346 THE HORSE 



outside of the stable but opening into the straw -mow 

 above and into the stable below. The -door, shown by 

 dotted line, is hung by means of weights, moves per- 

 pendicularly, and is closed when the bedding is being 

 thrown into the chute and opened when the bedding is 

 being removed to the several stalls. The chute may 

 also be used as a ventilator. 



PADDOCKS 



A few paddocks, or better, small fields, should be 

 provided near the barn for the dams and foals and 

 other horses on occasion. They should be provided in 

 any case if live stock is being raised. The enclosure 

 should be large enough to allow of some pasturage. 

 Paddocks are usually so small that the grass is 

 destroyed by the tramping of the animals. Not only 

 will such small fields serve to separate the dam and 

 foal from other livestock, but they may be made the 

 means of advertising the fact that good animals are 

 being reared, provided they are suitably located. They 

 should, where possible, be in sight of the front veranda 

 and abut on the public highway, that the passer-by 

 may linger to see and be persuaded to purchase. Such 

 fields and the colts are to the breeder what plate -glass 

 windows and their display are to the merchant. The 

 merchant never puts his finest goods in the back end 

 of the store, or where they cannot be seen readily. 

 Increase the productivity of the large fields, and then 

 these small fields will not be missed when laid down in 

 permanent pastures and used for displaying the best 

 animals. 



