STABLE ROUTINE. '85 



of consideration. For use with a number of horses, a 

 blade, resembling that of an adze, but broader, may be 

 let into a block of wood 4 or 5 Ifcs in weight. 



Bots. During the autumn months, the bot-fly is very 

 apt to lay its eggs on the chest and forelegs of horses, 

 especially if the animals be kept much in the open, as 

 when on the march. These eggs adhere to the hair, and, 

 though very minute, may readily be recognised by their 

 bright yellow colour, and by their position, which is 

 chosen by the fly, so that the horse may easily lick them 

 off, and thus convey them into his stomach. During 

 these months, syces should be most careful to examine 

 their horses after they come in from exercise, and pick off 

 any of those eggs they may detect. 



Stable Routine. The system, applicable to race horses, 

 should be the one pursued with all valuable animals, un- 

 der the modifications that necessity or convenience may 

 dictate. I may describe it as follows : 



At day-break, the horse is given about a gallon of 

 water, and after that a feed of about a pound of corn, 

 his clothing is taken off, and he is groomed lightly over. 

 The whole of the bedding should now be put outside, 

 aired and dried, while the dung and fouled litter should 

 be removed. The stable should be opened out for the 

 admittance of air and sunshine. On the horse's return 

 from work or exercise, say about 8 or 9 o'clock, he is 

 watered, groomed, and clothed according to the season. 

 His bedding is now neatly put down, and he is fed, and 

 given a full allowance of grass or hay, at the same time 

 as he gets his corn. The stable is now darkened, and he 

 is left to himself for three or four hours. Between twelve 



