THE STABLE 99 



up a black coat or hat. You will soon see how it 

 changes colour. 



Drainage. — The floor of a stable should have 

 grooves in it running from the sides to a centre 

 groove, at the end of which a drain-grating should 

 be placed, at the back of each stall. A sloping floor 

 with the drainage finding a common level from stall 

 to stall, and finally into one common drain-grating 

 placed in some odd corner, means that there must 

 always be a constant stream of escaping urine and 

 foulness. And the slope is very injurious and weary- 

 ing to the horse's legs. You will, however, constantly 

 find stables so arranged, and in winter, when the 

 doors and windows must be shut to keep out the 

 blustering wind and driving rain, the atmosphere is 

 anything but pleasant. No, depend upon it, 'the 

 right way is the best way,' and ' cleanliness is health.' 

 And the shortest and surest way to attain this most 

 desirable result I think I have now very clearly 

 explained to you. 



The Loose Box. — There are many advantages to be 

 reaped from the use of a loose box, and no stables 

 should be built without at least one. They can be 

 used as ' rests ' in cases of a hard-worked horse, where 

 he can take gentle exercise when it pleases him, 

 and can enjoy the great pleasure of assuming any 

 and every change of attitude he likes. Also, he is 

 enabled to lie down when he pleases, especially in 

 that abandoned and luxuriant attitude horses love to 

 lie in when turned loose in fields — at full length, 

 legs stretched out and head thrown back, much as 

 children lie when wearied by play. 



In cases of sickness a loose box is almost indis- 

 pensable. It should be level floored, roomy, with 

 plenty of top air and ventilation, and well lighted. 



7—2 



