2i6 THE STABLE 



a man. So one needs to examine carefully and 

 to reason closely as to the actual value even 

 of air and sunshine. 



The range is dry, parched, and above all 

 things hard ; and from the hardest ground 

 come the breeds of especial value by reason of 

 sound limbs and steel-like hoofs. The hard- 

 ness of ground is due to the fierce light and heat 

 of desert climates. 



Again it is known that sunlight kills the 

 germs of nearly all diseases, provided the air 

 can reach them. 



Unless they are robbed of their coats horses 

 are almost indifferent to the greatest known 

 extremes of dry heat and dry cold ; yet, if 

 exposed to wind they lose weight rapidly, and 

 are intensely susceptible to draughts. The 

 horse's natural shelter is a wind break. 



To meet all these conditions the stable in 

 rainy chmates must have a roof to keep the 

 standings dr}^, and yet should be roofed with 

 glass to let in sufficient light to kill all germs of 

 disease. 



,^ Yet any stable, warmed by the heat of 

 horses, however carefully cleaned, is fouled by 

 their dung and water, and so becomes a forcing 

 house to breed disease unless one removes the 

 walls. There should be no walls, but the 



