RACEHORSES AND CHASERS. 383 



safely done, so as to avoid a violent transition from heat to 

 cold. If the bedding is of straw, it is well to place it outside, 

 so as to dry and air it. When this cannot be done, or when 

 the bedding is not straw, it can be put down in the box and 

 added to as may be required. The lad then goes to 

 breakfast, and has from an hour to an hour and a quarter off 

 duty. After that he goes to the box ; removes the clothing, if 

 it has been put on ; bridles the horse ; and takes him out at 

 from 8 to half-past 8, according to the time of the year or the 

 weather. After being exercised, the animal returns to the 

 stable at from half-past 10 to 1 1 o'clock. He is watered ; well 

 groomed ; clothed ; bandaged, if necessary ; and given his 

 corn and chop, or corn, before getting which he may have 

 a little hay (p. 85). He is supplied with water and hay, 

 and is let loose. If the horse is not given such a large 

 quantity of corn as will prevent him from eating his hay 

 greedily, it is advisable to let half an hour to an hour 

 elapse, after he has finished his corn, before giving him 

 hay. Every facility should be allowed an animal to lie 

 down during the day ; and consequently he shduld not 

 be racked up, except when he is being groomed or when he is 

 being got ready to go out. During the hour or hour and a 

 half which the lad has before his dinner (at I p.m.), he can 

 clean his saddlery, or attend to any of his other stable duties. 

 When a horse has the benefit of a walk in the afternoon, 

 which of course cannot be given unless there is a good supply 

 of help in the stable, he may be taken out and given his walk 

 between 3 and 6 o'clock, according to the season of the year. 

 He should get his third feed before this stroll, and should be 

 watered, groomed, fed, and given hay on his return. If he 

 does not go out in the afternoon, he will get his third feed at 

 about 3 o'clock ; his fourth feed, about 6 o'clock ; and in any 

 case he should be watered and fed for the last time at 10 p.m. 

 or later. When he has been given his third feed, the box 



