Fox-hunting Past and Present 



stable is assumed to be : at 6.30 a.m., water ; sweep 

 out box or stall; and remove soiled litter ; remove 

 night clothing, and hang out if fine ; clean horse's 

 body, legs, head, mane, and tail ; sponge his dock 

 and nostrils ; then put on fresh day clothing. 

 About an hour after, feed horses, and the groom 

 proceeds to breakfast. After that, say 9 a.m., saddle 

 and bridle ; doors and windows to be opened be- 

 fore going out. While out, clothing to be brushed, 

 horse groomed thoroughly on return, and bedded 

 down. At 12 o'clock, water and feed, and attend 

 to stable generally. 5 p.m., feed and water ; remove 

 dung, and groom well, and night clothing put 

 on, say, at 5 P.M., in winter 9 P.M. Stud or head 

 groom visits stables and feed if necessary. Linseed 

 mash is given twice a week (unless horse is 

 hunting next day). Never feed without chaff, or 

 feed within an hour before horse is watered. Do 

 not give anv food within an hour before horse 

 going out hunting. On coming in, do not remove 

 saddle or numnah until the back can be dried, 

 which will be in about twenty minutes. This 

 applies to girths of side saddle ; a leather numnah 

 will be found to be as good as any. After a horse 

 returns, wet bandages should be applied and kept 

 on till grooming is finished. A horse's shoes 

 should be continually looked over, and the inner 

 under edge should never be sharp. 



The following is somewhat the order of pro- 



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