BOXES rOE HOIiSES. 209 



them when out of training, and are made thus with 

 a view of affording them the means of taking a 

 certain degree of exercise by walking, trotting, or, 

 as they sometimes will do, actually cantering round 

 them ; for the frolics of a racehorse when idle are 

 extraordinary. Boxes made for hunters or other 

 horses, are, I should say, sufficiently large if made 

 (say) seventeen feet by eight or nine. This size, if 

 properly ventilated, affords all the air and comfort a 

 healthy horse requires. 



A box is a great source of comfort to a horse after 

 a day's hunting ; he can lie in any position that he 

 may find gives the greatest ease to his wearied limbs; 

 and if put in one the night before hunting, it ensures 

 him repose undisturbed by other horses or persons. 

 This opportunity of stretching out his limbs is not 

 required in a general way by horses ; for though, 

 after a day's hard hunting, a horse may, at times, be 

 found lying on his side, with his legs stretched out 

 at full length, he must be very tired, or very ill, to 

 have recourse {p?'o tempore) to such position ; for 

 the rotundity of a horse's ribs are such as to render 



P 



