STALLIONS, BROOD MARES AND FOALS. 105 



put him in condition for the stud. The whole 

 secret of successful preparation, lies in a few 

 words. Let him be well and regularly fed on 

 healthy, nutritious food, with plenty of exer- 

 cise every day, to keep his muscles firm and 

 hard, and let him be well groomed, so that his 

 coat may present a fine appearance. The skin 

 should be kept thoroughly clean by occasional 

 washing and frequent brushing and rubbing. 

 The mane and tail should be especially looked 

 after, with reference to cleanliness of the skin. 

 If very dirty, soap may be freely used in the 

 cleansing process; and when this is faithfully 

 attended to there will be but little danger of 

 having a fine tail or mane ruined by rubbing. 



The food should mainly be good, sound oats 

 nothing is better; but this should be varied 

 by an occasional ration of corn or barley; for 

 horses, like men, are fond of variety in their 

 food, and an occasional change of diet is condu- 

 cive to health. Wheat bran is an invaluable 

 adjunct to the grain ration, and can never be 

 dispensed with. It is the cheapest, safest and 

 best of all regulators for the bowels, and it is 

 especially rich in some of the most important 

 elements of nutrition. No specific directions 

 as to the quantity of food can be given. Some 

 horses will require nearly twice as much as 

 others; and the quantity that may be safely 

 given will depend somewhat upon the amount 



