CONSTRUCTION OF STABLES. 333 



the stalls, called the travis, should he made of inch-and-a-half 

 or two-inch hoards, closely jointed. The length of the travis 

 may be from five to nine feet, the latter being preferred, as 

 it more effectually prevents the horses from kicking each other. 

 The hight of the partition should be about seven feet at the 

 head and five at the heels. The travis is supported by two 

 posts, one at the head and the other at the heels. The heel- 

 post should be round, or have the corners rounded. The 

 posts should reach the joists above. Some have the heel-post 

 only as high as the partition. The posts should be firmly 

 placed, so the stall may not give way. 



The proper width for the stalls is about five and a half or 

 six feet. It would be well to have one partition so constructed 

 as to be easily taken out, to throw two stalls together for a 

 horse-box for a sick horse. 



The feed-trough, or manger, may be made of wood, but an 

 iron one would be better. The common low manger is very 

 inconvenient, and affords great opportunities for wasting. The 

 wooden manger is generally made long enough to reach clear 

 across the stall. This is longer than necessary. Thirty or 

 thirty-six inches is long enough. It should be one foot broad 

 and ten or eleven inches deep. The manger should have no 

 rough or sharp edges for the horse to bruise or cut himself on. 

 A ring is generally attached to the manger, to which to fasten 

 the collar-rein. This should be placed about nine inches from 

 the partition. The top of the manger should be about three 

 and a half or four feet above the floor of the stall. 



The hay-rack should be placed in the opposite corner from 

 the manger, if a side rack is used. The front rack, of course, 

 extends the width of the stall. The front of the rack should 

 be perpendicular, and the back so inclined that the hay will 

 all the time be in the horse's reach. Recesses afford the best 

 opportunity for properly constructed racks. If the rack is 

 much slanting, it is difficult for the horse to get the hay, and 

 the eyes are more exposed to getting hay-seed in them. The 



