FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



soft flesh shrinks ; he will take no harm, and 

 quickly build up again ; nor spare him just 

 because he is " the new horse," and therefore to 

 be treated with the care accorded new furniture 

 or china. You bought him to work, and that it 

 is which insures his health and welfare. 



Remember that your country horse will prob- 

 ably suffer from homesickness, and try to alleviate 

 this by insuring him equine companionship, by 

 little attentions and delicacies, etc. As you would, 

 in similar circumstances, brood over your condi- 

 tion if left in solitary confinement, so will he ; as 

 your depression would be increased by over-feed- 

 ing and lack of exercise, so is his ; as wholesome 

 fatigue insures the kindly oblivion to you of sleep, 

 so it will to him. Therefore, use him daily, 

 cherish him thoughtfully, treat him rationally, 

 and never fear the " bugaboo " of the fatalities 

 attending the acclimatizing of the " green " coun- 

 try horse. 



80 



