LECTURE LXVIII. 



STABLING SUITABLE FOR HORSES. 



Shelter of some kind must be provided for the horse, 

 especially for the work horse. In this respect they differ 

 from the other kinds of stock, as nearly all the other classes 

 of stock in some country or portion of country are main- 

 tained without shelter. In cold climates stables are neces- 

 sary for the horse as a means of protection and from the 

 standpoint of convenience. In warmer climates they are 

 more often provided and used as a means of convenience. 

 This is due to the fact that the horse is used for labor pur- 

 poses, thus must oftentimes be had on very short notice. 

 This of necessity causes the owner to make some provision 

 of a place of some kind where the horse can always be 

 found. Out of this necessary provision has grown the many 

 elaborate stables of the present day. 



In general, stables should be so constructed as to meet 

 the needs of the occasion to the very best advantage for the 

 smallest expense possible. They must be so constructed as 

 to protect the animals from the cold blasts of winter, also 

 to supply plenty of fresh air during the summer months. 

 They must be convenient and durable. They must be well 

 lighted and have proper facilities for ventilation. These 

 are points which must always be considered in planning 

 the stable. 



Most men make the mistake of building too small a 

 structure, and as a result reduce the size of the stalls, the 

 alleys, the feed rooms and harness rooms, to such an extent 

 that they are always inconvenient. The horse stable should 

 "be convenient. It is used every day in the year and every 

 provision possible should be made to have feed rooms con- 

 venient, the stalls wide enough, the alleys wide enough, 

 so that either horse or man can pass behind the other ani- 

 mals with safety. The harness room should be near as 

 possible so as to eliminate all unnecessary walking on the 

 part of the attendant. Ample provision must also be made 



