STABLING. 25-5 



parts, upper and lower, in order that the former may be 

 conveniently opened in warm weather. It should likewise 

 be free of any fastening that projects in even an apparently 



trifling degree. 



Good ventilation is an absolute necessity in a stable ; 

 but in saying this I do not mean that it should be over- 

 done. Up to the year 1788 the subject was but little 

 thought of, and ever since that period there has been a 

 constant outcry against "hot" stables. Such, no doubt, 

 are highly dangerous, but so are cold ones ; and many 

 persons insist upon confounding hot with foiil, whereas the 

 terms need have no connection whatever with one another. 

 In cases of sickness it may be necessary to keep a horse in 

 a warm stable, but no ailment that ever was heard of can 

 possibly be benefited by being nursed in a foul or vitiated 

 atmosphere. There is a great deal of talk about temper- 

 ature with regard to stables, but very little indeed con- 

 cerning purity : a matter which ought really to engage far 

 more attention. 



To ventilate a stable properly there ought to be apertures 

 for taking away the foul air, and further apertures for 

 admitting a fresh supply — and these must be placed high 

 up, near the roof; otherwise they will tend to make the 

 stable unduly cold. 



When air is exhaled from a horse's lungs it is both 

 lighter and warmer than that which surrounds it, conse- 

 quently it ascends to the highest part of the building, and if 

 permitted to escape there it can do no harm. If, however, 

 there is no aperture so high up, it remains at the top until 



