76 STABLE BUILDING AND STABLE FITTING. 



for the length of about 3 feet. They are made of elm or oak, 

 and should not be less than 2 inches thick. Their position 

 and dimensions are illustrated by Fig. 45, the upper bale being 

 regulated to the height of i foot ij inches from the level of the 

 paving. 



Fig. 45. 



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B/JLES. 



Safety hooks. 



Although the use of bales brings the horses in nearer rela- 

 tion to each other — and with this view they are frequently 

 alternated with partitions, so that the two horses running 

 together at day are only divided at night by a bale — their use 

 can only be excused on the ground of want of space, or 

 economy. On the other hand, being constantly knocked 

 about, they are soon worn out and destroyed ; they are also 

 (unless provided with proper safety hooks) dangerous to the 

 horses ; as -they are in the habit of getting their legs over them 

 when kicking, and in the absence of a provision of this kind 

 it is better to use a rope which can be severed in emergency) 

 than a chain. Fig. 46 is a diagram of a hook used for this 

 purpose. By striking the ring a in an upward direction, 

 the hook which is hinged at b is disengaged, and the bales 

 fall of their own weight to the ground, and release the 

 horse, but considerable injury may be incurred before the 



