1054 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK xn. 



bringing them into the stable has been proved to be the chief source 

 of grease, therefore, on no account, no matter how muddy they may 

 be, should this be allowed. If the animals are dirty, the thickest 

 mud may be scraped away, and the rest rubbed oif when dry. 

 Changes of food must be made gradually. The stables should be 

 well ventilated, but free from draughts, especially about the horse's 

 heels ; the litter should be kept fresh and sweet, and on no account 

 left to ferment. Good grooming is essential to the general comfort of 

 the animals, but special attention should be given to those places where 

 the harness touches, or they will be constantly wet with perspiration, 

 and will quickly become raw. Many young horses are broken in at this 

 season ; those 2| years old, if well grown, may be put to light work for a 

 month or two, and then turned out for the winter, so that they may be 

 taken up again in spring, when they will be able to take full work in 

 light implements. If they are to be turned up in winter it is best not 

 to accustom them to a warm stable, but merely to a comfortable yard, 

 or they are likely to suffer when the change is effected on the eve of 

 winter. Backward foals should be weaned. They will do best if 

 allowed a run on grass at all seasons, but they should have a shed 

 where they can be fed, and where they can get out of the wet. Always 

 keep salt by horses : if it is not mixed with the chaff, a lump should be 

 placed where they can lick it as they wish. 



NOVEMBER. 



Autumn cultivation can rarely be carried on after October, and as 

 wheat seeding should be nearly finished, there is not much to do on 

 the land beyond ploughing. The days are short and the horses are 

 not required to do extra long days' work, and will therefore need 

 nothing beyond ordinary rations ; still, as the fallow ploughings are 

 generally deep and heavy it is a mistake to keep horses short of food, 

 for stinting in food undermines their constitution far mote than is 

 generally recognised. It is a common practice in some districts not to 

 curtail the corn, but to substitute pea-haulm, and barley-cavings if 

 there is a fair amount of clover in them, for the hay, and if a few roots 

 are given it is with satisfactory results. Be careful with in-foal mares 

 that they are not put to shaft work, or allowed to back, as actions such 

 as these frequently cause them to slip their foals. Young horses which 

 have been used during wheat-seeding may be turned loose in pastures, 

 or kept in yards : take care that there is no low shed against which they 

 might knock their heads, as more poll-evil results from this than from 

 all other causes put together. Young colts yarded during winter may 

 receive cavings, rough but sweet hay, a few roots, or any other 

 convenient coarse food, and will grow all the better for a little corn in 

 addition, but, if they are not wanted for show purposes, from a quarter 

 to half a peck of oats is sufficient. If they are being forced they 

 must be watched to see that they do not get humoury, and an 

 occasional mild ball, or opening food, should be given. Keep strict 

 watch on the men tending horses lest they use arsenic or other violent 

 drugs, as the practice of drugging is carried on to an alarming extent. 



