106 



space inside of them to the depth of a foot or so, preserving the 

 natural fall of the ground, if it has any. If not, the surface may 

 be made to slope in any direction that is most convenient. On this 

 surface I shall lay rows, about two feet apart, of ordinary draining 

 tiles (a), so as to carry water off to the main drain, D. This drain 

 may be either built with bricks, or made of large tile pipes, and may 

 be either inside or outside the building. But if it is outside as 

 shown, and covered only by a light board, it will give facilities for 

 clearing the small drains now and then with a long iron rod ; and if 

 the board be left off in summer, some amount of ventilation and 

 coolness will be secured below the horses' feet. If it is intended to 

 have ordinary stall divisions, the foundations for their posts must be 

 laid at this stage ; but I am more in favour of a small log or two 

 hung from the roof by a chain, as is sometimes done in large stables, 

 and is quite sufficient for all but very vicious horses. 



''Above the small tiles I shall lay gravel or ashes (g), about a foot 

 deep, commencing with some about the size of ordinary road metal, 

 about six inches deep, and gradually reducing it in size until the top 

 is levelled all over with some about the size of beans. On the top 

 of this level surface of gravel rough slabs of wood (b) are to be laid 

 — ' outsides ' from a saw mill are the best for the purpose. They 

 should be laid at right angles to the position of the horse while 

 standing in his stall, and in passing to it, which will give him better 

 footing if at any time they chance to become uncovered." 



Upon these boards I shall lay the sawdust (c), three inches deep 

 at first, but as it is added to every day, it will soon be much deeper, 

 until it is thought necessary to clear the whole of it out and begin 

 again. 



Tan Beds. — In using this material, spread it about six inches thick 

 and remove the dung occasionally. Tan will last for months in a 

 yard; but in a loose box it becomes saturated with the salts of the 

 urine, and should be changed every month or six weeks. 



BITS AND BITTING HORSES. 



The following admirable description we extract from the Field : 

 — " The breaking snaffle is usually a large, smooth mouthpiece 

 jointed in the middle, with keys attached to the centre of it for 

 the young horse to play with, so that he may keep his mouth 

 moist, a very necessary point. With a breaking snaffle it is always 

 advisable to have a martingal, as it gives the rider more control 

 over the young horse, and prevents him getting his head into 

 bad positions. The breaking snaffle should always bo large and 



