STABLE MANAGEMENT, 
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elusion that there is no grooming we have to give a great deal of credit to the men 
for turning the horses out as they do ; and 1 think it might turn out that that 
is one heavy stable, and that a second stable at mid-day ought to be sufficient. 
In these days, when we want to give as little trouble as we can to everybody, I 
think it would be a very good thing if that could be done ; and if evening stables 
were entirely done away with except for grooming the legs, I think it would be a 
great advantage to everybody. 
Captain W. Paget, B.H.A.—I should like to ask Colonel Walters what he 
considers is the best course to pursue with horses that are constantly breaking out 
again P I understood that he thought it was better not to feed them when they 
come in as long as the heat is in them. I am talking of horses which, however 
careful you are to bring them in cool, are very excitable horses, hunters especially, 
and will break out again in the course of a couple of hours afterwards, as I have 
known constantly happen. 
Veterinary Lieut.-Colonel W. B. Walters —In reply to Colonel Bro well, 
I may say that there is no special symptom by which you can tell that horses have 
not been properly watered, except a general falling off in condition and a “tucked- 
up ” appearance. If you fancy that any particular horse has been insufficiently 
watered, have him led again to the trough, and notice the avidity or otherwise 
with which he drinks. 
With regard to what Major Yorke has said about softening the water, that 
depends upon what the hardness is due to. If it is .owing to the presence of 
sulphate of lime, I do not think that earth will materially soften it; if it is due 
to the carbonate of lime, it may assist in precipitating the salt. Mixing clay 
with the water, allowing to settle and stand exposed to the sun and air, is an old 
and well known custom, and used to be recommended in the treatment of certain 
diseases. 
I am pleased to hear that Colonel Pip on is an advocate for bedding down at 
mid-day. It is a very important subject, and I should like to see the system 
carried out more than is now done. I know that many officers do not approve of it, 
because they think the daily ration of straw insufficient for the purpose, and fear 
waste. I can only suggest their giving it a fair trial, and am convinced that the 
result will be satisfactory. It has been so in all cases that have come under my 
notice, but, of course, care is necessary in the management of the litter. 
As regards watering by means of water-troughs running through the stable, 
that I think is an excellent plan ; but at the same time I should like to see water 
in each stall, that is to say, a small galvanised iron tank alongside every horse’s 
manger. I fear, however, that any suggestions on this point would be objected 
to for financial and other reasons. 
The system of feeding four times a day is an excellent one in a private stable, 
but it would be difficult to carry out in the Army, because it would entail an 
extra stable hour. It has been tried and found to fail for this reason. In general 
condition and appearance our troop horses will bear very favourable comparison 
with the horses of any other country in the world, and I think that feeding three 
times a day is really sufficient for all practical purposes. 
I entirely agree with Colonel Pipon as to the advisability of watering horses at 
night during hot weather. It was my custom when in charge of troop horses 'on 
board ship, in the tropics, to order them to be watered frequently during the 
night. 
I approve of washing the feet, for this reason : I find that unless the men are 
very carefully looked after they will not pick out the horse’s feet properly ; they 
frequently leave a certain amount of dirt in the frogs, especially of the hind-feet, 
and if this is allowed to accumulate, and if the clefts of the frogs are at all deep, 
this foul matter will act as an irritant and may produce suppuration (thrush). 
