138 AMERICAN STABLE GUIDE. 



length does not fit it for a good litter for horses, as but one- 

 half of its length is soiled, and the clean portion has also 

 to be thrown to the dung-pit, making a costly manure. Its 

 price almost forbids its use for such purposes. 



Saw-dust makes a good bed for horses, and is in use in 

 many stables, and appears to give satisfaction. 



Bar-sand makes a very good bed for horses, and is in 

 use in some parts of the world. 



Forest Leaves are an excellent bed, when free from 

 wood and pieces of tree branches. 



Oat-straw is perhaps, considering all things, the best 

 of beds, and is used in nearly all countries, but in our own 

 it is almost unknown. 



Salt Marsh and Meadow or Natural Grass makes 

 a very good solid bed; but is so much sought after for 

 packing material that little is used in the stable. 



Tan Bark is in use in some parts of the country, but 

 on account of its stringency, is injurious to the horses' feet. 



Stable vices among well-trained horses are not many, 

 nqr are they under all circumstances very aggravating; 

 some horses with a stranger or new groom, in the strife for 

 the mastery, will for a time evince a determination to do 

 mischief; but with the old, or on a better acquaintance 

 with the new man, will settle down to good behavior. 

 This peculiarity of horses, with destructive impulse, is con- 

 fined to biting, kicking, &c. ; but tearing the cloths ofi" the 

 back, &c., cannot be classed as above. 



Kicking in the stable at night is difficult to remedy, 



