Stable Management. 131 



over their horses thoroughly, clothe, put the 

 stable neat after sweeping out all manure, 

 throw down a light clean layer of straw, rack up, 

 and leave for outside duties. At noon, corn, hay, 

 and water are given to resting horses, and the 

 stable again locked up. Other animals coming 

 from work are fed and dressed on arrival. 



At four o'clock it is the custom in some stables 

 to feed again with corn ; the plan in the main is 

 very good. At seven or eight o'clock each horse 

 has his clothing removed, is carefully wiped down, 

 and reclothed. Clean or dry straw is thrown 

 down for bedding, the stable utensils carefully put 

 away, and water, corn, and hay supplied. Collar 

 chains, head collars, and halters should be care- 

 fully examined, in order to test their security for 

 horses tied up with them. 



See that in loose boxes there are no gas brackets 

 at which the horse can get. It has been known 

 that playful animals have turned on the gas and 

 caused their own death from its inhalation during 

 the night. Boys should be cautioned against 

 leaving pails in stalls or boxes, unless specially 

 ordered and required. 



Among cart horses, cab horses, &c., which re- 

 main an uncertain length of time from the 

 stable, the nose-bag is of great service. It has, 

 however, defects, one of the most important 

 being detrimental to respiration. The material 

 of which it is usually made is strong and of too 

 close texture; a coarser and pervious material 



