108 Centaur ; 



thouglits being the poor horse. A sharp trot is expected 

 to warm the animal, which has to be pulled up again for 

 another starving spell during the transaction of the owner's 

 business. It cannot be said that any man would, or could, 

 wilfully neglect his faithful companion as above shown, but 

 it is the result of sheer want of thought, or carelessness, 

 which is equally blameable ; the same man will be most 

 particular in stopping every crevice and hole in the stable 

 on returning home, to (as he thinks) prevent draughts, 

 whereas he is excluding the air that is necessary to the 

 preservation of the health and life of the horse. 



The clothing sheet proper (say the ** Newmarket'^) should 

 reach within 9 or 10 inches of the croup, and be made to 

 fit easily and nicely round the neck, and should be duly 

 strengthened at the chine and double at the wearing parts. 

 If a horse be overloaded with clothing in the stable, he is 

 much more susceptible to cold outside ; in fact, everything 

 connected with the " Turn Out" depends more or less upon 

 the discretion and judgment of the owner. Most good 

 stables have diiFerent systems, and in many cases they will 

 be found admirably adapted to their individual surroundings. 



The body roller and surcingle are an important part of 

 the clothing suit, and, like the head-collar, should never be 

 buckled tight. Knee-caps are useful for exercising valuable 

 horses, but are not considered any improvement to the 

 appearance of the " Turn Out.'* 



The shoes demand the regular attention of the groom, 

 and the feet should be carefully examined every morning, 

 and listened to occasionally during the drives. The horse's 

 shoes require changing on the average once a month, but 

 much depends upon the nature or kind of work the horse 

 is engaged upon. The heavy waggon horse does not wear 

 out his shoes so fast as the hackney. Speed grinds shoes 

 down mu'"h quicker than steady draught. Many a horse 

 has been lamed and crippled by careless or indiscriminate 

 shoeing, but where the farrier is an acknowledged practical 

 man, and known to make a study of his business, his judg- 

 ment should not be subjected to dictation, but appealed to 

 in any particular case ; it will then secure his most careful 

 attention. Heavy shoes are not considered any advantage, 

 as they tire the horse. It is always very necessary to 

 exercise great care in paring and rasping the feet, and 

 the less nails used (compatible with wear and tear) the 



