so MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



nary brick, but to a very slight extent if at all through painted surfaces 

 or paper. h I 



Fresh air, no matter how cold, does not hurt a horse, provided it is 

 not caused by a draft. Foul air is most harmful. For this reason 

 all properly built stables have ventilation at the ridge or highest point. 



Foul air and dampness are the causes of many diseases of the horse; 

 hence the importance and economy of spacious, clean, dry and well- 

 ventilated stables. 



It is impossible to give the horse too much fresh air even in the 

 coldest weather. Stable windows should be closed only when it is 

 necessary to prevent rain or snow from beating in on the animals. 

 The stables should be considered as merely a shelter from storms. 

 The more nearly the air of the stables approaches the purity and 

 temperature of the outside air, the more nearly are the stables adapted 

 to the health and comfort of the animals. 



A practical and satisfactory test that a stable is properly cleaned 

 and ventilated is that, on entering it, the sense of smell detects no 

 apparent change from the air outside. 



The picket line should be established in the immediate vicinity of 

 the stables. The fioor of the picket line should be raised and trenches 

 to carry off the rain should be provided so that the ground upon which 

 the horses stand may be kept dry. 



A horse prefers to stand with his fore feet lower than his hind feet, 

 as this rests and relieves his tendons. Where horses are required to 

 stand for long periods on the picket line the floor should be constructed 

 so that this is possible. 



CLEANING 



The stables and ground should be kept clean at all times and no 

 manure allowed to remain in the stables, corrals or picket line for 

 more than twelve hours at a time. Floors of stalls and aisles should be 

 thoroughly cleaned each morning and swept again after the noon 

 feed. If the horses are on the picket line or in the stables during the 

 day, the sentry or sentries should keep the line or stalls clean at all 

 times by removing droppings and sweeping urine to the rear. Water- 

 ing troughs should be washed daily, feed boxes at least once a week- 

 and always after feeding a bran mash. Equal parts of water and 

 vinegar should be used for this purpose. Corrals should be cleaned 

 daily after the horses are tied in at evening stables. Keep stalls in 

 repair at all times even if the rest of the stable is in bad condition. 



Manure or foul litter must not be allowed to accumulate in or near 

 the stables but must be carried to the manure heap daily. 



In the morning stalls are cleaned and the stables policed under the 

 direction of the stable sergeant, assisted by the chiefs of sections. 



Paddocks, with shade and water, should be provided near the stables ; 

 if there is no shade, shelter from the sun should be extemporized. The 

 picket line and paddocks should be sprinkled to keep down the dust ; 

 crude oil may be used to advantage. Racks for drying bedding should 

 be provided near each stable. 



