778 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



enjoy the company of others. Box-stalls, where the horse can be free from the halter, and 

 also exercise a little, are greatly to be preferred. Horses that are worked hard every day 

 would, we believe, last much longer if they could, when out of harness, have the entire free 

 dom of large box-stalls. The stables should be kept clean, and well ventilated. Horses 

 possess a very acute sense of smell, and greatly dislike offensive odors. Besides, the breath 

 ing of air freighted with the odors of excrement, both liquid and solid, and carbonic-acid gas 

 generated from the lungs of the animals in breathing, is very injurious to the system. It 

 poisons the blood, and is the cause of many diseases. 



The ammoniacal vapors of ill-kept stables produce inflammation of the eyes, and irritate 

 the throat and lungs, so that blindness, cough, or asthma may be the consequence. Glanders 

 is more frequently caused by breathing the impure air of stables than by contagion. The 

 drainage of stables should receive particular attention, and the arrangement for the manure 

 should be such, whether in pits or otherwise, that the foul odors from it cannot affect the 

 air of the stable. The floor of a stall should be as nearly level as practicable and admit of 

 drainage, for if it slopes much there will be a liability of lameness by straining the ligaments 

 and membranes. The slope should not exceed two inches. 



The litter under the horses feet should be kept dry and clean. Standing on hot, ferment 

 ing manure will cause the hoofs to become soft, and will produce lameness. A sufficient 

 amount of light in the stable is indispensable to the health of a horse. Nt&amp;gt; animal can thrive 

 for a long time in a dark stable. Horses that are kept in dark stables will also be more lia 

 ble to shy when brought out suddenly into the light; but this is of minor importance 

 compared with the injury caused the eye from having this sudden change from darkness to 

 bright sunlight. The sight by this means becomes in time impaired, which frequently results 

 in total blindness. 



While dark stables are to be avoided, the opposite extreme of a glare of light is equally 

 objectionable, as far as the effect upon the eye of the horse is concerned. The stables should 

 be so arranged that the light from the windows will not shine into the faces of the animals, 

 or fall upon the eyes from the front, but rather from the rear or side. A strong reflected 

 light should also be avoided. It is well to have the interior of the stables colored with a 

 neutral tint to the distance of seven or eight feet from the floor, to avoid the glare that would 

 be occasioned by a white wall throughout. 



We have previously said so much respecting the necessity of pure air for mankind and 

 animals, that a repetition here is unnecessary. All stables should have ventilators so con 

 structed that the foul air can escape, and the pure air find an unobstructed entrance. Great 

 care should be taken that in securing good ventilation the animals are not exposed to a 

 draught of air. When the stables are not occupied, the doors and windows should be left 

 open, if the weather will admit. The stables should be kept as comfortable for the horses as 

 possible, both winter and summer. 



As a glossy coat is supposed to be produced by a very warm stable, many grooms sacri 

 fice ventilation to this idea, and not only keep the stable too warm, but poorly ventilated. In 

 a warm, and properly ventilated stable, we doubt whether blanketing is desirable, but in cold 

 stables, where horses will not be sufficiently warm without this protection, it may be found 

 necessary. Where blankets are used as a covering for horses in stables, a moderate tempera 

 ture and moderate amount of clothing will be better than a low temperature and an undue 

 amount, or a high temperature and slight clothing. About 55 Fahr. is estimated to be a 

 good mean, or desirable temperature for stables. 



The feet and legs of the horse should receive good care, as these are the first to fail, and 

 are subject to the greatest number of diseases. After severe or protracted exertion, a horse 

 should be rubbed down dry. The legs should be well rubbed with the hand, which will tend 

 to prevent swelled legs, stiff joints, contracted tendons, etc. When the legs are of an 



