The Stable Hcmdbook 



because the carrying of weight is very much more 

 a matter of make, shape, and courage than of mere 

 substance. I once had two horses, one a big brown 

 horse with plenty of substance, but a little bit long 

 in the back, and with not the best of back ribs, 

 the other a small mare, rather light to look at, but 

 very true shaped. The mare carried my weight 

 (13 stones 7 lbs.) with ease, made just as long days 

 as the horse and was certainly less tired than he. 

 Here quality and balance carried her through. 



But the horse is not so much my topic as the 

 way to manage him, and whatever kind of animal 

 you possess, you can add at least a quarter to 

 his working powers by good condition and stable 

 management. This is, however, not to be done 

 without trouble and a considerable knowledge of, 

 and attention to, the details of which much has 

 already been said. 



Buy your horse cheap, feed him well, look after 

 him closely, work him hard as long as he is well, 

 rest him completely when anything goes wrong. 

 Never ignore heat, tenderness, or the slightest 

 lameness, however much you wish to go out. 

 Do not buy unsound or ill-tempered horses if you 

 can help it ; they are often pressed on poor sports- 

 men by their richer brothers. ** That big horse of 



mine you can have for " (say not more than £lo 



more than he would fetch at auction). Do not buy 

 him even though he may know his business and is 

 offered you at a price that is in itself a temptation. 



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