28 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
be neglected even for a day, the animal may be irretrievably 
ruined. 
It is now much the practice to sew cloth round horses’ 
legs, with the view, I should suppose, of giving support. 
But whatever advantage may thus accrue is in my opinion 
nullified by the fact that the custom hinders the ready 
examination of the parts covered; for a rupture or strain 
of the tendon may exist unsuspected. The injury may 
not be sufficient to cause lameness until galloped, but then 
assuredly it will betray itself; often too late. The harm 
done will probably be irremediable. 
The feet also require frequent attendance ; for neglect of 
them will be followed by serious consequences. The results 
of such inattention, however, will be more legitimately treated 
in the next chapter. 
Let me add that a trite saying, “ A place for everything and 
everything in its place,” is a motto that should strictly be 
followed. Its observance economises labour, and gives the 
show and reality of neatness. The broom, fork, and shovel, 
should have a place assigned them as near the stable as 
possible, where they may be kept when not in use. The 
dung-barrow may be put at the back of the stable, or in 
some other spot sheltered from observation; as may the 
tar and grease cans, stopping-box, and the sand-box. The 
saddles and bridles may be kept with the other furniture in 
use neatly folded up, in the drying or saddle-room, after 
being properly cleaned and dried. The buckets may be 
arranged in a row outside the stable walls, and in dry and hot 
weather should be kept full. And even so small a matter as 
the tightness or looseness of the head-collar is an object of 
moment. For indifference to this, as I shall presently show 
may be the cause of the ruin of a valuable animal. 
