24 KEEPING. 



horse has fallen into the hands of one that has observed 

 plain and simple treatment — the horse that previous to 

 the chanije never was more than second or third best, 

 has run with more than anticipated success. 



But many old and ignorant grooms who have never 

 been benefited by experience, and all the knowledge 

 they possess have been handed to them by persons 

 equally ignorant with themselves, are under a belief, 

 that unless a horse swallows a certain number of wind 

 balls, that it is impossible he can win a race ; added 

 to which, they are extremely superstitious, and some, 

 even at the present day, confide in tricks and witch- 

 craft. It is to be much regretted that a good horse 

 snouid e^^er fall into the hands of such blockheads. 



The first thing necessary in the keeping a race horse 

 is, a good log stable, about fifteen feet square : then 

 provide a plenty of good and sweet old corn, fodder, 

 and oats, and a sufficient quantity of clean and dry 

 straw, to change his bed every two or three days. 



Most horses, when first taken up for the purpose of 

 being kept, require bleeding ; which a groom can 

 always be a judge of from the appearance of the ani- 

 mal. Good cloths, girts, &c. should be provided and 

 kept on the horse, except at the hours for rubbing, 

 which should be regularly three times a day ; in the 

 morning, and evening after practice, and at twelve 

 o'clock ; for which purpose a curry-comb, brush, straw 

 and a large woollen cloth, must be provided and well 

 used. Good rubbing assists in putting a horse in order, 

 and places on his skin a beautiful gloss. His legs 

 must be washed three times a day in clear cold water, 

 after which they must be rubbed dry with straw, and 

 the naked hand rubbed over the ancles and pasterns, 

 until a small degree of warmth is felt. The stable 

 should be kept perfectly clean. 



