STABLE MANAGEMENT 



him, not by brute strength, but with soft towels 

 or rub-cloths which absorb as they shampoo. 

 When a horse comes in wet, tired, and dirty, 

 don't allow him to be dressed and hissed at for 

 hours. Would you like to come in from a long 

 walk and be fussed around for an hour after ? 

 Scrape him, straighten his hair, roll thick band- 

 ages on legs, either after washing or over the 

 dirt ; cover him up warm to let him steam out, 

 and leave him. When dry, simply remove band- 

 ages, take off blankets, and let alone until next 

 morning. Never be afraid to wash a horse, legs, 

 body and all ; what is there about soap and 

 water that is poison to him, and good for you ? 

 But dry him thoroughly from ear to toe as you 

 would yourself, and never fear scratches, colds, 

 nor other ill-results. 



Oats, hay and bran; hay, bran and oats; the 

 poor equine in the average stable hardly knows 

 the taste of any other food ; while condiments of 

 all sorts are regarded with holy horror by the 

 master, and used secretly, if at all, by the man. 

 Vary the food daily if possible, each meal if you 

 can. There are lots of excellent materials which 

 are disregarded, and which afford a most whole- 

 some change. Slightly damaged grain can be 



53 



