238 STABLES. 



point (or ring) upon which force finally falls when the horse 

 hangs back in his stall and pulls on the tying line, should be 

 attached to some immovable object, such as the wall, and not 

 the manger or other receptacle, which in such a case might 

 get pulled down. 



The proper length of a single tying line may be taken as a 

 little less than the height of the animal, (say, 5 feet for a 

 horse 16 hands high), which length will enable him to hold up 

 'his head in a natural manner when standing with the tying 

 line more or less perpendicular, and the log just resting on 

 the ground. If a freely working pulley is placed at a dis- 

 tance a little more than half way up that height (say, 2 feet 

 9 inches off the ground for a 16 hands horse), and if the line 

 is of uniform weight and structure, practically no loop will be 

 formed in the tying line when the horse lowers his head. The 

 desirable prevention of the formation of a loop is here secured 

 by the weight of the log, when the log is off the ground ; and 

 by the weight of the front portion of the line acting more 

 perpendicularly and being somewhat heavier than the rear 

 portion, in all cases when the log is on the ground and when 

 the formation of a loop might be possible, if there was undue 

 friction between the pulley and the line. If the height of 

 the pulley be somewhat greater than has been stated, the 

 only inconvenience which the horse will suffer, will be the 

 slight one of having to bear, by means of his headstall, the 

 weight of the log more frequently than he would otherwise 

 have to do, when he moves to one side, hangs back, or puts 

 his head on the ground. 



The weight of the log should be sufficient to enable it to 

 readily act in all positions off the ground. Consequently, it 

 should be heavier than the tying line. This difference will 

 naturally have to be greater with a ring and coarse rope, than 

 with a friction roller plate and smooth leather strap. If the 

 weight of the log does not greatly exceed that which is 



