22 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



when he is thirsty. The most important thing in the 

 stable is ventilation, and the correct place for a ventilator 

 is above the horse's head — not behind him, as a great 

 many architects think correct. I have seen some stables 

 without any ventilation at all. The ignorance of some 

 grooms is surprising, and when you draw their attention 

 to it they will say : " We like to see the horses' coats 

 shine like silk, and you must have a warm stable and 

 plenty of rugs to kesp their coats down." But natural 

 ventilation is the best for the horse's coat, and imparts 

 health. They forget the danger incurred when the 

 horses leave the close, unhealthy stable on a cold, wet 

 day probably to stand about and take cold. The groom 

 then wonders why the horses are coughing, and the 

 following morning he will be seen giving cough-balls 

 and elixirs. The stable should be reasonably warm, free 

 from draughts, roomy and clean. If these simple 

 details were adhered to, then the horse would be com- 

 fortable and far less trouble to his master. 



Having given a brief outline of how a stable should 

 be designed, I will proceed to the management of the 

 horse in the stable. By kindness alone can we make 

 a horse love, fear and obey. No horse was ever born 

 vicious, and he only becomes so through bad 

 management and teasing. Horses, of course, differ in 



