244 CONFESSIONS OF A HOBSE DEALEB. 



also roll up the horse's bed in a morning, and cram it 

 under the manger, and thus keep it under the horse's 

 nose all day, and often prevent him from feeding, in 

 place of taking it clear out of the stable, shaking it well 

 up, and mixing with clean straw to sweeten it. 



6th. When his horses are brought in reeking with 

 perspiration, he will sponge them all over and wash 

 their legs with cold water and then leave them to dry, 

 while he fills his own belly and smokes his pipe, in 

 place of instantly stripping his coat and vest, first coax- 

 ing his horses to stale, and then wisping them with 

 straw from head to heel, until they are dry, wash out 

 their mouths, give them a lock of the sweetest hay, and 

 then, leaving them, refresh himself. After which he will 

 return, without loss of time, and complete the grooming, 

 water, feed, bed down, and leave them to their often 

 much-needed rest. 



7th. On mounting his master's saddle-horse for ex- 

 ercise, he will instantly apply the whip or spurs, and tear 

 the reins about, as if the horse's mouth was made of 

 iron; and this will be his readiest means of making the 

 horse restive and unsteady while his master mounts him. 



8th. He will invariably spur, check his horse's 

 mouth, and curse him, while at exercise, for any little 

 infirmity, as if it were vice more especially for shying 

 whether the cause be a natural timidity, as in human 

 beings, defect in the eyesight, or a display of gaiety, 

 brought about by long confinement in the stable. 



9th. He will trim his horse's heels with the scissors, 



