14 The Practical Stud Groom. 



stud groom's armoury for combating trouble amongst his 

 charges. Certain it is that many a devastating epidemic of 

 " coughing " has been nipped in the bud and prevented 

 from spreading by the precaution of " quarantining " for a 

 few days every new arrival before permitting it to mingle 

 with the rest of the stock. Where "ideality" is sought 

 regardless of cost, it would be necessary to have separate 

 buildings erected at a considerable distance from each other 

 to serve respectively as " Sick " and " Isolation " quarters. 

 In the event of a fresh arrival developing fever in the isola- 

 tion boxes, it would scarcely be wise or fair to instal the 

 next arrival in the same block of boxes. Obviously the 

 proper course to pursue immediately on the outbreak of 

 dangerous symptoms would be to remove the patient to the 

 actual sick quarters, and to submit the "isolation" box 

 vacated to a thorough disinfection and fumigation before 

 allowing another animal to occupy it. 



While on the subject of isolation, the author would like 

 to draw attention to a common practice which often places 

 the stud groom in an awkward position. Some owners, when 

 dealing with a barren mare that is on the list of a public 

 stallion, keep the mare at home till she comes " in season." 

 She is forthwith sent-oft', and arrives accompanied with an 

 intimation from the owner that she is quite ready for 

 " service." The stud groom is at once placed on the horns 

 of a dilemma. He is anxious to please the patron, and at 

 the same time guard his employer's interests. He knows 

 the mare is fresh from contact with dirty railway horse- 

 boxes, steamers, and shipping company's stables. He knows 

 that three or four days must elapse before he can be sure 

 that the mare has come scathless through these hot-beds of 

 infectious horse ailments, and he is equally aware that at the 

 end of those four days the mare will in all probability be 



