STABLE CONSTRUCTION AND FITTINGS. 55 



Partitions and bails. — In military stables partitions exist as a rule Partitions 

 only where stalls and loose boxes join ; in front they should prevent and bails, 

 horses seeing or touching each other, and be high enough behind to 

 absolutely stop all chance of an animal kicking over the top. Bails are 

 the usual fittings for the separation of stalls in large stables of all descrip- 

 tions, and they may range in design from a simple wood or iron pole lo a 

 deep, heavy boarding, occupying the rear half of the stall. The bail is 

 either suspended from the manger in front and the stall post behind, or 

 hung from the roof. With heavy patterns the former is the stronger 

 method, but either is suitable for poles. 



A simple pole, of wood or iron, is a sufficient stall division as long as 

 the horses are quiet, but however it is arranged it can be but little 

 protection against kickers. The most suitable height is probably mid- 

 way between hock and stifle, which will give as much protection as 

 possible to the animal attacked, and if the aggressor kicks over it, will 

 injure him as little as may be. A quick release hook should be fitted to 

 all bails, but springs which act automatica.lly, when extra weight is placed 

 on them, are to be avoided ; they become weak, and ultimately drop the 

 bail on the least touch. 



Deep, heavy bails of boarding, swinging about two inches clear of the 

 floor, and reaching half way up the stall, are much better protection 

 against kickers : they must be strong and solid so that they do not swing 

 too much when struck, or break from the force of the blow. In fitting 

 heavy bails care must be taken that they are close enough to the ground 

 to prevent a hoof being entrapped beneath them. 



Kicking boards may be attached to pole bails, to aff'ord extra protec- Kicking 

 tion. These are simply a single or double depth of boards, preferably boards, 

 double, which are hinged to the under surface of the rear half of the bail : 

 they do not prevent all kicking accidents, but are a very desirable 

 addition to the ordinary bail, easily attached and moved when necessary. 

 Of whatever pattern the bails are, they should be of the strongest 

 materials ; the wood employed must be of a tough grain and at least a 

 double thickness of board is desirable. Horses kick very hard, and if 

 the wood breaks the offender is not only encouraged, but the chance of 

 more serious accidents is incurred, if a leg gets through the gap made. 



Ma?igers are now made entirely of iron. They should be large, broad, Mangers, 

 with a perfectly smooth surface, and all corners well rounded. An over- 

 hanging lip to prevent food being wasted when the horse scatters it by 

 blowing or nuzzling in it, is sometimes found, but it lends itself to 

 accumulating dirt unless well attended to. Broad, shallow mangers are 

 to be preferred to deep, narrow ones, as the greedy horse cannot plunge 



