98 THE CARE OF HORSES 



silly, and for want of something to do he often takes 

 to crib-biting and wind-sucking. If he can see what 

 is going on he draws his own conclusion about the 

 meaning of things, and will be much less likely to 

 behave foolishly on the road. 



Colour, too, must be considered. Pure white is 

 too glaring to have to stare at on every side all day 

 long, with nothing to rest the eye. When tiles are 

 used they should be of a uniform tint, and not 

 chequered. Pale blue inclining to gray is a very 

 restful colour, so also is pale amber or pale blue- 

 green. All these colours or tints of colour harmonize 

 with Nature's tints outside the stable, and do not 

 make vivid contrasts like white. They do not startle 

 the eyes, either on leaving or entering the stable, 

 and form a very important factor in the health and 

 well-being of horses. In all modern and improved 

 stables this important part of their structure is well 

 considered, and old stables can now also be con- 

 verted into pleasant and healthy abodes by means of 

 the easily and cheaply obtainable distempering. 



Ventilation. — A horse ought never to stand in a 

 thorough draught or have a window immediately 

 behind and on a level with him, with no other 

 ventilation. There should always be a top ventila- 

 tion to allow the hot, foul air to escape, and then the 

 windows can allow as much fresh air as possible to 

 get in. My opinion is this : a horse's work is neces- 

 sarily out of doors ; he wants a constant supply of 

 cool, fresh air. Very well. Keep the stables cool. 

 Rug up, however, as much as is necessary to keep 

 the horse comfortably warm, but not to sweat him. 

 His coat, with proper grooming and feeding, will 

 then be as glossy as satin. A foul stable will soon 

 affect a horse's coat, making it dull, harsh, and dry. 

 If you want to know the very poisonous effect of the 

 ammonia and stench of a foul and dirty stable, hang 



