2fiC 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



ON THE STABLE AND ITS VENTILATION. 



Loftiness is very desirable in a stable, and 

 when it can be made from fifteen to twenty 

 feet high, ventilation becomes a matter of no 

 ^reat importance. It should never be less 

 than twelve feet high, and then some method 

 of ventilation becomes necessary. 



A chimney, or square opening in the ceil- 

 ing, coTiimunicating with the open air, is the 

 best method ; or it may be made in the form 

 of a dome or cupola, which would be more 

 ornamental. The chimney need not be open 

 at the top, so as to admit the rain ; but should 

 be roofed, and have lateral openings by means 

 of weather-boards, as they are termed. 



As to the admission of air into a stable, the 

 usual means provided for that purpose are 

 quite sufficient ; that is, by w indows. A 

 stable, when properly paved, and kept mo- 

 derately clean, requires only a shallow wide 

 gutter ; twelve inches wide, one inch deep. 

 The best floor for a stable, by far, is hard 

 brick ; and next to that, lime-stone, not less 

 than one foot square. 



The floor of the stall should never incline 

 more than one inch in a yard ; and the in- 

 clination should be continued bade to the 

 fjutter only. Some litter should always be 

 allowed for a Horse to stale upon, which 



should be always swept away as oflen as ia 

 necessary. This, with a pail or two of water, 

 thrown upon the floor, and swept off while the 

 Horse is at exercise, will jieep the stable per- 

 fectly clean, and free from ofTecsive smells. 

 The depth of a stable should never be less 

 than twenty feet, nor the height, as I observed 

 before, less than twelve. The width of a stall 

 should not be less than six feet clear. But 

 when there is sufficient room, it is a much 

 better plan to allow each l!or>e a space of ten 

 or twelve feet, where he may be loose, and 

 exercise himself a little. This will be an 

 effectual means of avoiding swollen heels, 

 and a great relief to Horses that are worked 

 hard. With respect to the rack and manger : 

 the manger should never be less than eighteen 

 inches deep ; eighteen inches from the front 

 to the back part; and two feet in length. 



The rack may be with staves in the front, 

 like a common rack ; but it is better to have 

 it partly closed in front. The back part of 

 the rack should be an inclined plane, made 

 of wood, should be gradually sloped towards 

 the front, and should terminate about two 

 feet down. Such a rack will hold more hay 

 than ever ought to be put before one Horse. 

 The advantages of this rack are numerous. 



