THE FITTINGS 



325 



which also shows in section a hopper window serving as a ventihitor over 

 the horse's head. 



The divisions for loose-boxes are generally made of the same 

 character as the stall-divisions, with boarding below and trellis-work above, 

 which, in the same way as for the stalls, should be closed alongside the 

 manger, &c. The latch of the door should be flush with the woodwork 

 and of such form that the horse cannot " nose " it open. Loose-box doors 

 may also be made to .slide, but the special advantage is not apparent. A 

 simple method of 

 forming a loose- 

 box is by continu- 

 ing one or both end 

 stalls of a stable 

 back to the wall, 

 filling the space 

 by means of a door 

 and short length 

 of stall - division. 

 This is economical, 

 but has the dis- 

 advantage of leav- 

 ing no thorough- 

 fare in the case of 

 a continuous range. 



The lower parts 



of the walls of a 



stable are best 

 lined with board- 

 ing, and the ap- 

 pearance is improved if this is secured into half-rails of iron at the top 

 and bottom, to match the divisions. In a higher-class stable a portion 

 at least of the space above the boarding should be lined with glazed 

 tiles, and the tiles should be continued to the same level above the 

 manger. The enamelled tiling is impervious to moisture, and, being on 

 that part of the wall upon which the horse breathes, or with which his 

 body comes in contact, is easily kept clean, and is not liable to decay. 

 Salt-glazed bricks are now often used instead of wall-boarding, and are 

 cleaner and more durable. The tiles above the wall-boarding should be of 

 some light tint in preference to white. Dark tiles are not to be recom- 

 mended. The upper part of the walls, if not tiled, may be plastered. 

 Though more exjiensive, Keene's or some other hard-setting cement is 



Fig. 573, 



Stall-division with Shifting-piece in Sill for taking out and 

 replacing the Woodwork 



