Stalls or Boxes. 501 



cleanliness and ventilation are neglected, the improvement effected by the best deodoriser will 

 be very partial, and leave the root of the mischief unattacked. 



Windows should be provided with inside or outside shutters or louvres, to keep out the 

 light, heat, and flies in summer. 



Stable doors should be not less than seven feet by four feet ; eight feet by five are better 

 dimensions, as they allow a horseman to ride out after mounting in the stable. Doors should 

 be divided into two sections, so that the upper may be opened in hot weather, and its place, 

 if needful, supplied by a lattice door. The fastening of the door should never project. Many 

 a valuable horse has been blemished by a projecting key carelessly left in the lock. 



The question of stalls or bo.xes is like that of the gold and silver shields — both, properly 

 constructed, are good. To have the whole of a large stud in bo.xes is simply impossible; 

 but however small the stud, the owner should contrive to have a certain number of boxes. 

 An idle horse gets exercise, and a tired horse gets a degree of rest in boxes for every leg, 

 that cannot be enjoyed in stalls. 



Stalls for full-sized horses should be full wide. A set designed by Lord Combermere 

 are all six feet six inches wide, but six feet is generally ample. Stalls should not be less 

 than nine feet six inches long ; ten feet is better. Horses constantly get kicked in short stalls. 



Small horses not exceeding fifteen hands may be accommodated in narrower stalls. In 

 London, where stable-rent is very high, large horses are constantly packed into such narrow 

 stalls that it is a wonder how they can lie down. 



Many cases of fractured hip-bone and dislocated spine have arisen from horses lying 

 down in stalls too narrow for them. The divisions should always be so high that the occu- 

 pants will not be tempted to try to bite or kick each other. Where well-bred mares are 

 rails are objectionable; the division should be solid to the top. If the hinder part is not as 

 hiffh as the roof, it is better that it should be not more than four feet two inches, without a 

 projecting pillar. Many a horse turning quickly in his stall at the call of an impatient groom 

 has injured an eye by striking it against a high ornamental pillar or ball crowning the stall- 

 posts. In the stalls of valuable horses coarse hempen mats should be hung at the end of each 

 side of the stall. 



It is not necessary to describe the details of a well-fitted stable, because they may be 

 seen at the establishments of any stable-fitting manufacturer. In London the St. Pancras 

 Company has a show-room a hundred feet long, fitted with every variety of stable establish- 

 ment, from the cheapest to the most expensive. 



Where it is decided to have lofts over stables, the best floor of the loft is of brick, 

 arched, or of concrete ; if of wood, the space between the floor and the ceiling should be 

 filled up with old mortar, chalk, or other non-inflammable material, in order to exclude vermin 

 and deaden all sound. 



If the stable-yard is not covered with a roof, a convenient room, with a paved or asphalte 

 floor, should be provided, for washing, singeing, and clipping horses. If gas is not available 

 staples should be provided for fixing lamps, so as to obtain a first-rate light at night. It is an 

 advantage if this washing-room adjoins the stables, and communicates with them by a wide door. 



It is disadvantageous to have the coach-house and saddle-room communicating with the 

 stable, because the fumes are sure to tarnish metal and glazed leather. 



The harness and saddle room should be well provided with stands for saddles and harness, 

 hanging-hooks for cleaning bridles, and with cases with glazed doors, which are for hanging 

 up sets of harness, bridles, and bits, so that what is not used may be seen daily and not left 



