The "tools" for grooming are described on pages 326 to 332.

I refrain from quoting the prices of stable utensils and grooming tools; because they are matters of common knowledge, and are not more affected by quality and the fashionable standing of tradesmen, than those of other articles of commerce. Besides, extra cost has to be allowed for, when horse-owners entrust purchases to grooms, and fail to pay cash.

Each groom, for his horse or horses, should be provided with a bass-broom, birch-broom, stable fork, skep and shovel; and each horse, with a water bucket.

Every stable should possess a corn-bin, sieve, quartern measure, weights and scales for weighing sacks of corn, wheelbarrow, chaff (chop) cutter, oat-bruising machine, saddle-dryer, clipping machine (power or hand, according to the size of the stable), singeing lamp, clipping scissors and combs, ordinary scissors, and a hurricane lamp. If maize be used, a corn crusher (kibbling machine) will be required. A wheel-lifting jack, and possibly a spoke-brush and mop (p. 367) will be needed for a carriage; and a corn cleaning machine (p. 114) may be added to the utensils of a large stable.

The birch-broom will be for use outside the stable; the bass-broom, inside.

The ends of a stable fork should terminate in round knobs, so that the horse may not get injured by them, as not un-frequently happens, both accidentally, and through loss of temper. Usually, the handle is much too long, and is more suited for loading a cart with hay or for making a hay-stack, than for arranging bedding.

Fig. 28. Skep or dung basket.

A skep is either a basket or sheet iron receptacle for dung. I prefer the basket form, as it is not liable to hurt a horse in the event of his knocking up against it. The best kind of skep I have seen is one of wicker work which is made in the North Cheshire country (Fig. 28.) This basket is about 7 inches deep, and of an oval shape, the long axis being 24 inches long and the short axis 18 inches.

A wooden bucket, especially if it is of oak and is brass bound, looks better than a galvanised iron one, which is cheaper, cleaner, and more durable. Also, if a wooden bucket is left within reach of a horse, he will be liable to gnaw it, and crib on it.

It is well to have the corn-bin made of galvanized iron, so that the corn may be protected from rats and mice. For a small stable, it may be divided into three compartments, to hold respectively, say, eight bushels, four bushels, and one bushel, for oats, bran, and beans. There might be a fourth compartment for salt. The corn-bin should be provided with a lock and key.

A galvanized iron wheel-barrow is cleaner for stable use than a wooden one.

In an oat-bruising machine, the bruising is done by two smooth rollers, the distance between which can be adjusted by a screw as may be required. The corn-crusher is provided with teeth, which break the grain more or less coarsely. In the working of both these machines, a great saving of manual labour can be effected by the adoption of the ingenious method of applying power by means of a tricycle, in the manner devised by Dr. James Roberts, of Melton Mowbray (Figs. 29 and 30).

A pair of clipping scissors with straight blades, and one with curved blades will be useful for trimming parts which cannot be easily got at with a clipping machine.

There are three kinds of spoke-brushes. The ordinary sort is a long narrow brush with a hard back, which is an objection to its use (p. 367). In the second variety, the back is covered with india-rubber, so as to save the paint and varnish on the spokes from getting chipped. In the third form, the bristles radiate from the shaft, as in a lamp brush.

Fig. 29. Side Elevation of Tricycle adapted to Corn Crusher.

A. Perambulator wheels with tyres taken off. B. Belting, 1/4 in. round leather, 19 ft. to each side. C. Front wheel taken off. D. Supports. E. Bearer.

N.B. - Axle of crusher is same length as axle of tricycle.