142 MODERN FARRIER. 



The generality of stables are by much too close 

 and warm ; not a chink is left for the free admission 

 of air ; the door, and windows (if there are any), are 

 made so close, as perfectly to exclude the air ; or, if 

 this is not the case, the crevices are frequently stop- 

 ped with hay, under the idea that the horses cannot 

 be kept too warm. This is a most absurd and mis- 

 taken notion ; and is contradicted both by reason 

 and daily experience. When we consider that 

 horses in a state of nature, or even in their usual 

 pastures, are perpetually exposed to the open air, 

 and that, under these circumstances, they are more 

 vigorous and active than under the most attentive 

 care of their masters, we must be convinced of the 

 impropriety of keeping them for hours together in 

 the foul and heated atmosphere of the ordinary close 

 stables. Whoever enters one of these stables when 

 the door is first opened in the morning, after it has 

 been closely shut up all night, will be able to judge 

 from his own sensations, whether SHch an atmo- 

 sphere can be wholesome to the animals that breathe 

 it. Besides the great heat of the stable, which if 

 many horses have been shut up in it all night is 

 nearly intolerable, the air will be found highly im- 

 pure, from the continual respiration of so many 

 animals, and the steams arising from the exhalations 

 of their bodies, which have probably sweated pro- 

 fusely from having been so long confined in an 

 atmosphere so foul and heated. Add to this the 

 impregnation of the air by the effluvia arising from 

 the litter, ke. ; and it is not easy to conceive a more 

 unhealthy situation for an animal, who, to perform 

 the offices required of him with activity and vigour, 

 should be in the full possession of all his strength. 



In order to preserve the health of horses, it is ab- 

 solutely necessary that the stable be properly venti- 

 lated. This may be easily effected by letting down 

 the upper sash of the windows a little, and by car- 



