12 The Practical Stud Groom. 



the stud farm is situated in the heart of a hunting district, 

 where the meets of foxhounds and harriers would necessitate 

 the horses being closely confined to their stables at least twice 

 a week, often on consecutive days, the straw yard again 

 solves the difficulty. 



During spells of bad weather in the short winter days, 

 it will, at large studs, be found very difficult to get every 

 animal out for a sufficient length of time in one sand ring, 

 without giving way to the temptation to turn out too large a 

 batch at a time. This shortage of straw yard accommoda- 

 tion can be very easily and cheaply overcome if kept in view 

 by the architect when planning the brood mare boxes. The 

 plan on page 4 shows the method to be adopted. The 

 blocks of six boxes are erected in parallel lines. Two blocks 

 of six boxes, each box 16ft. square, will form the sides of a 

 yard 96ft. in length, a close-boarded fence 7ft. high connects 

 the ends of the blocks, giving a yard 96ft. by 48ft., which ia 

 amply big enough for six mares to take exercise at one time. 

 With a stud of 24 mares, under this arrangement, half the 

 number can be at liberty at once, six in each yard. Double 

 doors of 5ft. each are placed at either end of each yard to 

 permit of the carting in or out of clean or soiled straw. 

 Mares with foals can be let out singly for a fifteen-minute 

 frolic, while their box is cleaned out. When a stud is thus 

 equipped, frost-bound ground or a cold east wind have no 

 terrors for the stud groom. It is most important to make 

 sure that proper attention is given to drainage when the 

 yard is under construction, and that each day after use the 

 dung skip is sent round to collect all droppings. This last 

 will entail only a few minutes' work daily, and will ensure 

 a healthy playground for the stock. 



The Corn Stores should be built in two storeys. On the 

 upper floor the oats should be spread out in bulk, and kept 



