ENGLISH HORSES 6i 



very common mistake is to give too much bran 

 and too little linseed. A tea-cupful of linseed 

 boiled to a pulp, the consistency almost of cream, 

 is most useful when mixed with chop and oats 

 and a bowl of bran at least once a week. It 

 keeps the horses' bowels in good order. 



The average stable is not kept in a manner 

 which reflects much credit on the tidiness of a 

 groom. Too often it is badly ventilated, dimly 

 lighted, and the floor is an absolute disgrace, it is 

 so uneven. 



Not only do we find the accumulation of years 

 of dust on cupboards or window-sills, but rugs 

 which ought to be quite clean to insure good 

 health are so caked with manure they positively 

 reek in bad instances. Thrush, mange, lousiness, 

 indigestion, colic, bad eyesight, itch, sores from 

 ill-fitting harness, grease from ill-management 

 also, all swell the long list, which could be 

 lengthened considerably if we investigate the 

 result of a slovenly managed stable. 



Where brass is well polished, where hay 

 smells sweet, and pleasant sniffs from harness- 

 paste can be enjoyed, how different do horses 

 look ! Then we see bright bits and stirrups, clean 

 floors and carriages, spotless lamps devoid of all 

 trace of spluttering candle-grease. Rugs and 

 aprons are stainless, carriage-whips have no 

 superfluous knots, and reins do not dirty a clean 

 pair of gloves in such an Arcadian stable. 



Feet are carefully blacked with the best 

 preparation, such as is given in notes on this 

 subject at the end of this book. Shoes are not 



