118 STRAW BEDS FOR HORSES 



long straw-like sort of dung is to be formed, 

 should be five yards in breadth ; and, if arranged 

 agreeably to the annexed Platte, the corners be- 

 ing left well out, as laid down in the Plan, the 

 turns at the top and bottom, or each end, of the 

 paddock, will be safe and easy for the horses to 

 make, if proper boys are put up to ride them at 

 such times as they may be going to sweat here. 

 It is to be observed, that, where there is a large 

 establishment of horses, there is also, if it is not 

 too often removed, a sufficient portion of long 

 dung always at hand for the making the sort of 

 beds we want in the paddock, which is to be 

 of the breadth, as just noticed, of five yards. 

 This artificial surface is to be thick enough, not 

 only to give the horses good foot-hold, but also 

 to prevent any concussion taking place in their 

 feet when they have to sweat here from the hard- 

 ness of the ground. In case of a fall of snow, 

 there is nothing more to be done than for the 

 boys to brush the snow off the middle of the bed ; 

 and when the latter gets much worn from use, the 

 edges of it may be brushed into the centre, and, 

 if necessary, more long dung can be added. The 

 bed may now be supposed to be properly arranged 

 for the horses to commence their walking exer- 

 cise upon, which they should daily continue for a 



