108 



STABLE ECONOMY. 



Fio. 13. 





tail to his rider's satisfaction, it may be put in the pulleys an 

 hour or two every day for several successive wrecks. 



A cord is stretched across the stall, near or between the 

 heel-posts ; the hair of the tail is plaited and attached to 

 another cord, which passes upward over a pulley in the 

 transverse line, stretches backward, where it passes through 

 another pulley and descends. To this a weight is secured, a 

 bag containing sand or shot sufficient to keep the tail at the 

 proper elevation. A double pulley on the cross cord permits 

 the horse to move from side to side without twisting the tail. 

 The weight should vary with the strength of the tail. From 

 one to two pounds is sufficient to begin with. After a {ew days 

 it may be gradually increased, so as to keep the tail a little more 

 elevated than the horse is wanted to carry it. The time which 

 he stands in the pulleys need not in the first week exceed 

 one hour ; on the second week he may stand thus for two or 

 three hours every day, and at last he may be kept up all day, 

 or all night, if the horse be at work during the day. Should 

 the tail become hot or tender, or should the hair show any 

 tendency to fall out, the elevatintr process must be omitted for 

 a day or two till the tail be well again, when it may be re- 

 sumed and carried on every day, unless the hair again become 

 loose, which is a sign that the weight is too great or too long- 

 continued. 



