STABLES 9 



boxes than in stalls. Some animals, however, when kept 

 apart from their fellows, pine from want of companion- 

 ship; and others, if allowed to be loose, incessantly 

 wander about their box, and, consequently, unduly fatigue 

 themselves. Perhaps, in the majority of cases in England, 

 mares do best in stalls, and horses in boxes. In India, 

 however, it is not always practicable to keep animals out- 

 of-doors as long as would be desirable, with regard to 

 their health, were the climate less "trying;" hence the 

 greater need for boxes in our Eastern Empire than in more 

 temperate climates. 



The blood-vessels in the foot of the horse, unlike those 

 in other parts, do not possess valves, because the almost 

 constant movement — except when the animal is lying 

 down or sleeps standing — that he, in a natural state, 

 takes in the search for food, prevents stagnation of blood 

 by gravitation. When the foot is raised, blood rushes 

 into and fills these vessels, which at the next moment 

 are emptied, by the effect of pressure., the instant the foot 

 is brought to the ground and weight is thrown on it. 



I thoroughly agree with Admiral Eous's remark, that 

 "The windows of a stable ought never to be shut by 

 night or day ; in cold weather, add to the clothing, but 

 never deprive them of the first great source of vitality, 

 'fresh air.'" 



In India, during the cold weather, the air is generally 

 so dry that precautions to be taken against draughts are 

 not nearly so necessary as in England. Eespecting the 

 latter country, Professor Williams writes, "Horses kept 

 in ill- ventilated stables are undoubtedly rendered sus- 

 ceptible to many diseases, and to pneumonia among the 



