STABLE MANAGEMENT. 80 



morning. Litter sheds. 183. Clothing. 184. Hand rubbing the legs. 185. 

 Flannel bandages. 186. Wet linen bandages. 187. Of putting on band- 

 ages. 188. Bandages to joints. 189. Persistent coldness of legs. 190. 

 Feet. 191. Arrangement of horses in the stable. 192. Kicking in the stable. 

 193. Sleeping whilst standing in stable. 194. Weaving. 195. Crib-biting. 

 196. Wind-sucking. 197. J/ter a /tard day'* worfc. 198. P%?ic. 199. 

 Jlratt mashes. 199a. Working life of horses in various employments. 



160. Introduction. 



In the preceding chapters an endeavour has been made to lay down 

 the broad principles, which are the basis of good stable management. 



These essentials, to recapitulate, are : 1st, an ample supply of pure 

 fresh air at all times in the stable ; 2nd, judicious watering and feeding ; 

 3rd, good forage ; 4th, good grooming ; 5th, good shoeing ; 6th, sufficient 

 and well regulated exercise. 



These are no doubt simple recipes for successful stable management, 

 too simple perhaps for many, who believe that there is a mystery in stable 

 management known only to a few. Yet from neglect of these common 

 and obvious requirements, few horses look as well as they ought to do. 

 Many become sick or lame, and thus entail trouble, expense and loss, 

 which might easily have been avoided. 



To ensure the highest development of health and strength, not one or 

 two or even three of these essentials are sufficient, but all must be com- 

 bined. You cannot have strength in a chain, if any one link be defective. 



The present chapter will be devoted to the practical application of the 

 principles already set forth. 



161. Temperature of stables. 



Whilst purity of air in a stable is absolutely essential, the maintenance 

 of an even and moderately warm temperature is also a matter of great 

 importance. The horse is a native of a warm climate, and both thrives 

 and puts up flesh in warmth. His food will go further and his coat will 

 look better in a warm than in a cold stable. 



In spring, autumn, and winter a stable should, we think, be kept as 

 comfortably warm as possible without making it close and offensive. 

 Warmth is good for horses, but purity of air is more essential. Good air 

 must never be sacrificed to warmth. Cold air will but produce a staring 

 coat, whilst foul air is the ready parent of disease. 



The best test of the purity of air in a stable is the sensation felt on 

 first going into it from the external air. The best time for testing the 

 sufficiency or otherwise of ventilation is the early morning, before the 

 stable has been cleaned and aired. 



In a well drained, well paved, well ventilated, and cleanly kept stable 

 the temperature may generally be maintained at from fifty to sixty 

 degrees. Ill drained, ill paved, badly ventilated or dirty stables cannot 



