STABLE MANAGEMENT. 67 



to lie down at ease, but not so wide that it will attempt to turn around 

 in it. Such attempts may lead to serious consequences. Where 

 the stall has a sloping floor, the bedding should be spread so as to 

 equalize the difference and present a level surface. A horse rests 

 much better on a level bed than on one so sloping as to give the 

 constant sensation of slipping into the gutter. 



STABLE HABITS AND VICES. 



Horses which stand idle in their stalls for any considerable part 

 of the time, are liable to learn unpleasant habits, while other and 

 more serious faults come from innate or acquired viciousness. One 



Fig. 46.— INDIA-RUBBER HORSE COVER. 



of the worst habits is that of kicking in the stall. This undoubtedly 

 comes at first from nervous restlessness, and finally grows by use to 

 a confirmed habit. Mares are more likely to acquire the habit than 

 geldings. Animals that are perfectly kind and otherwise peaceable 

 will sometimes learn to keep up a steady tattoo at night with their 

 heels against the sides of their stalls. Capped hocks and other 

 injuries are common results, to say nothing of the damage to the 

 stalls. It is useless to punish a horse by whipping for this habit. 

 Indeed, when fully confirmed, it is scarcely ever permanently cured. 

 It may be restrained by suspending a horizontal bar immediately 



