THE STABLE 331 



will be awake while the others are asleep, and disturb 

 them. 



The dimensions of a stable, in proportion to the 

 number of horses, is a most important point. A stable 

 for six horses should be from thirty-eight to forty feet 

 in length, from thirteen to fifteen feet wide, and about 

 twelve feet in height. It is always of consequence to 

 have the roof of a stable plastered, whether there is a 

 hay loft above it or not. This will prevent currents 

 of air from passing through the floor There should 

 always be a few central tiles to allow the hot air to 

 escape and give place to that which is pure and cold. 

 These tiles should be furnished with protecting ledges, 

 to prevent the rain from entering ; or, what is perhaps 

 better, large tubes should be carried through the roof, 

 with caps a little way above them, to prevent the rain 

 from beating in. A third plan is to have gratings 

 placed high in the walls. These last ought to be as 

 near the roof as possible, and shut and opened by a 

 cover, as occasion requires. 



In summer and autumn the stable ought never to 

 be more than a few degrees warmer than the atmos- 

 phere. In winter not more than fifteen degrees, 

 because the hair is thicker at this season than in 

 summer. 



If the hay is kept in a loft over the stable, there 

 should be no holes over the racks for throwing down 

 the hay, as by these openings foul air will be carried 

 up to the hay, and render it unwholesome. And 

 besides, it not unfrequently happens that seeds fall 

 down into the eyes of the horse, and occasion serious 

 inflammation in them. 



While the floor of the stalls should be so con- 

 structed that the urine will be speedily carried ofT, yet 

 a little reflection will show that the practice of making 



