76 ON STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



the evil. Stables that are kept hot, and not sufficiently ven- 

 tilated, are always damp. This arises from the breath and 

 vapor of the horse's body becoming condensed. When the 

 moisture has remained for a certain length of time, it acquires 

 an unpleasant smell, which must be peculiarly offensive to 

 an animal destined, in a state of nature, to be surrounded 

 with pure and wholesome air. In a state of health, a certain 

 evaporation from the surface of the body is constantly going 

 on : this is called insensible perspiration; it unloads the vessels 

 of the skin, invigorates the circulation of the blood, and 

 gives tone and health to the whole animal ; hence the neces- 

 sity of attending to the proper means of ventilation in the 

 construction of stables must be sufficiently evident. 



The best mode of ventilation is to have a tube, which may 

 be constructed of four boards nailed together, so as to form a 

 hollow box : this is carried from the centre of the ceiling 

 through the roof; a small ventilator may then be placed on it 

 above the roof; or a more simple and less expensive method 

 is, to furnish the tops with slanting caps, leaving sufficient 

 space for the hot air to pass off : this will prevent the rain 

 passing into the stable. 



On the Admission of Light. — Nothing is so detrimental to 

 the eyes as sudden transitions from darkness to a glaring light ; 

 and yet this is heedlessly disregarded. Many of our city stables 

 burn lamps during the day, (probably preferring darkness to 

 light.) It is well known, and most persons have experienced 

 the very unpleasant sensation of a mingled pain and giddi- 

 ness, which is not readily dismissed, after emerging from a 

 dark room or passage, and suddenly coming in contact with 

 the light. Daily repetitions of this would gradually injure 

 the eyesight, and probably blindness would be the result. 

 On the other hand, too much light is equally injurious. The 

 windows should be sashed so as to draw down from the top ; 

 and when the horse is at work, both these and the doors should 

 be open. 



The brush and currycomb are highly necessary for horses 

 kept in stables. Good rubbing promotes circulation of the 



