STABLE MANAGEMENT 269 



liquid to the outside through a hole in the wall, and then 

 arrangements must be made for its removal, either by drains, 

 or some other plan, such as an iron pot which can be daily- 

 emptied. 



Underground drains should only be employed when there 

 is ample water-supply to keep them constantly flushed, and 

 then they have many advantages. In the first place the 

 floor can be flatter, since the necessary fall is underneath, 

 and therefore a horse can stand more comfortably, as he is 

 not always on an inclined plane. A horse fastened up in a 

 stall with a sharp slope will always be seen to stand across 

 it, if allowed to do so, to ease the strain on his legs as far as 

 possible. The whole length of the drain in the stable should 

 be easily accessible and capable of being cleansed every day. 

 There should be as few angles as possible, for these arrest 

 any solid matter which may get into the drain; and where- 

 ever one is absolutely necessary it should be as obtuse as the 

 ground permits. There must also be some simple trap at 

 the inflow in each separate stall. A good system of under- 

 ground drainage effects a considerable saving in straw. 



Accommodation must be found for housing the fodder, 

 such as hay, straw, corn, carrots, and bran ; and also a com- 

 modious saddle-room for cleaning and storing saddles, bridles, 

 clothing, and all the minor paraphernalia connected with a 

 stable. A glass case should not be forgotten, in which spare 

 bits and stirrups can be stowed away and kept free from 

 dust. There must, too, be provision for an ample supply of 

 both hot and cold water, the former of which should be 

 independent of the domestic arrangements, and is best pro- 

 vided by a boiler fitted to the saddle-room fire. 



Artificial Light. 



Where no gas or electric light is available, and lamps have 

 to be employed instead, they should be hung upon strong 

 nails fixed in convenient positions, out of possible reach of 

 the horses ; while gas and electric burners should never be 

 placed where a horse can gain access to them if it should 

 happen to get loose from its box. A gas bracket with a 



