14 THE CARE OF HORSES 



there, oil the hoofs, and be careful not to put any oil 

 on the coronets or hair above the hoof. Your horse 

 ought then to be ' as clean as a whistle,' perfectly 

 comfortable, with a good, healthy glow of warmth, 

 and a fine gloss on his coat — fit for a military inspec- 

 tion. This daily dressing, which is not so tiresome 

 to do as it is to read about, will save labour and give 

 your horse a fine, satin-like coat, and it will do your 

 heart good to look at him. Thoroughly shake your 

 rugs outside the stable and replace them, putting them 

 a few inches too forward, fasten the breast-strap, and 

 from the rear or back of your horse slowly and 

 firmly draw them backwards into place ; by so doing 

 you do not ruffle or misplace the horse's coat. 



Shake down a little litter evenly over the floor and 

 'set fair'; that is, sprinkle a little fresh, clean straw 

 or sawdust down over what you have already re- 

 placed, make the edge even by twirling it under with 

 both hands to tuck in stray straws, and sweep all the 

 remaining floor behind the stalls, leaving nothing 

 lying about ; put your brushes, curry-comb, etc., into 

 water to soak until later in the morning, and then 

 have a wash, put on your coat, and go and have your 

 breakfast. 



The Morning's Orders 



Breakfast over, 8.30 a.m., take off your coat and 

 be ready for orders. 



Take your skip — either a zinc or basket one ; zinc 

 is the better of the two, being easier to keep clean 

 and sweet — and go from stall to stall and pick up 

 any manure you find lying at the rear of your horses, 

 and just put the straw or sawdust straight and neat 

 again. Repeat this in the loose-boxes also. Always 

 pick up droppings as soon as you see them. Carry 

 out the skip and empty it into the manure-pit; never 



