GROOMS. 339 



and the stable should be perfectly free from any taint. Many ignorant 

 or idle persons assert dirt to be preservative of health ; but if the reader 

 will experiment with a little cleanliness, he may afterward be trusted to 

 decide upon the merit of the opposite extreme. While the grooms are 

 walking the horses the stable-boys can cleanse the boxes, and these 

 places being warmed during winter, there is no peril to be anticipated 

 from excess of moisture, though inconvenience may be experienced in 

 consequence of its deficiency. 



The stable thus regulated is not only a safer, but it is a more health- 

 ful abode for horses. Another advantage is gained by keeping the 

 building perfectly vacant — no excuse is then ever ready to justify the 

 intrusion of idlers. When groom and horses reside under one roof, 

 such an order cannot be insisted upon ; but when each has a distinct 

 home, the man's visitors evidently have no business within the master's 

 offices. Yulgar people are apt to become excited by the presence of 

 numbers, and to illustrate their dexterity upon the quadrupeds, which 

 cannot comprehend that action to be intended for play, when their part 

 in the amusement generally calls on the creatures to endure. Moreover, 

 grooms are fond of dogs ; some of their pets are rem^kable for ferocity. 

 Nor does the educated savagery of the canine species form the only 

 objection to their presence ; these animals have a tendency to exhibit a 

 fearful disease, to inoculation from M^hich the horse is very susceptible. 



Cleanliness, quietude, and regularity should prevail in every stable. 

 Where one horse alone is kept, the groom should be placed over a lad; 

 for a stable cannot be well managed by one pair of hands. The door 

 of the building should be unlocked punctually at six o'clock. The horse 

 should be inspected, to see that no mishap has occurred during the night; 

 after which the animal, at present, receives the earliest feed of corn, mixed 

 with two pounds of clover hay cut into chaff, the whole having been 

 steamed or macerated. While this is being consumed, the night clothes 

 should be removed ; the unsoiled straw divided from the soiled bedding ; 

 the clothes should be spread out to become perfectly dry; the exposed 

 body of the animal should be again thoroughly inspected ; stopping 

 (when used) taken from the feet ; the water renewed ; the feet looked 

 to ; the clinches of the nails, which fasten on the shoes, should be felt ; 

 the unsoiled bed heaped into one corner of the box ; the day clothes put 

 on ; and those things generally attended to which are required to give 

 the place a smart appearance. 



Seven o^clock. — The day clotlies are either allowed to remain, are 

 changed for lighter sheets, or are entirely removed, according to the 

 weather: the horse is bridled, and the animal is led forth to one hour's 

 exercise ; the helper or the stable-boy throws every outlet open ; puts 



