94 THE CARE OF HORSES 



CHAPTER XII 



THE STABLE 



Stables, like houses, should be built with due con- 

 sideration to light, air, and drainage. 



Fig. 10, p. 23, shows the interior of my stables. On 

 the right-hand side of the double-door entrance is a 

 well-lighted and spacious harness-room, and outside 

 this is the inside water-tap, with a second pipe and 

 tap running through the wall for outside use. On 

 the left hand is a corn or forage chamber, equally 

 spacious and well lighted. Over the whole of this 

 is a loft, with double doors in the centre and a 

 large window on either side, to correspond with the 

 windows below. Over the stable, and running the 

 entire length, is a glass light with three movable 

 sashes, worked on either side by the lines attached to 

 the two first iron posts. 



On the right run the stalls, on the left the loose- 

 boxes. At the end are two large loose-boxes, in 

 which tired horses can rest and take gentle exercise. 

 These can be quickly and easily converted into 

 stalls. Here notice the bedding, well up at the 

 sides, and the tucked-in edges of the straw. 



The hayrack should never be placed over the 

 horse's head, as in pulling at the hay he receives the 

 dust in his eyes, which may prove very injurious. 

 The hay should be placed in or beside the manger. 



Fig. 49 gives a very good impression of ' better 

 days.' You may not believe it, but these stables are 

 still in use With a very little expense and amateur 

 labour they could soon be converted into snug and 

 airy stables. 



Air. — Horses need plenty of air, and to put them 

 in a dark, damp, and stuffy stable after being out all 

 day is a distinct act of cruelty. 



