STABLES AND STABLE MANAGEMENT 45 



being laid down which will not absorb the moisture. 

 Hard bricks and cement are both advocated for this 

 purpose, but, if the latter is adopted, measures should 

 be taken to ensure it being chipped and roughened 

 so as not to form a slippery substance for the horses 

 to walk over. 



A dark stable is not at all a proper place in which 

 to confine a horse, albeit that an ancient superstition 

 still exists to the effect that it is more desirable to 

 keep a horse in the dark than in the light. There is 

 a medium in all things, naturally, and a glaring stable 

 would no doubt prove unbearable to its occupants, 

 but it is none the less barbarous to keep an animal 

 in a pronounced state of semi-darkness. In the first 

 place it is impossible to ascertain whether his stall 

 or box is properly cleaned out, or that the animal 

 is thoroughly groomed in the dim recesses of such a 

 stable ; and, secondly, the horse, being a sociable, 

 not to say inquisitive, animal, enjoys seeing what 

 is going on about him. Again, a horse that is 

 suddenly brought from the gloom of a dimly lighted 

 stable into the open air is naturally liable to be 

 timid and nervous, with the result that, being ill 

 at ease, he is unable to do himself full justice. 

 Another very common form of cruelty practised 

 through entire thoughtlessness is the practice of 

 sloping the stalls from the head of the horse in the 

 direction of his heels, the object being to permit the 

 water to run off, but a moment's reflection would 

 convince any one who cared to think that it is im- 

 possible for any animal to rest himself properly if 

 his fore feet are raised some inches higher than his 

 hind ones, as he would exist in a chronic state of 

 standing uphill. 



It is always desirable that the manger should be 

 made of either iron or fire-clay, as both these 

 substances are easier and more effectually cleaned 

 out than wooden ones. The hay-rack, too, should 



