STABLE FITTINGS. 23 



furnished with a catch in the wall to prevent their swinging to suddenly 

 in windy weather. 



38. Loose Boxes. 



Many modern stables are divided into boxes instead of stalls. The 

 plan has many advantages, principally because the horses can stand out 

 of a draught. Most of us know the extreme discomfort of sitting in 

 draught, and the risk of colds, coughs, and rheumatism. Ten feet six 

 inches square are quite sufficient for stable loose boxes, and the difference 

 of expense in building a stable is but small. 



The two end boxes, if more room is thought desirable, can be, without 

 cost, enlarged by taking in the passage at each end. 



The doors of loose boxes should always open outwards or traverse to 

 the side. A door fitted with the ordinary latch, if it opens inwards, may 

 occasion a serious accident, such as an injury to the eye, if the horse 

 happens to be standing near it when it is suddenly opened. 



But such loose boxes are no substitute for detached loose boxes, which 

 should always be provided for sick horses. Stable boxes share the 

 common air of the stable ; but those intended for sick animals require 

 purer air than is commonly found in a stable, and, moreover, they 

 generally need to be kept at a lower temperature than is desirable for 

 horses in full work. 



It is not advantageous to make sick boxes over-large. Twelve feet 

 by fourteen with a height of twelve feet is sufficient. In addition to the 

 usual manger and hay rack, loose boxes intended for sick horses should 

 be provided with a staple fixed in the wall about two feet six inches from 

 the ground, on which a pail may be hung. Sick horses carry their heads 

 low and always prefer to feed near the ground. 



For sick boxes, when the door is on hinges and divided into two parts, 

 the lower portion should not exceed three feet six inches in height. If 

 higher, a sick horse who stands with his head drooped down may not be 

 able to get it over the door so as to enjoy the fresh air. A bar, however, 

 should be provided to go across the upper half, as otherwise horses, 

 especially young ones, are apt to try and jump out. It is essential that 

 this bar be placed sufficiently high above the half door to allow the horse 

 to get his head in and out easily between it and the door. If the space 

 is narrow, an accident may occur to the animal in drawing back his head, 

 if he happens to get frightened. 



If a traversing door is used, three bars will be needed so as to enable 

 it to be left open. For sick boxes, however, the ordinary door divided 

 into two parts is decidedly preferable, because the lower half shelters the 

 patient's legs from draught, whilst he can put his nostrils over it. 



39. Latches. 



All latches are in some degree objectionable. In all, though so rounded 

 off as to reduce the chance of an accident to a minimum, there is a possi- 

 bility that a rein or stirrup leather may catch in them when the horse is 



