58 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



should open outwards, if possible, and have an appliance for 

 fastening them against the wall when necessary ; or they may 

 be made to slide to the side, which is, perhaps, the best 

 arrangement. 



The same remarks apply to loose box doors. 



They should not allow draughts of air to fall upon the legs. 



GENERAL FITTINGS. 



Locks, bolts, handles of doors, hooks and pegs, etc., should 

 be strong, and so made and placed as not to be likely to cause 

 accidents to the horses. Harness should, if possible, be kept 

 in a harness-room, and such implements as forks, shovels, etc., 

 ought not to be left in the stable. 



DETACHED LOOSE BOXES. 



Though loose boxes inside stables may be advantageously 

 adopted for healthy horses ; yet for those which are sick, or 

 convalescent, they are not so well adapted, as the animals do 

 not receive such pure air r nor can they be kept so quiet. The 

 best boxes for this purpose are those which are detached, and 

 have a favourable aspect southerly or south-westerly. They 

 need not measure more than twelve or fourteen feet square, 

 and about the same in height. The floors may be the same as 

 those of stables, and likewise the doors. It is usual to have 

 the latter in two portions, divided across, the lower half being 

 about three and a half feet in height, both portions opening 

 outwards. To prevent accidents by the horse jumping over 

 the lower half while the upper is fastened back, a movable bar, 

 placed at least eighteen inches above the lower part, should 

 be used when it is desired to allow the animal fresh air and 

 sunlight. 



