— 82- 



X. Stable Care and Training. 



The importance of steadiness and care in the manageu «nt ol 

 the stable and in the cleaning of horses cannot be over-estimated. 

 A brutal stableman, or one which a horse fears, should be im- 

 mediately discharged. There is indeed now and then a horse 

 that requires to be kept in terror. These of course are exceptions. 

 The competent stable-man should use neither fear nor brutality. 



Many stable-men imagine the curry comb is an instrument for 

 cleaning the legs and body of the horse. It is an instrument for 

 cleaning the brush and for loosening the scurf on the fleshy — not 

 bony — ^parts of the body. In using the curry comb, do so lightly, 

 carrying it in circles rather than in straight Unes. Use a wisp of 

 hay for rubbing the dust from the legs, and something like a com 

 cob for the fetlocks, finishing with the brush. In brushing, do so 

 thoroughly, with firm, long strokes, where possible, being careful 

 in working about the head and bony parts. Clean the brush 

 often by passing it over the teeth of the curry comb. When the 

 scurf and dust are thoroughly cleaned out, go over the horse with 

 a damp wisp of hay, and finish with dry cloths, being particular 

 to get any particles of dirt out of the fetlocks, the ears, about the 

 head, next the tail, below the thighs, under the jaws, and between 

 the fore-legs. Ahorse thus cleaned, whether he belongs to the farm 

 or the city stable will not occasion shame on the part of the owner. 



It is a question among horsemen, whether when a team comes 

 in wet and muddy at night, it is proper to wash them. "We 

 have never found advantage in so doing. Clothe them warmly, 

 bandage the legs loosely, and when dry, clean them,_at least so 

 far as removing the dirt, and getting up a glow at the surface 

 is concerned. Thus handled, horses will seldom be found liable 

 to surfeit, scratches, grease, and other diseases induced by 

 idxecking the natural perspiration. 



XI. The Time to Clean. 



Clean when the horse is dirty. Always once a day when the 

 horse is kept in the stable. Horses that run in the fields in 

 Summer, or in the shed yard in Winter require no cleaning. 



