236 THE HORSE 



against the metal but its price — while it has the advantage that mice can- 

 not gnaw through it, and that it does not become decomposed by remaining 

 constantly damp, which is the case with wood, and is therefore much more 

 durable. The iron is generally lined with enamel, but as I believe that its 

 oxide is absolutely advantageous to the health of the horse when taken into 

 the stomach with his food, I do not care whether this additional expense is 

 incurred or not. The enamel always looks and is clean, which is in its 

 favour, but this is its only real advantage. With these preliminary observ- 

 ations, I shall describe each, and give their cost price in addition, so that in 

 fitting up a stable the proprietor may take his choice. 



(1) Wooden mangers may be economically made in part of elm or deal, 

 and in part of oak, which latter wood should always be used for the capping, 

 on account of the wear occasioned by the teeth, and for the bottoms, to 

 prevent decay. The top of the cap should be from 3 ft. 3 in. to 3 ft. 6 in. 

 from the ground, and the manger itself should be 13 in. wide at the top 

 and 9 in. at the bottom ; depth 1 1 in. The cap should be 4 in. deep 

 and 3 in. wide, and these should be firmly wedged into the wall or travis 

 at each end. The bottoms may be of inch oak, and the backs, ends, 

 and fronts of inch elm, or, if deal is used, they should be a little stouter. 

 Supposing low racks to be introduced also of wood, they should be 2 ft. 

 wide, and should project 5 in. below the manger, making them 16 in. 

 deep inside. An oak post must be dropped into the floor at the junction of 

 the two, so as to give strength at this part, and the two caps may be strongly 

 nailed or bolted to the top of this. The rack is generally made from 2 ft. 

 to 2 ft. 3 in. deep outside, which leaves a space below sufficient to ensure 

 the free passage of seeds and dust. 



(2) Iron mangers ai-e made of the same dimensions as the above, but 

 the capping of the rack is continuous with that of the manger, as shown in 

 the engraving at page 235. Both ought to be 5 in. wide, to prevent the 

 horse laying hold of the iron and thus wearing down his teeth. A water- tank 

 occupies one end of the space at the head of the stall, the manger the middle, 

 and the rack the other end, — the two former being generally enamelled in- 

 side. The addition of the tank is in favour of iron as a material ; for 

 water remaining in wood soon rots it, and hence, even if wooden mangers 

 are preferred, the tank, if adopted, must be of iron. There is a great variety 

 of patterns sold, suitable to stables of all kinds and sizes, but I know none 

 more adapted to the average private stable than the one I have first figured. 



In comparing the prices of wood and iron, it may be assumed that a 

 wooden manger and low rack will cost about 1/. including labour and 

 materials. The following are the prices of iron : — 



£ s. d. 

 Corner manger, witli water trough, but no rack, 3 ft. long, plain . , 10 



Ditto ditto enamelled 150 



Wrought-iron circular rack 9s. to 2 



Patent manger, rack and water trough, plain, with guard cap, brass 



plug and washer, each 376 



Ditto ditto enamelled 4 10 



Ditto ditto ditto sheeted in liont 7 



Ditto ditto ditto ditto upright rack 8 



Patent manger and rack, without trough, plain 3 



Ditto ditto enamelled 3 17 6 



Corner manger racks aud troughs for loose boxes, from 115 



Ditto ditto ditto to 9 



Patent halter guide and rein, extiu 100 



