GROOM ING-STALLS. 107 



becomes sticky as wax, matting the hair together. This, 

 however, when the stable is situated close to the track 

 need never occur, the scraper taking it off before it is al- 

 lowed to cool. There is one drawback to the benefit sweat- 

 ing confers in lessening the labor of grooming. The per- 

 spiration not only removes the dandruff, but also the oily 

 matter that gives the gloss to the hair. A fresh secretion 

 takes place, the wisping or rubbing stimulating the 

 vessels and encouraging the flow. Should this be ne- 

 glected, the hair has a harsh feel and a dry appearance, 

 which, if it does not arise from a neglect of grooming, be- 

 tokens a want of condition, the source of which will be 

 often difficult to discover. There are times when the labor 

 of two men is required on one horse, when giving a sweat, 

 a trial, or after a race. We will arrange the days of 

 sweating so that we can call in the help of our other 

 classes, and the. men mutually assisting each other, there 

 will be no lack of help. 



I spoke of grooming and rubbing being overdone. When 

 horses are fussed over too much, the time they ought to 

 be at rest is broken in upon, and more injury results 

 from this than benefit from the extra care. The want of 

 box stalls in this stable is partially compensated by there 

 being plenty of room for three in each compartment, di- 

 vided by partitions that are strongly put up. These par- 

 titions are deep, so that there is no danger, when a horse 

 is lying down, of the hind legs getting beyond the heel- 

 post. The feeding boxes are hung on staples driven into 

 the wall, so that the box can be removed when the animal 

 has eaten the feed. The hay we place on the floor, where 

 it will all be picked up, and suits horses better than when 

 put in a manger. The stalls are so wide that the horses 

 can be dressed in them, and there is a space eight feet 

 wide between the heel-post and the wall. The furniture 

 consists of a cot bed for the man to sleep in, which can be 



