200 THK IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



Stable Management ; it necessarily, therefore, from its 

 importance, demands our strictest observation and 

 care, since to negligence in this department of the 

 general economy of the animal may be traced most of 

 those diseases which militate against and derange the 

 natural functions of the body. 



In his natural state, the horse enjoys all the advan- 

 tages of fresh and pure air, with no restriction of light ; 

 the first things then that claim our attention must be 

 the Construction and Ventilation of the stables. 



In the construction of these buildings there are many 

 points to be kept in view ; viz., situation, loftiness, the 

 due width of stalls, and a proper declivity of the 

 floor. 



Situation is a thing to which we are unable, very 

 frequently, to attend : an elevated spot is always to be 

 taken if possible : valleys and wet marshy ground are 

 very prejudicial to the comfort and health of the horse: 

 all low situations are apt to exhale a moist and chilly 

 air, which will engender rheumatism or colds, and 

 at times even fever. The soil is also much drier on 

 high ground than in a hollow. 



Loftiness is particularly essential ; it allows & freer 

 circulation of air than when the building is low. 



The size of the stable must vary according to the 

 number of horses it is intended to contain. For half a 

 dozen, forty feet in length by fourteen in width is as 

 little a space as could be allowed for their use. Tne 

 height should vary from fifteen to eighteen feet, al- 

 though they seldom rise higher than twelve, and some 

 not so much, especially when the loft is over the 

 stalls. 



In all cases it is necessary to plaster the roof or 

 ceiling ; in the first instance it prevents the admission 

 of any currents of air ; in the other, it keeps the bad at- 



