STABLES— SITUATION AND ASPECT. 155 



dneovers that what is to be done must be done by him unassisted, 

 and he is then very apt to give himself airs, if his temper is at all 

 inclined to be bad. Kicking may be kept under by the kicking- 

 strap; running away may be restrained by the bit; but jibbing in 

 single harness is very difficult to get over. If necessary, an out- ^ 

 rigger may be applied to the break, and a second horse put on; 

 but it is better to exercise the patience by quietly sitting still, 

 when, after a short time, the jibber generally moves on of his own 

 accord. Beyond these expedients, nothing more is required than 

 time and practice. 



CHAPTER X. 



STABLES. 



Situation and Aspect — Foundations — Stalls versus Loose Boxes — 

 Hay Chamber and Granary — Doors and Windows — Drainage 

 and Water Supply — Ventilation and Lighting — Stable Fittings — 

 Harness Room — Coach-House — Servants' Rooms — Ground 

 Plans of Stables — Necessity for Airing New Stables. 



SITUATION AND ASPECT. 



The two most important points to be regarded in the choice 

 of a situation, are, first, the power of excluding damp; and, sec- 

 ondly, the best means of keeping up a tolerably even temperature 

 in winter and summer. It is seldom that the stables are fixed 

 without regard to the convenience of the inmates of the house 

 itself, the comer most out of sight being the one usually selected 

 as good enough for them. It should not, however, be forgotten, 

 that the horse is a native of a dry country, and cannot be kept in 

 health in a damp situation either in-doors or out. Nothing, ex- 

 cept starvation, tells injuriously so soon upon the horse as damp 

 when exposed to it — he loses all life and spirit; work soon tires 

 him ; his coat stares ; he will scarcely look at his food, and he be- 

 comes rapidly emaciated, severe disease, often in the shape of some 

 prevailing epidemic, showing itself after a short time, and gene- 

 rally soon ending in death. Grease and cracked heels, swelled 

 legs, hide bound, inflamed eyes, and coughs and colds, are the 

 evils which attend damp, when exhibited only in a slight degree ; 

 but these are sufficient to interfere with the use of the horse, and, 

 irrespective of other reasons, as domestic comfort is greatly de- 

 pendent on the carriage being always at command, the stables 

 should not be sacrificed, as they too often are, to a fancy for keep- 

 ing them out of sight. 



