26 THE HORSE. 



CHAPTER VII. 



STABLES. 



The three most essential requisites in a well-built stable 

 are that it should be dry, airv, and warm. In order to 

 secure dryness, the site on which a stable is built should be 

 dry, and, if necessary, properly drained. It is desirable that 

 the site should possess a light, porous subsoil, of a sandy or 

 gravelly character, which is drained by natural means. A 

 clay subsoil is not good, but, if there is no other choice, 

 the site must be properly drained by means of diain-pipes 

 ])efore the stable is erected. Damp stables are extremely 

 unhealthy, and give rise to much illness, especially in the 

 winter. 



Ventilation. — In regard to the stable being airy, this is 

 attained by providing suitable ventilation and sufficient cubic 

 air space. Door and windows are the chief means of ventila- 

 tion ; in addition, small air-holes should be provided in the 

 wall on two adjacent sides, just underneath the eaves of the 

 roof or the ceiling. The window openings must be large, and 

 it is better to be too lavish than too economical Avitli window 

 space. An)pl© window space not only ensures plenty of fresh 

 air, but it also makes the stable light. It is essential that 

 plenty of light should come in.to the stable; dark stables are 

 unhealthy and stuffy. The windows must be so constructed 

 that they can be widely opened, while it is a good plan to 

 make them completely removable. This will admit of their 

 being replaced by frames covered with gauze in the summer. 



The Stable Door is best made in two separate halves, 

 a top and a bottom half, which open independently of on© 



