84 THE STOCK owner's ADVISEE, 



LIGHT. 



Light is essential to the growth and development of every 

 object in the world. Our stables, therefore, should be well 

 lighted and made as pleasant as possible. Light is especially 

 necessary for the young animal. If kept in dark stables their 

 eyesight will be injured, and they will become diseased. No 

 special directions can be laid down regarding the lighting of 

 stables, nor can special directions be given for ventilation. The 

 owner must exercise his own judgment. 



BEDDING AND CLOTHING. 



Straw makes as good a bed as anything. It should be kept 

 perfectly clean, the manure and the urine being removed every 

 morning. Where floor and concrete stalls are used, the horse 

 should have a bed to stand on as well as to lie down on. About 

 three inches of damp sawdust makes a good bed to stand on. 

 Clothing for the horse is highly necessary. No better invest- 

 ment can be made than the purchase of a good^ thick, and sub- 

 stantial blanket for use during cold and stormy weather. Ex- 

 posure to beating rain and cold atmosphere, without protection, 

 is very detrimental to the animal's health. The horse, even 

 when the weather is not very cold, if driven hard and perspira- 

 tion is produced, if allowed to stand in the wind, will take cold. 

 The horse owner should be especially careful in the spring 

 months. The first warm days are forerunners of pneumonia and 

 fevers, caused by the temperature being suddenly checked by 

 the cool atmosj)here of the spring months. 



The blanket should be employed when the blood has become 

 unusually heated by severe exercise, or when he is suddenly 

 changed from one extreme temperature into another, and when 

 enfeebled by disease. If a blanket is used in the stable, it should 

 be light in weight. Where stables are so arranged that a uni- 

 form temperature can be maintained, blankets should not be 

 used. 



