16 CHAPTER 1. 



an extra foot. The length of the stalls should be 11 feet inclusive of the 

 heel-post. 



If the stable be 16 feet, which is a fair average width, it will be best 

 to allot 11 feet to a stall, and 5 feet to the passage. 



The height of the walls from the floor to the spring of the roof should 

 be twelve feet. In order to give this height in the inside, after allowing 

 for the floor being raised 8 inches above the ground outside, the walls 

 will really require to be 12 feet 8 inches, as shown in plan H. 



The pitch of the roof should be somewhat steep. A height of one 

 half the breadth gives a fair pitch. Plan H. Flattened roofs, though 

 they may cost a little less in the original outlay, are a constant source 

 of trouble and expense. 



The dimensions, which are shown in plan G with an unceiled open 

 roof, will give about 1700 cubic feet per horse. With a ceiling placed 

 close along the roof as in plan I, there will be 1660 cubic feet, and with 

 a ceiling placed as in plan K 1030 cubic feet per horse, exclusive of the 

 air circulating between the ceiling and the roof. 



26. Cheaper construction of stables. 



All horses, even though the commonest, equally need for the main- 

 tenance of health the essential requirements of good ventilation, paving, 

 drainage, light, cleanliness, and sufficient cubical space ; though they do 

 not equally need warmth and the maintenance of an even temperature. 



It becomes, therefore, necessary to consider how the essentials can 

 best be retained, whilst the cost is reduced. 



Louvre boards demand a certain amount of extra strength in the roof, 

 and are also in themselves a somewhat considerable item of expense. In 

 lieu of them the crown tile may be simply raised along the whole length 

 of the ridge of the roof. The ventilation, though inferior to that given 

 by louvre boards, will be fairly good, and the plan is much cheaper. 



In a stable intended only for cart or other horses doing slow work 

 much expense may be saved by making use of felt instead of slates or 

 tiles for the roof. Good felt properly tarred every third year will last 

 about twenty years. Corrugated iron may also be used. It has the advan- 

 tage of being incombustible. But on the other hand, it is hot in summer 

 and cold in winter. As the timbers necessary to carry these light 

 materials need not be at all strong, they will require to be supported by 

 posts in the centre. These posts can be furnished with brackets, and thus 

 conveniently made available for hanging up harness. 



Again, boarded partitions between stalls are by no means essential. 

 A bale hung by a rope is sufficient. The windows, instead of being hung 

 or made to drop back, can be simply made to open on a pivot in the 

 centre. 



Economy may be also practised, according to local circumstances, in 

 the material used for the walls. In some places, where the nature of the 

 soil affords facilities for making it, concrete may be used, and much 

 money saved. 



