104 THE HORSE. 



eellent winter patient to the farrier. To acquire a 

 decent knowledge of stable discipline and the adroit 

 and skilful use of the currycomb, the brush, the 

 w r hisp, and the scissars, a year or two, at least, is 

 necessary in a regular stable ; of such, the turf and 

 hunting stables stand at the head, and good grooming 

 is to be found in the upper class of livery stables in 

 the metropolis. 



On the grand point noted above, the master's atten- 

 tion to the article of feeding, I can speak feelingly, 

 though from a remote period. I had a groom, 

 who, in a stable to himself, looked after two hacks, 

 when a neighbour, somewhat at the latest, gave me 

 information that my man had, during many months, 

 carried on a considerable trade with a Smithfield 

 jobber, the articles being my hay and corn. I took 

 this fellow before a magistrate, but contrived to de- 

 cline a prosecution, thinking it full enough to be 

 fleeced by these rascals in the first instance, without 

 being fleeced a second time by the law. Again, on 

 the legs and feet, I remember an old Newmarket man 

 saying to a young stable lad in London, " Take care 

 of your horse's legs and feet, his other parts will take 

 care of themselves." In the running stables, and 

 indeed in considerable hunts, a boy or lad is required 

 to every horse, all being under the inspection of the 

 head or training groom; but in the common way, a 

 groom will look after a couple of hunters or hacks. 

 There is little regularity generally in cart stables, but 

 the care of four horses is labour sufficient for one 

 diligent and able man. Of the discipline of military 

 stables, and of the riding school, I know nothing 



