24 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



necessary to bear in mind that it is an absolute 

 impossibility to keep horses in health if they are 

 overcrowded. By giving them plenty of space, 

 and maintaining a proper system of ventilation — due 

 regard being paid to their own cleanliness, and that 

 of their surroundings, good food, good water, good 

 drainage, and plenty of work — everything, barring 

 accidents, will be almost sure to &o well : but no 

 amount of care and trouble will answer the purpose 

 if they are overcrowded. Sooner or later the evil 

 will become apparent. The man who is the 

 possessor of one horse only generally contrives to 

 get more work out of that one than his neighbour 

 who may have three or four. Very much, it is 

 true, because that one is better cared for, perhaps, 

 and gets plenty of work, and also because the 

 chances are that, his stable being probably built to 

 accommodate two, there is no overcrowding, and 

 consequently there is more breathing-space. 



As regards the water supply of stables, it must 

 be good and sufficient. A tap, both inside as well 

 as outside, is a great convenience, and where the 

 one is possible the other is equally so, and costs 

 but little more. Where, however, the water has 

 to be obtained by means of a pump, then a water- 

 trough, or a receptacle to hold the water which 

 is pumped up, should be at hand, inasmuch as 



