A GOOD HEAD LAD INDISPENSABLE, 21 
CHAPTER IV. 
STABLE MANAGEMENT (continued). 
Value of regularity—A good head lad indispensable—Occupations of the trainer 
—Duties of the head lad—Food and its qualities—English oats preferred, and 
reasons—Hay must come from good land—Good food the only food—Mr. 
Clark on feeding and on soiling, and criticism of his remarks—Feeding in 
past times and to-day—Water and its qualities—Mr. Clark thereon—Rain- 
water in tanks the best, and reasons—Need of frequent examination of feet 
and legs ; use of bandages condemned—Evils of inattention to this—Value of 
neatness and regularity. 
PUNCTUALITY in the hours and attention to stable manage- 
ment are all-important, for on them rests the ultimate condition 
of the race-horse when brought out to run. All the manage- 
ment in the world out of doors will not compensate for, nor 
rectify, mistakes made in that within; so where both are not 
done thoroughly, evil results must follow. It is therefore indis- 
pensable that the trainer should have a man who is capable of 
managing the indoor department as well as of attending the 
horses at exercise in the absence of the principal. 
Ifit is absolutely requisite, to be successful, that horses should 
be under the charge of a skilful and attentive trainer, one who 
knows how much or little work is required to be done by each 
and every horse and the best time to give it, (and the proposi- 
tion will hardly be controverted), it is equally necessary that 
he should have a good man at the head of the stable depart- 
