122 STRAW BEDS FOR HORSES 



they have been a sufficient time at exercise, as for 

 an hour or more, they may take their water (with 

 the chill well taken off), which the groom has pre- 

 viously ordered to be got ready in their buckets, 

 and placed on the top of the troughs in the stable- 

 yard. On their return to the paddock, after being 

 watered, the boys should be ordered to keep fast 

 hold of their heads, merely to collect them a 

 little; and then, by pressing with their legs, or, 

 if necessary, striking them with their heels, to 

 move them on briskly for a few minutes in a very, 

 very slow gallop, ^merely for the purpose of what 

 is called '*^ warming their water," or otherwise 

 preventing them from becoming chilly after tak- 

 ing it, when they are to be pulled up into a walk, 

 and continue at this sort of exercise until the 

 groom orders them into the stable; where, after 

 being fed and dressed, they are to remain for the 

 day. 



The horses having now become a little fa- 

 miliar with the paddock and straw bed, on the 

 next and following days (if fine over head) they 

 are to be exercised here during the frost, as 

 they would be were they to go on the downs, 

 only with this difference, that of making allow- 

 ances for the confined situation in which they 



