290 THE HORSE 



while others would never have their stables, if they could help it, above 

 45. So much depends upon the kind of horse in them, and the work he 

 has to do, that is to say, whether he is much exposed to the cold or not, 

 that no rule can be laid down which is applicable to all stables, but I believe 

 it may be asserted that none should be above 60, or below 50, if it can 

 be avoided. There are days in the summer season, when the air out of 

 doors in the shade stands at 90 or 95, and, of course, in such weather, it 

 is impossible, even with the doors and windows wide open, to keep the stable 

 at a lower degree, or even within several points of those above stated. So 

 also, with a thermometer scarcely above zero, it will be difficult to keep the 

 air wholesome, and yet to prevent its temperature falling lower than 45, 

 which, at such seasons, feels very warm to those who come in from the 

 external air. But, with these exceptions, I think the rule which I have 

 laid down is a good one. The warmer the stable, the better the coat looks, 

 till it is exposed to the weather, and even if it is so, it will take no injury 

 if the horse is kept moving, but if not, it soon becomes chilled, and not only 

 does the general health suffer, but the appearance also. There is, however, 

 another, and very serious objection to hot stables, consisting in their ill effect 

 upon the legs and feet, which inflame much more readily in a warm atmo- 

 sphere than in a cool one. I have often known horses stand severe rattling 

 for months together, while standing in a stable which was so cold as to 

 make their coats as rough as badgers, but when removed to warmer quarters, 

 they have at once gone " all to pieces," their legs or feet becoming inflamed 

 from missing the refrigerating effect of cool air after their daily work. The 

 body may easily be, kept warm enough by extra clothing, and, if necessary, 

 a hood and breastplate may be worn all day and all night, but not even wet 

 bandages will cool the legs if they are surrounded by hot air. On the 

 whole, therefore, for the private gentleman's stable, including those for 

 hunters, hacks, and carriage-horses, I should advise a regular temperature 

 to be preserved as near 55 of Fahrenheit as possible. In coming in from 

 the external air this will appear very warm to the sensations, but it is far 

 below the high state of heat at which many of our stables were kept, until 

 within the last few years. I have often known 70 to 75 of Fahrenheit 

 insisted on as the lowest which would suffice to get a hunter into condition, 

 but practice proves the reverse, and that with plenty of clothing he will do 

 in a cool stable of the temperature I have recommended, far better than in 

 one possessing a higher range. The celebrated " Nimrod " (Mr. Apperley) 

 was a great advocate for a hot stable, which he thought ought never to be 

 reduced much below 70 or 75; but his opinions, valuable as they 

 undoubtedly are in the main, cannot be looked upon as in all points to be 

 relied on. 



REMEDIES FOR STABLE VICES AND BAD 



HABITS 



CRIB-BITING is a diseased condition of the stomach, for which there has 

 never yet been a cure discovered, except on the principle of restraint. It 

 may, therefore, be considered under the present head. In crib-biting the 

 teeth are applied to some fixed object generally the manger, so as to afford 



