112 AMERICx\N STABLE GUIDE. 



not satisfactorily allay the cravings of a thirsty and tired 

 animal. Horses placed under such circumstances, very 

 often teach the groom that the bucket of cold water is 

 preferable to the measure of corn, by the refusal to eat 

 till water be first given. There are again some horses 

 of all work that are so healthy and hearty that they 

 will not drink till after the allowance of feed has been 

 eaten, and on this account are often unjustly dealt with 

 through indifference or ignorance of the groom in not 

 watering after the morning meal has been consumed. 



While the horses are feeding, the bedding may be shaken 

 up, the good separated from the dirty, and the stalls as 

 well as the floor swept clean. The stable drains and stench- 

 trap, especially in warm weather, should be washed with a 

 broom and water; in winter by keeping the drains clear 

 of straw and dung, washing is not so often necessary nor 

 desirable. The stableman may now eat breakfast with as 

 little disturbance as the horse. This is important — for 

 Punch intimates that when a gentleman wants a thing 

 done, the best way is for him to do it himself; which is 

 illustrated by the gentleman exercising the horses whilst 

 the grooms are enjoying their beef and beer, for upon their 

 enjoyment depends their good nature for the rest of the 

 day. Without over-indulgence, however, the stableman 

 may at this time leave the stable, as the custom is not to 

 groom a horse in his stall, especially when feeding; and it 

 is not advisable ; besides it would be attended with danger 

 to the groom from a spirited horse. Moreover, time is 



