118 



act as a warning to the animal after he has tried one or two expe- 

 riments. This, however, irritates some horses, and makes them 

 worse. 



Put upon them the common hobble used for brood mares. It 

 does not prevent their moving about, or getting up and down ; and 

 if it slips from between the fore-legs, in the horses rolling or other- 

 wise, it does not matter. Prefer padded straps with buckles for 

 that part which goes round the hind fetlocks to slip-knots, as being 

 less likely to chafe the skin ; and it is well to buckle them the first 

 few times alternately above and below the fetlock, to vary the part 

 rubbed. 



A wooden ball suspended to a strap round the leg above the fet- 

 lock will stop almost any horse in consequence of the pain given by 

 the blow on the leg which the loose ball gives. With very inveterate 

 kickers a strap may be buckled round the fetlock and carried through 

 a surcingle up to the head-stall. This soon tires any horse. 



Some advise that bladders should be fastened round the box. 



A few links of a heavy chain, or a ball and short chain buckled 

 above the fetlock, will generally stop horses from kicking in the 

 stable. 



ladies' horses, management of. 



Ladies' horses should be exercised by the groom every day, taking 

 care that he rides with a large plain snaffle, so as not to injure their 

 mouths. They cannot be made to look well without good feeding 

 (say at least three quarterns of oats daily), and if they have this 

 amount of corn they ought to have from two to three hours' walking 

 exercise every day, which is better given on turf to keep their legs 

 and feet fresh. If this time cannot be allowed, they may be steadily 

 trotted for an hour, and walked for half an hour. 



LOOSE BOX, SIZE OF. 



The area of a loose box should not be less for hunters than 120ft., 

 i.e., 13ft. or 14ft. long by 8ft. Gin. to Oft. broad. Of course for a very 

 large horse it should be longer ; for a horse above 16 hands make 

 the length 16ft. 



MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 



The outward signs of health are the following : When the horse 

 eats a moderate allowance of hay and corn with good but not 

 ravenous appetite ; when he drinks a moderate allowance of water ; 

 when his coat lies smooth, and feels soft and smooth to the hand ; 

 and when his exercise does not produce faintness, but rather stimu- 

 lates his appetite. The ventilation of a stable is the most important 



