STTrFFINa FEET. 51 



collection of things preserved year after year, that one might 

 suppose some important principle, in relation either to use or 

 ornament, would be seriously compromised by its removal. 

 Such debris, hovrever, occupies room; and, besides excluding 

 the pure air, affords a nidus for the generation of filth. 



The floor of the stalls, and the paint of the wood work, 

 ought to be regularly washed and cleansed. The walls and 

 ceiling, ought occasionally to be white-washed, and the cobwebs 

 swept away. The hay seeds which accumulate behind the hay 

 racks, ought from time to time be removed. The mangers 

 frequently scoured. The drains kept open. The glass of the 

 windows maintained whole and clean, so as to exclude currents 

 of air, and admit the light. The loose boxes ought always to 

 be clean, and when not in use, ready for service. In short 

 cleanliness and order within a stable are just as essential to 

 the health and comfort of horses, as cleanliness and order 

 within a dwelling are essential to the health and comfort of 

 civilized beings. 



Stable Eequisites. — Before describing the process of 

 grooming, I may allude to a few of the stable requisites enu- 

 merated in the list at page 49. 



Cow DvMg Box. — This is an article with which every stable 

 should be provided. Cow's dung is the best substance to use 

 as a stuJSng to the feet of the horse. The process is only 

 required to the fore feet. Prom the animal standing upon dry 

 litter, travelling upon hard, dry roads, and exposure to the hot 

 sun, the hoofs become hard and unyielding ; in which state 

 they are very liable to split, and lameness to ensue as a con- 

 sequence. The best preventive to this drying and splitting, is 

 to stuff the feet with a material containing both body and mois- 

 ture — qualities which are found in the substance in question. 



