SITUATION AND ASPECT. 187 
nim in moderate health, than another of the same breed and constitution 
who does a proper amount of work from day to day. I have often known 
gentlemen possessed of a couple of horses, well housed, express their sur- 
prise that they could not keep them so free from disease as a lot of cab or 
coach horses which were kept near them, in some dark, close stable, per- 
haps underground. The reason is obvious enough: the overfed and 
under-worked horse is stimulated by his food to such an extent, that some 
organ is sure to become inflamed; and if the lungs, stomach, or bowels do 
not show disease, the heels crack, or the joints enlarge, and, after a single 
day’s work, lameness shows itself in a most severe form. On the other 
hand, the hard-worked horse is in the fresh air for a great part of his 
time ; and thus the mischief which is done to his blood indoors, is 
remedied when he is out. His food is all properly expended in nourishing 
and repairing his muscular system, and there is no surplus to go to form 
the foundation of disease. Darkness also is grateful, because the moment 
the feeding is over, sleep is to be desired. Hence it follows that, of 
necessity, private stables must be very carefully proportioned to the 
number of horses which are to be placed in them, and their lighting and 
ventilation should be of the most unobjectionable character. In the fol- 
lowing pages, when no specific directions are laid down, it may be con- 
sidered that my remarks apply to the hacks and carriage-horses of private 
gentlemen. Race-horses and hunters demand a different treatment in 
many respects ; and as to ponies, they are so hardy, that they may be 
lodged without difficulty. 
I am QUITE AWARE that what I have just written is in opposition to the 
opinions expressed in “ Stewart's Stable Economy,” an authority for which 
I have the highest respect ; but my opinions are formed from a long 
experience of the evils attending upon the horse kept for pleasure, and 
I am quite confident that my conclusions are correct. It may be that the 
stables for cab and omnibus horses are now better managed than they 
were when Mr. Stewart’s remarks were written; but, on this point, I only 
refer to these two kinds of horses as lodged in the middle of the present 
century. The managers of large establishments are now fully aware of 
the importance of cleanliness, which can only be maintained by drainage ; 
and the free air of heaven is cheap enough, so that there is no reason why 
they should not introduce it as soon as they are convinced of its utility. 
SITUATION AND ASPECT. 
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT POINTS to be regarded in the choice of a 
situation, are, first, the power of excluding damp ; and, secondly, the best 
means of keeping up a tolerably even temperature in winter and summer. 
It is seldom that the stables are fixed without regard to the convenience 
of the inmates of the house itself, the corner most out of sight being the 
one usually selected as good enough for them. It should not, however, 
be forgotten, that the horse is a native of a dry country, and cannot be 
kept in health in a damp situation either in-doors or out. Nothing, except 
starvation, tells injuriously so soon upon the horse as damp when exposed 
to it—he loses all life and spirit ; work soon tires him ; his coat stares ; 
he will scarcely look at his food, and he becomes rapidly emaciated, severe 
disease, often in the shape of some prevailing epidemic, showing itself 
after a short time, and generally soon ending in death. Grease and cracked 
heels, swelled legs, hide bound, inflamed eyes, and coughs and colds, are 
the evils which attend damp, when exhibited only in a slight degree ; but 
