56 HAYRACKS AND MANGERS. 



the windows can then be left open and those positive pests to a stable in sum- 

 mer, the flies, are thus excluded. But I went a little further than this, and, as 

 the expense is not more than twenty shillings once in half as many years, I ven- 

 ture to recommend it. I had also a framed door on which the same mate- 

 rial as that for the extra window frames was stretched. This opened the re- 

 verse way to the usual stable door. It was made to take on and off the 

 hinges, so that in hot weather the close door could be fastened open and the 

 stable kept cool. This, of course, can only be done where the stable is in a 

 secure situation ; but where it can, it is a great convenience at times in ex- 

 tremelv hot weather." 



HAYRACKS. 



The old-fashioned habit of placing the hayrack high 

 above the horses' heads has been almost entirely discontinued, 

 as it compelled the horse to eat in an unnatural and con- 

 strained position. In addition, it had the more serious fault 

 of causing the horse's eyesight to be endangered by the pro- 

 jecting spears of hay. If the hay is not chopped up into 

 chaff, it is better to place it on the floor. The objection to a 

 low rack is that the horse may get his foot over it and become 

 injured in trying to free himself. An occasional accident of 

 this nature is more expensive than the possible daily waste 

 of a small amount of hay caused by the horse trampling it 

 under foot. 



MANGERS. 



Mangers have been greatly improved during the last few 

 years, and well-constructed ones are now offered at almost 

 half the price asked a few years ago for the old clumsy pat- 

 terns. They should be of a non-porous material, made with- 

 out angles on the inside and with an opening in the bottom 

 so that they can be washed out. The so-called " slow feed- 

 ing " patterns are not especially desirable for general use, as 

 they do not actually prevent the horse from bolting his food. 



