10 STABLING. 



(in which a horse is tied up all the time he is not at 

 work in nearly the same position), and is indispensable 

 in cases of illness. Loose-boxes should be paved with 

 narrow bricks ; and when prepared for the reception of 

 an animal whose shoes have been removed, the floor 

 should be covered with sawdust or tan, or either of 

 these mixed with fine sandy earth, or, best of all, peat- 

 mould when procurable, — any of which, where the in- 

 disposition is confined to the feet only, may be kept 

 slightly moistened with water to cool them. 



In cases of general illness, straw should be used for 

 bedding ; and where the poor beast is likely to injure 

 himself in paroxysms of pain, the walls or partitions 

 should be well padded in all parts within his reach, and 

 as a further precaution let the door be made to open 

 outwards, and be fastened by a bolt, as latches some- 

 times cause accidents. 



Partitions should be carried high enough towards the 

 head to prevent the horses from being able to bite one 

 another, or get at each other's food. 



With regard to stable-kickers, see the remarks on 

 this subject under the head of "Vice " (page 85). 



Racks and Mangers are now made of iron, so that 

 horses can no longer gnaw away the manger piecemeal. 

 Another improvement is that of placing the rack on a 

 level with and beside the manger, instead of above the 

 horses' heads; but notwithstanding this more reason- 

 able method of feeding hay when whole, it is far prefer- 

 able to give it as manger-food cut into chaff. 



Flooring. — In the construction of most stables a 

 cruel practice is thoughtlessly adopted by the way of 

 facilitating drainage (and in dealers' stables to make 

 horses look large), viz., that of raising the paving to- 



