THE STABLE. 359 



dangerous as subjecting him to a cold atmosphere from 3 

 warm stable. Many a horse has been seized with inflam- 

 mation and fever after having been worked and returned to 

 a hot stable, filled with the noxious gas above alluded to, 

 and more especially if he was cold at the time. Nothing is 

 worse than the sudden change from one temperature to 

 another. From this thousands of horses yearly meet their 

 death. 



Stables should never be built longer than with accommo- 

 dation for five or six horses, as repose after working is 

 of vital importance ; and where there are many together, it 

 is more than probable that some will be awake while the 

 others are asleep, and disturb them. 



The dimensions of a stable, in proportion to the number 

 of horses, is a most important point. A stable for six 

 horses should be from thirty-eight to forty feet in length, 

 from thirteen to fifteen feet wide, and about twelve feet in 

 height. It is always of consequence to have the roof of a 

 stable plastered, whether there is a hay loft above it or not 

 This will prevent currents of air from passing through the 

 floor. There should always be a few central tiles to allow 

 the hot air to escape and give place to that which is pure 

 and cold. These tiles should be furnished with protecting 

 ledges, to prevent the rain from entering ; or, what is per- 

 haps better, large tubes should be carried through the roof, 

 with caps a little way above them, to prevent the rain from 

 beating in. A third plan is to have gratings placed high in 

 the walls. ' These last ought to be as near the roof as pos- 

 sible, and shut and opened by a cover, as occasion requires. 



In summer and autumn the stable ought never to be 

 more than a few degrees warmer than the atmosphere. In 

 winter not more than fifteen degrees, because the hair is 

 thicker at this season than in summer. . 



