STABLE RULES 



1. The best order in feeding is: Water, hay, water again, grain. 



2. Never give grain to a tired horse, f^et him rest and nibble hay for an hour or 

 tw^o first. Grain in the manger before the horse comes in looks bad. 



3. Water the horses as often as possible ; but let the horse that comes in hot drink 

 a few swallows only, until he is cool. 



4. Always water the horse after he has eaten his hay at night. Do not go to bed 

 leaving him thirsty all night. 



5. Do not forget to salt the horse once a week ; or, better yet, keep salt always 

 before him. He knows best how much he needs. 



6. Give a bran mash Saturday night or Sunday noon ; and on Wednesday night 

 also, if work is slack. After a long day in very cold or wet weather, a hot mash, half bran 

 and half oats, with a tablespoonful of ginger, will do the horse good. Put very little salt, if 

 any, in the mash. 



7. If the horse does not eat well, or slobbers, examine his teeth. 



8. Keep a good, deep, dry bed under the horse while he is in the stable, day or 

 night, on Sundays especially. The more he lies down, the longer his legs and feet will last. 



9. In order to do well, the horse must be kept warm. Give him a blanket on cool 

 nights in late summer or early fall, and an extra blanket on an extra cold night in winter. 



10. In cold rains do not tie up the horse's tail. The long tail prevents the water 

 from running down the inside of his legs, and keeps of? a current of air from his belly. 



11. Take ofi the harness, collar and all, when the horse comes in to feed. He will 

 rest better without it. 



12. Never put a horse up dirty or muddy for the night. At least brush his legs and 

 belly, and straighten his hair. 



13. In hot weather, and in all weathers if the horse is hot, sponge his eyes, nose, 

 dock, the harness marks, and the inside of his hind-quarters when he first comes in. 



14. When the horse comes in wet with rain, first scrape him, then blanket him, and 

 rub his head, neck, loins and legs. If the weather is cold put on an extra blanket in 20 

 minutes. Change the wet blanket when the horse dries. DO NOT WASH THE LEGS. 

 Rub them dry, or bandage loosely with thick bandages. It is far more important to have 

 the legs warm and dry than clean. 



15. To prevent scratches, dry the horse's fetlocks and heels when he comes in, espe- 

 cially in winter ; and rub on a little glycerine or vaseline before he goes out in snow or mud. 



16. Examine the horse's feet when he comes in, and wash them if he does not wear 

 pads. If a horse in the city is not shod in front with pads, tar and oakum, which is the best 

 way, it is absolutely necessary to keep his feet soft by packing them, or by wrapping a wet 

 piece of old blanket or carpet around the foot, or by applying some hoof dressing or axle oil, 

 inside and out, at least three times a week. 



17. Let the horse have a chance to roll as often as possible ; it will rest and refresh 

 him. Give him a little clean earth or a piece of sod to eat now and then ; he craves it, and 

 it is good for his stomach and blood. 



18. Speak gently to the horse, and do not swear or yell at him. He is a gentleman 

 by instinct, and should be treated as such. The stable is the horse's home, and it is your 

 privilege to make it a happy one. 



N. B. It is very important that stables should be well ventilated ; but do not let a draft blow on the 

 horses. Look out especially for horses in stalls near a door. 



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