THE STABLE 73 



account that there are at least fifty human subjects for 

 every horse ; and unquestionably, a horse of forty-five is 

 less rare than a man of a hundred and ten." 



CHAPTER V 



THE STABLE 



As stabling the horse is primarily a deviation from nature, 

 it follows, as an inevitable sequence, that it often paves the 

 way to disorders unknown, or varying in character from 

 those of the animal in its aboriginal state. This tendency 

 can best be obviated by judgment, care, and sedulous 

 attention. 



Space is an important element in stable arrangements. 

 "Single-headed" stables, that is, those that have but one row 

 of stalls, should never be less than twelve feet wide ; while 

 "double-headed" ones should be twenty-four feet, with six 

 feet six to seven feet each stall, by six feet wide. " Stable 

 architects," says Mr. Stewart, in his clever work called 

 " Stable Economy," " have not much to boast of. Their sole 

 ideas are limited to shelter and confinement. If the weather 

 be kept out, and the horse be kept in, their objects are 

 attained. If light and air be demanded, the doorway will 

 admit them. If the horse has room to stand, it matters 

 little though he have none to lie ; and if you can get him 

 into the stable, what consideration is it though his loins 

 be strained, or his haunch bruised, in getting out of it ? " 

 Narrow stalls are highly prejudicial to horses ; back-sprains 

 are often produced by them in the attempt to turn the horse 

 in his stall. Whenever this is less than six feet wide, caution 

 the groom always to back the animal out of it. Swinging 

 bars or bails are highly objectionable, from the temptation 

 to horses to play with each other, and to kick under or over 

 them, according to height. They are also objectionable, 

 inasmuch as horses vary as much as human beings in 

 quickness of eating, and the tardy masticator gets robbed of 

 his food by the rapid swallower. 



Heat and cold should be graduated by the thermometer; 

 the feeling of a groom or owner is a very fallacious guide. 

 In summer 65° to 68° as a maximum, if possible, and in 



