STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



CHAPTER I. 

 FIRST PRINCIPLES. 



State of Nature Gregariousness Composition of the Animal Body Compo- 

 sition of Plants Consumed by Horses Circulation of Blood and Respiration 

 Bodily Supply and Removal Reciprocal Action of the Organs of Excretion 

 Energy in Plants and Animals The Animal Body as a Machine Duties of 

 the Skin Causes which affect Epidermal Growth Maintenance and Regula- 

 tion of Bodily Temperature Reaction and Chill Absorption of Fluids by 

 Solids Absorption of Gases by Solids Radiation of Heat Protection 

 against Heat by Colour Conduction of Heat Protection by the Coat against 

 Cold and Chill Ability of Horses to bear Extremes of Temperature In- 

 fluence of Damp on Horses in the Open Influence of Sunlight on Horses 

 Influence of Altitude on Horses Acclimatisation Stable Impurities Soap. 



THE explanation in this Chapter of some of the principles 

 which should guide us in the stable management of horses, 

 will, I trust, save much repetition when discussing later on, 

 the " why and the wherefore " of various practical details. 



STATE OF NATURE. 



The theory of evolution teaches us that the special organisa- 

 tion of an animal has been produced by the gradual action 

 which surroundings (climate, soil, food, etc.) have had on the 

 animal's ancestors through the course of ages. As health 

 is the ordinary condition of the body, we may conclude that 

 it can be best preserved by the surroundings which have 

 effected the final result, and in which the animal is popularly 

 said to be in his " natural state " of life. We find this to be 



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