STABLES 5 



When the horses were out at work, the planks could be 

 readily removed, and the shallow drain washed out. To 

 prevent the absorption of moisture by the wood, it could 

 be tarred over or soaked with asphalte. The special 

 advantage of wood for the flooring of a stable is that it is 

 a bad conductor of heat, and would consequently act as a 

 preventive of chill and cold. Wood is often employed as 

 a flooring of stables in the Straits Settlement and Far 

 East. 



In many parts of India kunhur may be obtained, and 

 can be applied in the same manner as it is used for metal- 

 ling roads. In default of it, pounded bricks, which are 

 employed for the same purpose, may be substituted. After 

 these floors are laid down, the stables should not be used 

 until they are thoroughly dry, and the concrete has 

 become hard and solid. Horses stabled in stalls laid 

 down with concrete are, during the prevalence of Loodi- 

 anah fever and influenza, much less liable to be attacked 

 by these diseases than they would be if the floors of their 

 stalls were capable of retaining moisture. 



If it be not practicable to have the floors made of water- 

 proof material, they may be kept covered with 5 or 6 

 inches of sand, the tainted parts of which should be daily 

 removed, and replaced by a fresh supply. 



Damp stables are the sources of many serious ailments 

 to the horse, who can keep health and condition only in a 

 dry habitation. This most important fact should never 

 be lost sight of by the horse-owner. 



The floor of the stable should be made level, so that the 

 horse may have an even " bearing " for his feet. The 

 syce should keep the stall dry and clean, without any 



