The Stable Handbook 



to put it. This space is wanting in most stables. 

 Nevertheless, it is well worth the expense of pro- 

 viding the necessary space, not only because you 

 are able to buy in the cheapest instead of the 

 dearest market, but because in the case of hunters 

 you can thus be sure to obtain the old oats which 

 only are of use to condition them for hard work. 

 Nevertheless, you will find that suitable space for 

 the storage of any quantity will often be absent, 

 and you will have to make it for yourself. But 

 these matters will be better discussed in the 

 chapter on forage, and to that I will leave them. 



To recapitulate then, the first thing in a stable 

 is to have sound dry flooring without drains so 

 that no liquids shall stand and stagnate. The 

 scent of ammonia is a sure sign that things are not 

 right. 



This flooring should be either of concrete or 

 bricks, with a single channel laid in cement, so that 

 nothing can penetrate through the joints. If of 

 concrete the surface must be scored so as to give 

 foothold. 



Horses should live as nearly in the open air as 

 possible, but not in a direct draught. Doors and 

 windows should open freely and easily, and there 

 should be ventilating bricks under the eaves to 

 carry off the foul air from the top. In a long 

 building, even when composed of separate boxes, 

 there should be a free course for the air the whole 

 length of the building, which can of course easily 

 lo 



