A GOOD HEAD LAD INDISPENSABLE. 



CHAPTER IV. 



STABLE MANAGEMENT {continued). 



Value of regularity — A good head lad indispensable — Occupations of the trainer 

 — Duties of the head lad — Food and its qualities — English oats preferred, and 

 reasons — Hay mu-t come from good land — Good food the only food — Mr. 

 Clark on feeding and on soiling, and criticism of his remarks — Feeding in 

 past times and to-day — Water and its qualities — Mr. Clark thereon — Rain- 

 water in tanks the best, and reasons — Need of frequent examination of feet 

 and legs ; use of bandages condemned — Evils of inattention to this — Value of 

 neatness and regularity. 



Punctuality in the hours and attention to stable manage- 

 ment are all-important, for on them rests the ultimate condition 

 of the race-horse when brought out to run. All the manage- 

 ment in the world out of doors will not compensate for, nor 

 rectify, mistakes made within ; so where both are not done 

 thoroughly, evil results must follow. It is therefore indis- 

 pensable that the trainer should have a man who is capable of 

 managing the indoor department as well as of attending the 

 horses at exercise in the absence of the principal. 



If it is absolutely requisite, to be successful, that horses must 

 be und«jp the charge of a skilful and attentive trainer, one who 

 knows how much or little work is required to be done by each 

 and every horse and the best time to give it, (and the proposi- 

 tion will hardly be controverted), it is equally necessary that 

 he should have a good man at the head of the stable depart- 



