VI CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VI. 



PAGH 



History of the colts in the trial stable. May-daj'. Hirondelle. Disadvantages 

 of a half-mile track for training. Width of track.-^Importance of a horse 

 learning to recover from a break without swerving. Best soil for a track. 

 Mavourneen. Oriole. "Four white feet and a white nose." Lexington and 

 Sallie Waters. Lexington at the St. Louis Fair. Clamor about horses break- 

 ing. Advantages gained in teaching a horse to go without breaking. King. 

 Pedigree and description. Wildness when a colt. Failure of knee straps .... 70 



CHAPTER VII. 



Remarks about May weather. The beauty of the American climate contrasted 

 with that of England. The walk to the blacksmith's shop. A trainer's prac- 

 tice of giving his horses hard work. Walking. The reasons why horses are 

 walked in training. The benefits and damages from carrying it too far. 

 Amount of clothing required when walking. Remarks of the Preceptor on 

 shoeing. The plan he formerly followed. The system adopted, and the reasons 

 for the change. The swedged shoe, and a "low hold" for the nails. Proper 

 form for the hind shoe to guard against cutting the quarters. Preparing the 

 foot to receive the shoe. The wall of the foot only, allowed to be cut. Black- 

 smiths not to be permitted to do a " finished job " by rasping the outside of 

 the foot. The weight of Never Mind's shoe, and the precautions taken 

 against "grabbing." Snatching a horse when in a break the frequent cause 

 of cutting the quarters and striking the knee. The evils of a short mar- 

 tingale. The reasons for wearing a light hind shoe. Difference between shoes 

 and plates, and the effects of weight in the shoe on the action of the horse. 

 Making the sides of the shoe of unequal weight. The reasons for so doing. 

 Treatment recommended for injury to the knee from having been struck. 

 Loss of a fine colt from the shoeing inducing the lock-jaw 89 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Hot ley to a punctured foot a preventive of lock-jaw. Importance of stable 

 management to forward condition. Division and arrangement of the horses. 

 Grooming. Can be carried too far. Value of a good groom. Sweating 

 facilitates the removal of the dandruff. Arrangement of the stalls. Fur- 

 niture and necessary articles, and how to take care of them. Rules to be ob- 

 served by the stablemen. Qualification and encouragement of the boys. 



Instance of cruelty in a groom. Hair mittens How to rub a horse 



Material for rubbers. The wisp. Skewers, and their uses. Bandages. 

 Thoroughbreds for trotters. The use of bandages. Wet and dry bandages. 

 When the legs are swollen, how they should be applied. Reasons for employing 



wet bandages How to apply a bandage Uses of, when a horse is at exercr'so. 



Benefits of pressure to reduce swelling. Clothing. The quantity to be 

 used. The kind needed for sweating. Care of the clothing Decoration. 

 Order and sobriety essential in all those who are employed in the stable. 

 Necessity for condition in race horses impei-ative. The effects of sweating 

 must be studied. " Washy" and " baked " horses. The setting muzzle 



