The Stable Handbook 



doing about eighteen or twenty miles a day at a 

 slow pace. If it can be managed the horses should 

 do their exercise twice a day, trotting and walking 

 from eight to ten miles each time they go out. 

 Hunters should trot up hill ; it puts muscle on the 

 back and loins and improves the wind. This 

 should be continued for six weeks or two months 

 before the horse goes into hard work. 



When a horse is taken into work after coming 

 up from grass it is particularly likely to rub or 

 gall, so the stuffing of the saddle should be care- 

 fully looked to, and any necessary alterations 

 made as required from time to time. It is clear 

 that the saddle or harness which fitted a horse 

 easily when in hard condition may not do so when 

 he is fat and gross after six or eight weeks at 

 grass. All these minor details need careful 

 watching, and it is on close attention to these 

 that success in the stable depends. We all know 

 people who are often in trouble with their horses, 

 and others whose stables are free from ailments. 

 In the latter case it is looking after these smaller 

 matters which is the secret of success. 



Generally speaking, when anything happens in 

 a stable, if we have in the neighbourhood an 

 intelligent veterinary surgeon it is well to let him 

 attend to the animals. But there are some minor 

 ailments and accidents which can be treated quite 

 as well by ourselves. In any case there are 

 emergencies where simple remedies, promptly 

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