, that portion of the wall within reach may be 

 covered with tar varnish (tar i part, naphtha 3 parts). Eating dung is a 

 dirty habit, which, once acquired, seems to be very difficult to stop. The 

 animal will even try to slip its head collar in order to get at its own 

 fieces, although it does not attempt to eat those of other animals. As 

 indigestion may be a possible cause, in both the above cases, a careful 

 veterinary examination of the animal, and an equally thorough over- 

 hauling of the food should be undertaken. 



Daily Routine of Stable Duties. 



The usual hours for stables at Home are : — Morning 6 to 7 in Hours, 

 summer, 6.30 to 7.30 in winter ; mid-day on return from work or exercise ; 

 evening 5 to 5.30 p.m. 



The stable to be cleaned out, the bedding placed in windrows and the Morning 

 stable aired. Every horse should then be quartered, the feet picked out, stables. 

 and manes and tails brushed down. 



When the horses have been watered the saddle or harness may be 

 put on, the girths being left loose and the horse racked up and left to feed 

 while the men have breakfast. 



Immediately on return from work, after watering their horses, the Mid-day 

 men should take off the bridles, put on the stable head collars, remove stables, 

 the arms from the saddles, dry the throat, rack up the horses, and give 

 them a little hay to pick at. Harness and saddle may be left on with 

 loosened girths whilst the men change into fatigue dress ; as soon as this 

 is done " Stables " should sound, when every man should be with his horse, 

 and all officers and non-commissioned officers of the unit present. 



The saddle or harness should be removed, the numnah being put 

 outside to dry and the horse carefully examined for possible galls or other 

 injuries, the feet picked or washed out, and the horse should be 

 thoroughly dried if not already so, and groomed. Any injuries or loose 

 shoes should be reported to the non-commissioned officer in charge of 

 the stable. After grooming the horse is taken outside to be inspected by 

 the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge of the stable, who is to 

 carefully examine every part of him, paying special attention to the tail, 

 mane, throat, ears, knees, belly, and insides of the thighs and hocks. If 

 the horse is perfectly clean he is to be taken to water and fed. When 

 the quantity of litter permits, horses should be bedded down before 

 leaving stables. 



(b 10948) F 2 



