CHAPTER II 



general management of horses 



Introduction 



In the succeeding paragraphs the author will deal with 

 matters such as grooming, feeding, clipping, etc., 

 which appertain to the welfare of all classes of horses 

 working in both town and country, likewise those which 

 are turned out at pasture. Before, however, entering 

 into a brief consideration of these it may be worth while 

 to say a few words concerning certain minor features 

 ■associated with those who have to look after their horses. 

 To begin with, it is absolutely necessary that all 

 horse-masters, horse-keepers, coachmen, and grooms 

 should be early risers, be keen observers, and be capable 

 of exercising a reasonable degree of intelhgence : likewise, 

 when necessary, to act on their own initiative. Every 

 horse, no matter whether in the stable or out of it, has its 

 own individuality ; its likes and its dislikes ; its preference 

 for particular kinds of forage, and its hours for drinking 

 and for abstaining from drinking. All horses should 

 drink freely, and those which do so are usually the best 

 thrivers. AH horses should be good resters, which is also 

 conducive to thriftiness. There is a special arrangement 

 in connection with the mechanism of the fore limbs to 

 enable a horse to sleep in a standing attitude, nevertheless, 

 those which lie down thrive the best. In the management 

 of horses regularity of feeding is very necessary. Animals 

 are able to judge when feeding time arrives almost as 

 well as their attendants, and this remark applies equally 



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