IN SEARCH OF A HORSE. 189 



manger with a scouring brush. These precautions, 

 and opening the windows regularly when the place is 

 empty, will materially tend to keep even the smallest 

 box in a healthy state. It is very important, how- 

 ever, not to let a stable become damp ; and this in- 

 convenience is more easily avoided than people 

 commonly suppose. Hunting or training stables 

 should of course be so constructed as to allow of 

 being warmed by flues or pipes of steam : but where 

 these expensive resources are wanting, it is easy to 

 keep a lamp or candle constantly burning (always in 

 a wire lantern suspended from the ceiling), and this 

 will dry almost any stable in four-and-twenty hours. 

 This precaution in a harness room will often keep 

 harness from injury for years. 



The economy as well as the cleanliness of a stable 

 is much promoted by due attention to the litter. 

 Idle grooms will frequently allow the litter to remain 

 from one end of the week to the other, sprinkling 

 over it a handful of clean straw for the bed at night, 

 or (to keep up appearances) during the day. Nothing 

 is more injurious to the horse's feet than thus con- 

 stantly standing upon a hot-bed. It makes the hoof 

 brittle, dries up the sole and destroys its elasticity, 

 17 



