6 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA 



provision for the drainage of urine being required. This 

 form of construction is in accordance with the practice fol- 

 lowed in all the best racing stables at Newmarket, where 

 it has been found unnecessary to drain the stalls and 

 boxes by giving a slope to their floors. The ground around 

 stables, however, should be thoroughly well drained. 



A good form of stables is a single row of boxes, having 

 a verandah about 12 ft. wide, on the outer line of which 

 the roof is supported by a row of pillars, which are the 

 same distance apart, one from another, as are the partition 

 walls of the stalls. The verandah should be protected by 

 bamboo frames covered with thatch (Hind, jliamp), so 

 that in the hot weather the direct rays of the sun may 

 not play on the interior of the building, and in the cold 

 months the horses may be protected from draughts. 



Loose boxes, to be thoroughly comfortable, should be at 

 least 12 ft. by 16 ft. In India, 10 ft. by 12 ft. would be 

 a minimum. The walls between the boxes should be 

 made about 7 ft. high, so as to be just sufficient to prevent 

 the animals smelling each other over them. Stalls for 

 large horses should be 6 ft. by 12 ft. Ponies may be 

 contented with one of 5 ft. by 10 ft. At Newmarket, 

 stalls are generally made 6 J ft. wide. If narrow stalls 

 are used, the syce, when removing a horse, should back 

 him out, instead of turning him round, so as to prevent 

 him from straining his back or loins. 



If not more than five or six horses are kept in one 

 stable, they will be able to get better rest, than if more 

 animals were present. 



The roof of the stable should afford perfect protection 

 from the direct rays of the sun ; for which object thatch 



