GENERAL STABLE MANxVGEMENT 45 



laid down, I do not think it will be often necessary 

 to rug up for exercise. 



The morning exercise should be looked upon 

 by the stud groom as a most important duty. 

 If carried out, as it often is, in a careless 

 ^''""'' and slovenly fashion, the health of the 

 horse suffers, and accidents are very apt to occur. 

 The stud groom should always take it out him- 

 self, and, riding in rear, check all straggling, and 

 insist on the men sitting properly on their horses. 

 Under no circumstances should he permit horses to 

 be ridden without saddles. It is a frequent cause 

 of accidents and sore backs. Smoking at exercise 

 should not be allowed. Apart from the fact that 

 a gentleman's stud going along the road ridden by 

 men smoking clay pipes does not look well, I think 

 the practice a dangerous one. Each man has 

 generally a horse to lead, and to ride one horse 

 properly and lead another is enough to occupy a 

 groom's hands and head. If he is smoking a pipe, 

 sparks are apt to fly about with disastrous results, 

 or the pipe goes out and has to be relit with reins 

 hitched round the rider's arm ; not a safe proceed- 

 ing, when leading spirited horses. 



Stopping at public-houses during exercise 

 should of course be unheard of in a decent gentle- 

 man's stable, yet it is not so uncommon as it 

 should be. If you find your horses wanting to 



