124 



THE HORSE 



for as lime is ahv.ays an expensive article, the filling in is not sufficiently 

 attended to, and the wet is allowed to enter, more or less. Of course, 

 attention to the proper performance of his work by the stonemason will 

 ob^nate these objections ; and some supervision of this kind is required, 

 whether brick or stone is selected as the material for the walls. In any 

 case, a good thickness should be allowed, in order to keep an even tempera- 

 ture ; and for walls much exposed to the east or north, less than 1 4 in. 

 should never be adopted as the dimensions. 



TnR DOORS of stables are generally made of yellow, or, as it is called in 

 the midland districts, red deal. Sometimes elm is used, but it is very 

 liable to cast or warp. Oak or teak are used sometimes, when expense is 

 not studied. Unless the proprietor is very particular about appearances, 

 wliat is called a "ledge door" is considered sufficient, the rails being of 

 l^r in. stuff, and the boards which are only 

 nailed on, from f in. to 1 in. thick ; but a 

 framed door is stronger and lasts longer. The 

 ordinary thumb-latch is very apt to catch in 

 the skin of the horse as he passes through, 

 causing often a severe wound, and on that 

 account a sunk catch is preferred which drops 

 into a recess made for it in the door-frame, 

 but this is not adapted for a "ledge-door," a 

 frame at least 2 in. in thickness being neces- 

 sary to allow of the lock being let in. For 

 loose boxes the door should be made with the 

 upper half of open iron-work ; the framing may 

 be of wood, but as this is liable to be gnawed 

 by the horse on the edges, it is better to make 

 it in wrought iron, the lower part only being 

 filled in with wood, as in the annexed engrav- 

 ing. In a door of this construction the hinges 

 are so arranged that with a rounded edge to 

 the frame there is no sharp pi'ojection, and even 

 when wide open the hip of the horse passing through cannot possibly be 

 injui-ed. Common ledge doors of deal may be hung with oi'dinary iron 

 hinges and thumb-latches for about 30s. to 355. each, while framed doors 

 will run up to 51. and 61. apiece. No door should be less than 3. ft. 

 G. in. wide and 7 ft. high, and the outer door is better if made 3 ft. 9 in. 

 or even 4 ft. in the clear. 



DOOR FOB I/)0?E BOX. 



DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY 



Next in importance to the choice of the situation and aspect, is the 

 method to be adopted in draining the stable. The former cannot well 

 be altered, buc the latter may, and therefore I have placed it second. To 

 ensure the perfect performance of the office of cleansing the stable, the 

 first thing to be done is to provide a means of receiving the liquid which 

 constantly must fall upon the flooring, consisting pai'tly of the urine of the 

 horses, and partly of the water used in keeping it clean. Several plans are 



