26 AMERICAN STABLE GUIDE. 



The MANGERS AND RACKS of stables in cities are now 

 in a majority of cases made of iron, with tliree divisions or 

 a cavity for hay-feed, mashes, soft feed or gruel. The 

 high hay-rack elevated above the horse's head is now 

 almost a fixture of the past, and to be seen only in the 

 stable of the farmer or other old-fashioned establishment. 

 The manger and rack are to meet certain objections to 

 the low or present position and form, and are made and 

 placed high enough from the floor to prevent the horse 

 from getting his fore feet into them, as would be the 

 case if placed low and without sufficient slope being 

 given toward the horse. This angle or slope inclining 

 towards the horse, in a great measure prevents him 

 from attempting to get into the manger. Nor is this all, for 

 the slope widens the manger and rack, at the same time 

 allowing ample stall-room for the horse to lie and stretch 

 himself at full length without the head getting under the 

 manger, a matter of the greatest importance in the preven- 

 tion of accident to the horse during his struggles to free 

 himself, an illustration of which can often be seen in the 

 old high manger and rack. Again, if the horse should get 

 Ms fore feet into the manger, being made of iron, it can 

 bear the weight of the fore part of the horse without 

 injury; but as the rack is usually placed in the corner of 

 the stall and not in the centre, it is very seldom that he 

 will make the attempt. There is a great economy of hay 

 in racks placed below the horse's head, compared with 

 those placed above, since the horse does not waste it by 



