4 DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



CHAPTER II. 

 STABLING AND GENERAL CARE OF HORSES. 



This is a subject that is sadly neglected by a majority of horse 

 ouners in this country. Very few farmers, and a great many 

 horse owners in the cities and towns, have what can be called 

 stables for their horses; they have merely a lot and sheds, and, 

 in fact, some don't have even a shed. These sheds, as a general 

 thing, are cool, airy, and comfortable for summer, but are cruel- 

 ly cold and disagreeable during the winter "northers." The 

 horse, man's most faithful servant, needs comfort and protection 

 against the cold and wet as well as man does. It is for the want 

 of proper care and comfort that so many horses become affected 

 with disease. These airy, cool sheds are the very best kind of 

 stables for summer time in this country, but for winter we should 

 have stables that we can close up to keep out the cold, chilly air, 

 and give the animal a good bed of straw to lie on. How comfort- 

 able it seems to us when, during a cojd "norther," we can close 

 our doors and windows, and get into a soft, warm bed, provided 

 with plenty of blankets to keep us warm. We should first see 

 that our stock have a warm, comfortable place for the night, and 

 then we can lie down and sleep with a clear conscience and an 

 easy mind. 



Stables should be kept clean and dry, and have plenty of ven- 

 tilation and good light. Close, dark, poorly ventilated stables 

 are very injurious to horses' eyes, and to their general health. 

 Foul air should be allowed to escape through trap-doors or win- 

 dows in the ceiling or top of the stable. The stalls should be 

 large and comfortable, box-stalls being the best. The stall floor 

 should be clay or dirt, and nearly level. A hard plank floor i< 

 injurious to a horse's feet and legs. The hay racks .should not be 



