6 THE CARE OF HORSES 



rein the horse reared, and continued to do so each 

 time he was approached by that particular rider. 

 That horse will never forget him even years hence. 



But enough ; one could yarn on about horses for 

 ever and still leave much to be told. And we must 

 get to business. 



CHAPTER II 



A DAY'S WORK IN THE STABLE 



Regularity and Cleanliness often spell one Word — 



Health 



' An hour in the morning is worth two at night.' 

 Begin early ; 6 a.m. is never too early to start work 

 in an ordinary way. If a horse has to start his first 

 journey at 8 a.m., he ought to be well dressed and 

 have his morning feed well settled before he sets out. 

 Very well, then. Get up in good time, have your 

 cup of tea, and begin ; don't lounge along as if any 

 time will do. Move briskly ; open your stable-door 

 sharply. In the summer leave it open ; in cold or 

 wet weather close it again. And open the windows ; 

 give your horse or horses a clear and hearty ' Woa, 

 my beauties !' Then take a sharp look round to see 

 all is well — nothing broken during the night, no legs 

 caught up in the log-chain — in fact, see that all is as 

 it should be. Remember always horses understand. 

 Never lose sight of that fact. They know a good 

 groom from a bad one, a bully or thief from an 

 honest man, a cruel or brutal groom from a kindly 

 one, and behave accordingly. I have often stood 

 by horses confided to my care whilst they are being 

 saddled, bridled, or even harnessed and put into the 

 shafts, when they have stood as still as possible. 

 They knew that I would allow no rough usage ; but 



