FfTTiXGs OF Stables. 



505 



Two blankets arc warmer than one heavy cloth. 



There sliould always be a sufficient number of sets of bandages of both flannel and linen. 



Flannel Bandages save time in drying wet legs, and are partly a substitution for hand- 

 rubbing ; by their warmth they act as a mild fomentation, reducing inflammation and 

 swelling. But many very practical men object to their use after the legs have become dry, unless 

 the horse is ill. 



When they have been rolled on wet legs they should be removed as soon as dry, or 

 they will cause injurious heat. 



Linen Bandages, wet, and kept wet, are useful in cases of bruises or inflammation from 

 other causes. Unless a groom's time can be punctually given to keep them wet they will 

 do harm. An india-rubber water bottle, with a narrow tube, may be so arranged as to drop 

 water on bandages for a whole day, if the horse is made fast to pillar reins. 



Bandages should only be put on tight when it is necessarj^ to reduce windgalls or other 

 soft swellings. 



Those bandages only meant for warmth, or to protect a young horse against thorns and 

 bangs in the cub-hunting season, should be rolled on just tight enough to prevent their slipping 

 down, and no more. It should be impressed on grooms, who generally put bandages on too 

 tightly "that each succeeding fold increases the pressure of those below." The art of 

 putting on bandages properly should be carefully learned by every young groom. Bandages 

 are expensive to purchase in sets. Where they are much used, the cheaper plan is 

 to purchase a large piece of the material, have it cut up into sets, and sewn by one of 

 the grooms' wives or in the village girls' school. The saving will be in proportion of some- 

 thing like sixpence to two shillings. Two sets of bandages at least are required for each 

 horse bandaged, because one should always be dry, and there should be some sets in reserve 

 in the horse-clothing drawer for emergencies. 



When a horse returns, wet and weary, after a severe day's work of any kind, clothing 

 warmly and bandaging his chilled extremities, after gentle 

 dressing, with appropriate food, a loose box, fresh air, and a 

 soft bed, are the most important means of restoration. 



Grooms should be made to understand that although 

 draughts are injurious, horses will be poisoned in a hothouse- 

 like stable, and may be kept in capital condition in the coldest 

 dry stable if they are warmly clothed. The average temperature 

 should be between 45° and 50" of Fahrenheit, or a little 

 warmer in winter than the outside air. If it smells hot, it 

 is too hot. A registering thermometer hung up in a stable of 

 valuable horses will be a useful silent witness for the horse 

 owner. 



Headstalls and Ties. — The accompanying wood engraving is 

 a good pattern for one, and will keep in its place, and cannot 

 be easily rubbed off, although some " rogues " will pull anything 

 over their heads, except a collar. Care should be taken that 

 the headstall fits, especially that the frontlet or forehead band 

 is not too short, and does not chafe the roots of the ears. 

 A horse should wear a headstall in a loose box, or even if turned out to graze for a few 

 hours in a paddock, because it presents an easy way of holding him when needful. The 

 M M M 



HEADSTALL AND TIE. 



