Stable Management. 147 



the stable in the morning, excepting of course 

 while horses are eating their provender and when 

 required to go out to exercise. 



A good daily grooming is absolutely necessary 

 independent of that which is required after com- 

 ing from work. Those animals which have not 

 been out of the stable since exercise need only 

 their clothing removed, dressed with the cloth rub- 

 ber, and reclothed. 



The operation should if possible be always 

 conducted in an outhouse or shed for the pur- 

 pose. Grooming in stables is prejudicial, and 

 should be avoided on the score of health. 



Washing the Legs. The use of water in wash- 

 ing horses' legs is often very much abused. 

 Without care nothing produces more inconve- 

 nience. 



In many places the blessings of pure water 

 have been extolled and received as a cure almost 

 for everything, and, acting upon the belief, the 

 converts imagine that they " cannot have coo 

 much of a good thing." Results are, however, 

 against the supposition. The evil consequences 

 are, cracked heels, swelled legs, grease, &c., all of 

 which may be avoided in ninety-five cases out of 

 a hundred. 



In many stables visited by the writer, the 

 horses when returning from work, cold, tired, and 

 hungry, are compelled to stand some minutes 

 while each leg, almost to the middle of the body 

 in very dirty weather, is drenched with water from 



