66 STABLE ECONOMY. 



through the night. One will break loose, one will cast him- 

 self over the travis, one will get halter-cast, some fall to 

 kicking, and some are taken ill. In any of these cases much 

 mischief may be done before the groom appears in the morn- 

 ing. Among draught horses, it is not uncommon to find one 

 dead that was in perfect health, and ate his supper the night 

 before. He dies from a disease that, at the beginning, can 

 be cured with infallible certainty ; and he is in such torture 

 that he struggles, and makes noise enough to waken any one 

 sleeping in the stable. But nobody is there, and the poor 

 horse dies for want of help. 



In large studs, a man is usually appointed to watch the 

 stables all night, and to give the alarm should fire break out, 

 or should he hear any unusual stir in the stables. In some 

 cases he has instructions to enter the stables occasionally, 

 and see that all be right. This, of course, must be done 

 without disturbing the horses. This man often requires 

 watching himself : he may slumber at his post, or he may 

 desert it. The owner, or some other for him, should pay 

 him a secret visit now and then. The first breach of duty 

 should be his last. An excuse is never wanting, but it is 

 folly to admit any. 



In smaller studs, a sleeping-room for one or two of the 

 grooms is usually regarded as sufficient security against noc- 

 turnal danger. The place should be comfortable, that there 

 may be the less inducement to leave it. In coaching-stables 

 there is sometimes a dwelling-house for the head ostler and 

 his family. It should be in a central situation, within hear- 

 ing of all the stables ; and when that can not be managed, a 

 bed may be placed in the most remote for an additional man. 

 In racing establishments there is a settle-bed in each stable 

 for two of the boys ; and the groom's house is close ad- 

 joining. 



[Stables of Mr. Gibbons. — The most complete stables 

 which we have seen in the United States, or indeed any- 

 where else, when we take into consideration their cost, com- 

 fort, and convenience, are in Madison, New Jersey, at the 

 Forest — the beautiful estate of William Gibbons, Esq. ; plans 

 of which he has kindly permitted us to take, to embellish the 

 American edition of the Stable Economy. 



The building comprising the stables stands upon the edge 

 of a piece of broad table-land, gently declining to the south. 

 The foundation, and walls of the lower story, are of stone ; the 

 walls of the upper stories are of brick. The whole building 



