90 THE HORSE 



expense corajDared to the advantage gained. 

 Some old-fashioned stables are provided with hay- 

 racks communicating with the loft above, and 

 open to objections as these racks are, they may 

 yet be desii-able in an otherwise ill-ventilated 

 stable, as they allow a current of comparatively 

 fresh air to reach each horse. 



Another plan of stabling, which perhaps is the 

 worst of all, is that in which the door and window 

 are at one end of the building and the stalls stretch 

 away from them. The horse nearest the window 

 may get some fresh air and light ; but those at 

 the farthest end of the building have to breathe 

 the atmosphere tainted by the breath of the horses 

 nearer the window, the mischief increasing with 

 each succeeding horse. 



Possibly one of the healthiest forms of stabling 

 for not too artificially kept horses is a shed en- 

 tirely open at one side. The roof should, of 

 course, jut out to cover a six feet passage behind 

 the horses' heels, both for convenience of the men 

 in attendance and to prevent driving rain from 

 reaching the horses. Horses kept in shedding 

 on these lines have done remarkably well, and 

 have been wonderfully free from the minor ail- 

 ments which so constantly incapacitate those in 



