STABLES. 



93 



paved with large flat flagstones, much after the fashion of the 

 London foot pavement. There are no drains of any sort in the 

 stables, and, as a consequence, none of those noxious exhala- 

 tions which are practically inseparable from the best system of 

 drainage. A plentiful supply of clean straw is of course spread 

 in every box, and replaced as necessity demands ; but it has 

 been found that no more straw is used now than was used 

 formerly when the stables were drained. The freedom which 

 boxes permit seems to have a very beneficial effect on their 

 occupants. Boxes cannot of course be always provided ; but 

 stalls should be as nearly as possible on the same principles. 



By the side of the manger in every box is a slate receptacle 

 for water, which is kept always supplied. If the horse can take 

 water whenever he wants it he will drink very much less than 

 when it is brought round to him in a bucket at stated times ; 

 the difference in quantity is, indeed, surprising. To come to 

 figures, a horse will drink about eight gallons daily if watered 

 twice a day, and about five gallons if water is always in the box 

 at his disposal. The receptacles are water-tight, having no outlet 

 or plug of any description ; consequently there is no drip to 

 make the box damp. They are cleaned every day, a sponge 

 being used to soak up any water which remains when the groom 

 attends to his charge. The manger and rack are made of well- 

 seasoned oak, and along the top of the piece of wood which 

 forms the front of the manger an iron bar standing up about 

 an inch from the wood is fastened. The object of this is to 

 prevent crib-biting, a bad trick the frequency of which is a 

 source of astonishment to the horse owner. The animal doubt- 

 less takes to crib-biting for want of occupation, it grows into a 

 confirmed habit and often ends in ruining his wind, which 

 crib-biting always has a tendency to affect. This iron bar to a 

 certain extent prevents the trick, but it cannot be said that even 

 this is wholly effectual, nor can any method of curing the horse 

 be discovered. He is very much less likely to learn the trick, 

 however, if this precaution be taken. Manger and rack are 

 placed at such a height that the horse can stand in a natural 



