FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



tion and respiration are tranquil and the water has 

 the chill off. In fact, in all dealings with horses 

 disregard tradition and hearsay, and be governed 

 by common-sense and ordinary intelligence. 



Toward the securing of first-class " condition " 

 nothing is more essential than properly cared for 

 teeth and regularly assimilated food and drink ; 

 toward its maintenance nothing is more indispen- 

 sable, if the season is long, the roads and loads 

 heavy, and the drivers changeable and not crack 

 performers, than the proper use of powerful tonics 

 like quinine and arsenic, especially quinine. This 

 will cause expressions of indignation, perhaps ; but 

 if so, it will come from people who have never had 

 to keep low-bred horses on their feet and in good 

 condition throughout hot weather at this most 

 exhausting work ; or who, if they have done so 

 successfully, have profited by the use of tonics 

 administered without their knowledge. Properly 

 used (mark " properly used "), no drugs are more 

 generally and directly beneficial or more harmless. 

 Horses need change of scene and the oftener 

 the better. However, every coachman quickly 

 finds this out, for there is nothing more monoto- 

 nous than driving teamxS that know their run to 

 an inch, cutting all corners and quickening or 



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