54 GEOOMINS. 



in as tate of chronic inflammation from continued over- exertion, 

 it frequently proves of essential service to push the action of 

 cold water to the extent represented. 



Having thus enumerated the principal articles, and briefly 

 described a few of the essentials to a well-ordered stable, I will 

 next attempt to describe the duties of the groom to his horses. 



Duties oi' the Gboom. — The duties of the groom will be 

 the best understood, by simply detailing the entire process of 

 grooming. 



Beginning then with the groom in the morning, and termi- 

 nating with the close of his labours at night, we will afterwards' 

 add a few comments upon sundry matters and things of a 

 kindred nature, which in so doing can be treated of in a more 

 consecutive and satisfactory manner. In the following outline, 

 I shall suppose one man to have the management of two horses. 



The time at which a groom enters the stable in the morning 

 will depend upon circumstances, such as the amount of work 

 performed by the horses the day previously, and the time at 

 which they were left for the night. The general hour, however, 

 is six o'clock, the year round. The principal duties of the day 

 are these : — To give the horses water, corn, and hay ; to adjust 

 the straw, remove the manure, and sweep out the stalls; to 

 dress the horses, and re-adjust their clothing ; to clean and put 

 in order the stable. At night the horses generally undergo a 

 similar course of treatment ; and the whole ought to be done 

 in a methodical and careful manner. A groom without method 

 is always busy ; while all things around him are in confusion 

 and disorder. If without method, he is either a very idle or 

 a very stupid fellow. If idle, he will be dirty in his person. 

 Grooms of this stamp are generally smokers, and are seldom 

 without a short pipe in their mouth. Not unfrequently they 



