Part 1

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NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT.

NOTES ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA AND THE COLONIES.

BY VETY.-CAPT. J. A. NUNN, F.R.C.V.S., C.I.E., D.S.O.,

ARMY VETERINARY DEPARTMENT, LATE PRINCIPAL LAHORE VETERINARY COLLEGE.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED, WITH A GLOSSARY.

LONDON: W. THACKER & CO., 2, CREED LANE. CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK & CO. 1897.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.

The first edition of these notes, which was written in India, having been sold out in a much shorter space of time than I ever anticipated when I wrote it, I am induced to offer this to the public. The scope of the original pamphlet has been adhered to, and all that is aimed at is to give the new arrival in the East some idea as to the management of his horses, especially those who are setting up a stable for the first time. The first edition was written in India for Anglo-Indians, who are familiar with native terms; but to this, being published in England, I have added a glossary of the more ordinary Hindustani words likely to be of use. The spelling of these will be probably found fault with by the Oriental scholar; but I have endeavoured to bring it as near the sound as possible, as it is only intended for persons in absolute ignorance of the vernacular. There appearing to be a demand for the book in the colonies, at the suggestion of the publishers I have added a few remarks on Australia and South Africa. The entire work has been rewritten, and the matter contained is the result of my own personal observations during eighteen years' service in India and the colonies at both military and civil duties.

JOSHUA A. NUNN.

LONDON, March, 1897.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

The following notes on Stable Management were originally delivered in a lecture to the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Troopers of the Punjab Light Horse, and as they were considered by the members of the corps to be useful, at their request I have put them on paper. There is no attempt at anything beyond the most elementary rudiments of horse-keeping in India, and all they are intended for is to give volunteers of mounted corps, who have not previously owned horses, some slight idea as to what should be done for the care of their chargers, and not leave them entirely in the hands of native syces and horse-keepers.

JOSHUA A. NUNN.

LAHORE, December, 1895.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

FOOD.

Gram 1 Barley 6 Bran 7 Bran Mash 9 Oats 9 Maize 11 Wheat 13 Rice 14 Millet 15 Pulses 15 Linseed 16 Linseed Cake 17 Black Gram 18 Preparation of Food 18 Horses refusing Food 19 Times of Feeding 20 Bolting Food 21 Spilling Food on Ground 22 Grass 22 Churrie 25 Bhoosa 25 Bamboo Leaves 27 Oat Hay Forage 28 Hay 29 Green Food 32 Green Gram 33 Carrots 34 Lucerne 34 Guinea Grass 38 Sugar Cane 38 Turnips 39 Salt 39 Tonics 40 Horses not Feeding 41 Damaged Food 42 Irregular Teeth 42 Young Horses Cutting Teeth 44 Quidding 44 Indigestion 45 Lampas 45 Nose-bags 46 Mangers 47 Worms 48 Rubbing the Tail 49 Scouring 49

WATER.

Water 51 Times of Watering 52 Watering Troughs 53 Watering on a Journey 53 Watering after a Journey 54 Watering Bridles 54 Leeches 55 Wells 56

AIR AND VENTILATION.

Stables 58 Chicks 60 Stable Floors 61 Charcoal 62 Picketing 62 Bedding 63 Sawdust 64 Shavings 65 Sand 65 Horses eating Bedding 65 Exercise 66

GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC.

Heel Ropes 69 Head Ropes 72 Fetlock Picketing 73 Picketing Posts 73 Ringing 74 Rheims 75 Knee-haltering 75 Shackles 75 Picketing-pegs 76 Leading-ropes 77 Brushes and Gear 78 Curry-combs 78 Buckets 79 Dusters 79 Hoof-picker 80 Clothing 80 Hoods 81 Body-rollers 82 Bandages 83 Summer Clothing 84 Eye Fringes 84 Fly Whisks 85 Cleaning Horse Clothing, and Storing it in the Summer 85 Numdahs 86 Grooming 87 Wisps and Grooming Pads 89 Hand-rubbing 90 Washing 91 Uneven Manes 91 Hogged Manes 92 Ragged Legs 93 Trimming Tails 94 Clipping 94 Cleaning the Sheath 95 Lights in Stable 96 Fires in Verandahs 96

SADDLERY, HARNESS, CARRIAGES AND SERVANTS.

Saddles and Harness 97 Saddle Covers 98 Bridles 99 Harness 99 Carriages 100 Servants 101