GENERAL STABLE MANAGEMENT 47 



in condition is, or should be, much like a man in 

 training. Both, when really fit, will stand much 

 punishment in the way of bumps and bruises, which 

 would incapacitate them if soft and flabby. Wisp- 

 ing is an important aid to obtaining this condition. 

 The day before a horse is to go out hunting the 

 stud groom should carefully see to his 



Shoes 



shoes. Inattention to this is the cause of 

 much annoyance, and needless accidents. 



The two things he should notice are : first, that 

 all the clenches are down and the nails good ; and, 

 secondly, that the inner under-edge of each hind 

 shoe is rounded and not sharp. Attention to the 

 first point will prevent your casting shoes ; if the 

 second is seen to, you won't have horses laid up 

 from over-reaches. 



I maintain that, unless a horse has bad feet, 

 he should never cast a shoe when out. It has 

 happened to me very seldom during the last six 

 years. 



My shoeing-smith lives in the village, and comes 

 in every morning to see to things which want doing. 

 When I first came here I found two shoeing-smiths, 

 three . or four miles off, respectively, had the 

 monopoly of the hunting work. They had more 

 than they could properly attend to in the winter, 

 and were rather independent in consequence, and of 

 course they could not come over to my stable daily. 



