332 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



them gradually slope from the stall to the outside is 

 very prejudicial to the horse, and too frequently the 

 cause of lameness by straining the back sinews. Mr 

 Lawrence justly remarks, that " If the reader will 

 stand for a few minutes with his toes higher than his 

 heels, the pain he will feel in the calves of his legs will 

 soon convince him of the truth of this remark. Hence, 

 when a horse is not eating, he always endeavours to 

 find his level, either by standing across the stall, or 

 else as far back as his halter will permit, so that his 

 hind legs may meet the ascent of the other side of the 

 channel." 



This sloping direction of the floor of the stall is 

 also a frequent cause of contraction of the heels, by 

 throwing too great a proportion of the weight upon 

 the toes of the foot, and removing that pressure which 

 tends most to keep the heels open. It must there- 

 fore be evident that the floor should slant no more 

 than is absolutely necessary to drain off the urine 

 sufficiently quick to prevent chemical action taking 

 place. This is the kind of stall most suitable for 

 mares, but for horses it should be constructed with a 

 grating in the centre, and an inclination of the floor 

 on every side towards the middle. This should be 

 carried off to the outside by means of a small drain 

 and lodged in a reservoir, as urine is a valuable ac- 

 quisition to the farmer. To prevent an offensive smell 

 or current of air passing through the drains, cheap 

 traps have been invented to stop the grating. I have 

 lately seen stables constructed with the patent wooden 

 pavement, which answers many good purposes ; it is 

 much warmer for the feet, and at the same time softer, 

 and entirely free from noise. 



Some persons imagine that the horse should not 

 stand on litter during the day, because the heat which 



