108 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



trustworthy and experienced man, who will not only make the 

 other men perform their work in a proper and regular manner, 

 but will be capable of estimating the fitness of the horses for 

 their individual labour, understand their disposition and pecu- 

 liarities, their different appetites, and everything pertaining 

 to feeding and grooming, exercise, ventilation, etc., as well as 

 ensuring safety, and prevention of waste. 



The system of routine of stables must be governed by cir- 

 cumstances, but regularity and punctuality in whatever has to 

 be done should be rigidly enforced. Neatness and cleanliness 

 are sure indications of good management. 



The morning stable hour will depend upon the season of 

 the year, the nature of the work, and other matters. If the 

 stable be close, the first thing to be done is to allow the escape 

 of hot foul air, and the admission of fresh air ; then a glance 

 round the horses to see they are all right. Having been 

 watered and fed, the stalls in the stable are cleaned out, the 

 litter being attended to as before directed; the feed having 

 been consumed, the horses are taken out for exercise, or if they 

 must go to work, they are cleaned and harnessed. After 

 exercise or work, when the horses return to stable, grooming 

 is again performed, and the horses are bedded down. Before 

 leaving horses for the night, if they are in stalls, the head-stalls 

 should be carefully examined to see they fit the head properly and 

 are secure ; also that the head collar rope or chain is not too 

 long, but just sufficient to allow the head to rest on the ground 

 when the horse is lying down. If corn bins are kept in the stable 

 they should be carefully fastened, so that should a horse chance 

 to get loose he may not be able to have access to the oats. 

 Forks and other sharp instruments should not be kept within 

 the stables; indeed, instead of sharp-pointed forks for the 

 litter, it is much safer to have those with quite blunt points. 



