338 - GROOMS. 



verity. Animals Avith tender hides suffer so acutely under this affliction, 

 that lamentable consequences have been caused by that despetation 

 which the torture has induced. It is better to adopt gentler means, 

 when these are more certain and more effectual than any restraints can 

 possibly be rendered, while the curry-comb is retained. 



Having so far changed the habits of the stable as to prevent the 

 groom from riding on all occasions — having brought the man to believe 

 that, where strength is not required, articles made of wood or of horn 

 are as useful as tools manufactured out of iron — having convinced him 

 of the folly exemplified by the employment of such very energetic lan- 

 guage to an animal, — there yet remains something more to be accom- 

 plished. Small respect is evinced by sullen demeanor. The man, having 

 acknowledged the entrance of his master, should proceed with his ordi- 

 nary work, until the voice of hife employer calls his attention from it, or 

 desires his presence elsewhere. This the domestic ought to comprehend 

 and to acknowledge before he is required to exemplify it by his actions. 

 The servant must be also taught to remove pails, cloths, or instruments 

 from the stable the instant such articles are no longer employed. Thus 

 those unsightly objects, as stopping-box, dirty rags, soiled bottles, forks, 

 brooms, sticks, etc., which now usually litter such places, would be 

 totally banished into obscurity. 



These things should never be suffered to remain after they are no 

 longer needed. Grooms often acquire a habit of striking their charges ; 

 this practice is likely to be encouraged by the means of chastisement 

 being always ready to the hand. Insist that the interior be kept in- 

 variably clear; that all tools are brought into the stable as required, 

 and are carried thence when no longer employed. Jars, bottles, etc. 

 should never be allowed to accumulate, under a pretense that such 

 refuse may prove useful on some future occasion, or may hereafter be 

 sold as a legitimate perquisite. Forbid the insertion of nails or hooks 

 into the walls ; for such projections have occasioned fearful rents in a 

 horse's body; and so have the sharp edges formed by the building, 

 whether these are of brick, of wood, or of iron : all should be very 

 carefully rounded, for this last precaution being unheeded has induced 

 lamentable injuries. 



In a properly-regulated stable, water should be abundant, and ought 

 to be freely employed. Grooms dislike this. At present, even books 

 are written which, as an innovation upon confirmed habits, seriously 

 propose that the flooring of stalls should be washed once a week. The 

 author recommends that the loose boxes should be thoroughly flooded 

 every morning, and that, while this is done, they also should be well 

 scrubbed with a stiff birch broom. The pavement ought to look clean, 



