84 THE POCKET AND THE STUD. 



be perfectly flat from the manger, till it comes 

 within a foot of the grating : it should then have 

 a fall to it of half-an-inch. By this the fore-feet 

 of the horse stand on quite level ground. It 

 should slope in the same degree a foot each side 

 of the grate, and also from a foot behind it. This 

 is sure to make the wet made by the horse run into 

 the drain beneath ; and his hind as well as fore 

 legs stand level. These declivities on a well-paved 

 stall are quite enough ; and when the horse lies 

 down, the bed prevents his feeling them. I must 

 remark here, mares should always stand at the 

 end of the stable ; that is, the lowest end, as the 

 gutter should be made with a slight fall. 



In pursuance of my fixed principle, that what 

 is best for any purpose is, in the long-run, the 

 cheapest, in building a stable I certainly would 

 make my standings of oak ; that is, the boards of 

 which they are made should be of that timber. 

 They do not require to be made of the best sort ; 

 so the expense is not a great increase on those 

 of deal. The posts and top-rails, being of con- 

 siderable substance, will have strength enough if 

 made of any wood ; but if the boards are of deal, 

 one kick in right earnest splits them. Where 

 there is deal and within reach of the horses' mouths, 

 iron hooping should always be fixed upon it. 

 Gnawing soft wood is a favourite amusement with 

 idle horses ; and anything that induces or allows 



