OR, The Turn Out. 



23 



THE " THOROUGH GEOOM." 



"Achievement is command.'* 



HE " Thorough Groom " Is the man that 

 takes a pride in his steed, and that alone 

 is the test, whether it be the paid servant 

 or the owner of the horse ; it being 

 equally important that the master should 

 do his duty, when he undertakes it, as 

 well as the man. The business of horse- 

 keeping should not be skimmed o\er or 

 carelessly treated by the employer or his 

 employes. Thought must be taken not to 

 be prompted to adopt all the complicated 

 and expensive experiments that are fre- 

 quently suggested and advertised, and which in some cases do 

 not mean economy or improvement, but anxiety and reduction 

 in the market value of the horse and its surroundings. 



Is it not a real pleasure to see the very easy and syste- 

 matic manner in which the thoughtful and cheerful groom 

 goes about his work, and the perfect understanding that 

 exists between man and horse. " Mutual feeling " and 

 obedience are brought about by nothing so easily as regular 

 habits on the part of the groom — doing everything in the 

 right way and at the proper time — no noise, no irritation, 

 but constant rule and steady firmness makes the obedient 

 and thriving horse ; and it must be noted that early rising 

 is the first sign of a genuine groom. 



If the inexperienced owner cannot or does not care to 

 avail himself of the services of a thoroughly practical groom, 

 he should pay an occasional visit to some of the good studs 

 in his locality, where he will always find example, and 

 advice can be given which will tend greatly to aid him in 

 the amateur regulations of his own stable, and make that 

 which has previously been to him a toil, a really healthy 

 pleasure. One of the most important principles of good 

 grooming and driving is good temper — an irritable man not 

 only irritates himself but all around him. 



The writer's business engagements frequently call him 

 Into the mines, and it is always a very pleasurable sight to 

 see the wonderful control exercised over the strong, well- 



