STABLES. 109 



induce him to eat. The corn may just be damped by flipping 

 a little water over it, and four or five ounces of the meal then 

 added. 



The hard rider can scarcely expect to be carried satisfactorily 

 more than three days a fortnight, though a sound horse in good 

 condition may be brought out twice a week if not over-taxed ; 

 much, of course, depending upon the distance he has to go to 

 the meets. The treatment of the horse when he comes in from 

 hunting is a matter of the highest importance, for at this time, if 

 not properly cared for, harm of a more or less serious character 

 can very soon be done in several ways. A little oatmeal gruel 

 should first of all be given, but it is a mistake to provide this 

 too liberally. A large pailful of this gruel will distend the 

 animal and take away his healthy appetite. A gallon is quite 

 enough, and then, while he is being dressed, a little hay will 

 keep him occupied and be welcome. In most stables a 

 horse's legs are washed when he comes in ; but though this 

 may often do no harm, and in many cases does none, it is 

 very much better not to wash the legs at all. They should 

 be thoroughly brushed and rubbed, and may then judiciously 

 be wrapped in flannel bandages. Twenty-five years ago every 

 horse at Badminton was washed with warm water when he 

 came in from hunting, and mud fever all over the animals' legs, 

 bellies, and backs was hardly ever absent from the stables. A 

 remedy, or rather a means of prevention, was sought ; dry 

 brooms, wisps, and hand rubbing were tried ; and since the 

 adoption of this system, even in the wettest seasons, there has 

 been no case of the fever. The experience of so long a period, 

 and complete freedom from what was previously a standing 

 plague, must be held to prove the efficacy of the plan. Equally 

 beneficial results are reported from very numerous quarters 

 where the practice of washing has been abandoned. 



It is difficult to make white legs look quite clean without 

 using water, but if they must be washed the job should be 

 left till next morning, when they are cool — the legs having, 

 of course, been treated as already described when the horse 



