246 STABLES. 



for the damp and ammonia that are given off to a greater 

 or less extent in a stable, would be apt to injuriously affect 

 them (pp. 47 and 48). Besides, a place is required in which 

 to clean and dry the gear, as well as to stow it. As the 

 room should be dry and clean, it is best to have the flooring 

 of cement, and the walls and ceiling lined with match-boarding. 

 If there are many saddles, they are most conveniently kept 

 on brackets that are hung on the walls and have below them 

 semi-circular holders of wood or metal, over which the head 

 pieces of the bridles can be put. A bridle can in this manner 

 remain suspended without the centre of the head-piece 

 acquiring as would probably happen, if it were hung from 

 a hook a wrinkle which would be unsightly, and would tend 

 in time to develop into a crack. Harness can also be hung 

 up on brackets, or put in glass cases. If the number of 

 saddles does not exceed, say, six, they may be kept on saddle 

 stands, which have the disadvantage of taking up a good deal 

 of room. In any case a saddle stand is wanted for cleaning 

 saddles, arranging girths and stirrup leathers, &c. Spare bits 

 can be kept in a bit case placed, like the harness cases, against 

 one of the walls. A cheaper, and, as I have heard, a much 

 better plan, as far as the prevention of rust is concerned, 

 is to put spare bits in a vessel containing paraffin (kerosene) 

 oil. A few cupboards will probably be required, one of 

 which, in a large stable, may be devoted to medicines and 

 a few simple veterinary appliances. 



The saddle room should have a good fireplace, which can 

 be used for drying gear, supposing there is no drying 

 room, and, if there is no cleaning and brush room, a boiler 

 for supplying hot water. If it is used as a mess room for 

 the lads, a range of appropriate size will be a great 

 convenience to them. I prefer a good oil lamp, hung from 

 the centre of the ceiling, to gas, which, when lighted, gives 

 off sulphurous fumes that tarnish metals, especially silver 



