STABLES AND STABLE MANAGEMENT 97 



it follows that the greater the space to be littered, the 

 less amount of straw will be soiled and trodden upon 

 and have to be removed. In regard to size, twelve feet 

 by thirteen feet is a fair size for a loose-box, and 

 thirteen feet in length by eight feet in width for a 

 stall. Nothincj is more dangerous than for a horse 

 excited by the idea of leaving the stable to be obliged 

 to turn round in a narrow stall. 



The slope of the surface flooring of a stall has long 

 been a subject of disagreement amongst men of the 

 greatest experience in all matters connected with the 

 stable. We state at once that we think the gradient 

 should be five and a half inches in thirteen feet. If the 

 rider wants to stand still by covert-side or anywhere 

 else, and leaves the position to the horse, he will choose 

 to place his forelegs on an elevation on a proportionate 

 gradient to the one we have given with his hind legs. 

 We contend, therefore, that this position is the most 

 natural and the most comfortable one for the horse. 

 We have noticed that where the surface is flat, horses 

 contract the pernicious habit of "standing over." In 

 most hunting and racing stables a gradient such as we 

 have described is now usually found."^ 



We have now completed our survey of the struchcre 

 of a stable, and have endeavoured to make that survey 

 embrace either a two- stall or a twenty-stall stable. 

 We further trust that those of our readers who have 

 stables ready provided for them will have learnt how 



^ We ought to mention that the Duke of Beaufort is in favour 

 of the flat surface, and that such a surface is invariably used at 

 Badminton. 



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