SLEEP — SLINGS 



Sleep, — Some horses, like some men, are very light 

 sleepers, and are disturbed by the slightest noise, the result 

 being that they come out in the morning unrested and unfit 

 for work. When, therefore, a horse seems to be mysteriously 

 languid, it is worth while trying to see if he sleeps properly, 

 and if not to remove him to a quiet stable apart from noisy 

 companions, whose restlessness and vagaries, such as kicking, 

 disturb him. In order to ensure quiet in the stable, ropes 

 or straps should always be used to secure the horses, as the 

 constant rattle of chains is enough to keep any animal 

 awake. (See Rest.) 



Sleeping Standing. — Some horses never lie down, and 

 the habit is practically incurable, though cases have been 

 known of its being abandoned when the victim of it has been 

 placed in a loose box with a good bed under him. (See 

 Rest:) 



Sleigh. — A serviceable sleigh for temporary purposes can 

 be arranged by removing the wheels of a pony-trap and 

 placing the body of the vehicle on runners. The difficulty 

 of getting a horse to fit the improvised sleigh owing to the 

 removal of the wheels may be overcome by using bent 

 shafts. 



Slings. — In cases of broken knees, or other troubles 

 which affect the limbs and feet, it is often necessary to sling 

 a horse, and as in the case of accidents it is frequently 

 necessary to get his weight off his feet as quickly as possible, 

 it is desirable that a set of slings should always be ready 

 at hand. A simple arrangement is to provide a double piece 

 of canvas strong enough and large enough to sustain the 

 weight of a horse when placed under his body, and having 

 the two top ends, namely, those to which the lines for hoisting 

 him off his feet will be attached, supplied with eyelet-holes 

 for the ropes to go through. The edges of these ends should 

 also be of double or treble thickness, or, better still, a strong 



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