THE LOOSE BOXES AND THE STALLS. 5 



The stalls are of the following dimensions ; width, six feet 

 two inches in the clear ; height at head, seven feet six inches 

 tapering to five feet one inch at the tail — both ends being un- 

 usually high for the safety and well-being of the horses ; two 

 paramount objects. This height may appear extreme, and has 

 the effect of dwarfing the occupants in appearance. But for 

 racing purposes there is no object in adding to their stature, 

 and the advantages of the plan are obvious. For one thing, 

 the additional height prevents horses from seeing each other 

 and so becoming restless and kicking over the lower end, and 

 injuring themselves, which in ordinary stalls they may do. 

 Behind the stalls there is a space of nine feet ; ample room 

 for removing the dung every morning and for traversing the 

 stable with pleasure and safety. The length of the stall from 

 manger to lower stall-post is ten feet five inches. Thia 

 prevents the inmates kicking each other, which in shorter 

 stalls may very easily be done. The height from floor to 

 ceiling is ten feet. The partitions consist of a two inch 

 planking of beech or oak, joined in three places to prevent 

 the possibility of separation through kicking or other 

 violence. 



Over three sides of the square are spacious lofts for the 

 storage of hay,' corn, and straw in separate compartments. 

 The ends are partitioned off and ceiled, forming sleeping- 

 rooms for the boys ; the head lad having a room to himself, 

 or sleeping at home if married. In one angle are two saddle- 

 rooms ; the one for keeping the saddlery when clean, the 

 other for cleaning it. In an adjoining room the clothes are 

 dried, and a copper in a small room next to it supplies 

 hot water. 



The corn is conducted from the stores to the feeding bins 

 by means of a tube, before entering which it has to pass 



