ii8 THE HORSE 



and also because he can walk about in it and thus get 

 what exercise he needs. Moreover, he can amuse 

 himself better in a box stall, having more points of view 

 therefrom. Good dimensions for a box stall are twelve 

 feet by fifteen;^ but a box stall only just large enough 

 for the horse to turn around in, say eight feet by eight, 

 is a great deal better than any straight stall. The shape 

 of the box stall is not very important, but, preferably, 

 it should be oblong, as in a stall of that shape the horse 

 is likely to take more exercise if he needs it; he walks 

 to the end of the stall and back, whereas a square- 

 shaped box stall has no end and no beginning. 



It is sometimes said that horses do not care to stretch 

 their legs out straight while lying down, and that it is 

 more natural for them to lie " folded up," as horsemen 

 say, that is, with the knees and hocks bent, and their 

 legs under them. Horses in a pasture, it is said, 

 usually lie down in this manner; and that may be true, 

 but if so, it is because during thousands of years their 

 wild ancestors were accustomed to lie " folded up," 

 for in that position they could more easily and quickly 

 spring to their feet in case an enemy approached. But 

 when they have an opportunity, horses in a stable will 

 lie at full length, with every leg stretched out, as can 

 easily be discovered by anybody who will take the pains 

 to investigate the matter. This Is a common way for 

 horses to lie in box stalls, and even in straight stalls 

 when they are wide enough. 



The slope of the stall from the manger backward 



1 An English authority gives the proper dimensions of a hunter's box 

 as twenty-two feet long and thirteen wide. 



