344 THE HORSE 



lay other planks in like manner. Finally pour some of 

 the material into the cracks, if there should be any. 1 



Should the floor become worn in time and need 

 repairing, even up the surface by spreading thin cement 

 mortar upon it, and upon this lay a second plank floor. 

 The cement mortar will assist in making the floor water- 

 tight and in preventing dry rot. Barn floors which 

 have become worn from driving over them may be 

 treated in like manner. 



When the second floor is laid on the first (when it 

 becomes worn), a portion of the stall may be provided 

 with a removable grating, which will measurably pre- 

 vent the horse from becoming soiled. This is objection- 

 able in some respects, because the horse must be 

 removed and the grating lifted if the stable is made 

 clean. After having tried several methods, and ob- 

 served many, for caring for and removing the liquid 

 voidings, I know of none better than to absorb 

 them by use of chaff or straw bedding of various kinds 

 placed just ahead of the cleat shown in Fig. 89. The 

 planks of the floor of the stall should be laid at right 

 angles to those of the rear walk- way and two inches 

 higher, their rear ends lapping upon the plank walk 

 two to four inches. The planks upon which the animals 

 stand are not infrequently laid with a fall from front 

 to rear of two to three inches. Such a floor is cruel to 

 the horse and does not promote cleanliness. One inch 

 fall in six feet is sufficient. Horses when worked hard, 

 if left free in the field, seek to place the heels of their 

 feet, especially their front ones, higher than their toes 



1 A floor laid as described, eighteen years ago, is still in good repair. 



