44 ON THE CECONOMY OF THE STABLE. 



derived from Italy. Indeed there is this in- 

 convenience attendant upon fixed racks and 

 mangers, that they are always contaminated 

 with the breath and flaver of the horfe, whofe 

 flomach is alfo palled by having his foul difhes 

 ever before him ; and it would be better, both 

 on account of room and cleanlinefs, did it not 

 trench too much upon convenience in another 

 refpeft, to have both racks and mangers move- 

 able. The modern circular rack, placed in the 

 corner or centre, is certainly an improvement 

 of the old form, which extended quite acrofs 

 the flail, and was commonly fixed externally 

 from the head boards, the top of the flaves 

 leaning forwards, from which pofition the 

 horfe was conflantly in danger of receiving the 

 hay feeds in his eyes. Were a moveable rack 

 required, the round one could eafily be con- 

 trived to flide up to the hay-loft, and back 

 again, as occafion demanded. It is remarked 

 by feverai of the ancient writers, that the racks 

 are generally placed too high, which obliges 

 horfes to an unnatural method of feeding, and 

 by flraining the neck, occafions many to be- 

 come ewe-necked : on this account Peter 

 Crefcentius recommends placing the hay as 

 low as the horfe's knees ; and it is very cer- 

 tain, that moft. horfes prefer eating their hay 

 from the ground, and if with it they fhould eat 

 their clean litter, I know of no harm it could 



do 



