92 THE HORSE 



the importance of ventilation has been more fully 

 realized, the wooden partition has been modified 

 to a height not exceeding four feet, and the two 

 feet above are composed of iron bars, which allow 

 of a free circulation of air passing right through 

 the stable on a level with the horses' heads. This 

 arrangement is excellent in theory, and no doubt 

 practically satisfactory in stalls ; but we have 

 known a spirited horse in a loose box, divided from 

 the next by partition and bars, to get its fore legs 

 above the bars in its endeavors to reach the next 

 horse, and to prevent a repetition of this dangerous 

 proceeding the bars had to be covered over with 

 wood to obstruct the view. AVe should certainly rec- 

 ommend the barred tops for stalls, but not for the 

 di^^isions between loose boxes, and it is unnecessary 

 in the latter, where the horse can turn round in 

 any direction it pleases. Even in stalls the bars 

 immediately over the mangers are better covered 

 with wood, as a bad-tempered, jealous horse will 

 often cause terror to his neighbors at feeding 

 time, and will frighten them into leaving or 

 ''gobbhng " their food if within view. 



The usual width recommended for stalls for full- 

 sized horses is six feet and the length ten feet, 

 but in most stables thev fall far short of this; 



