28 DAMP AND WAEM STABLES. 



the inmates. Horses kept in damp stables are more prone to 

 Opthalmia, Grease, Pnemnonia, Chronic Cough, Broken Wind, 

 Eheumatism, and states of general debility, which of course 

 predispose horses to every form of disease. Dampness may 

 arise from a variety of causes. Krstly, if the stable is closely 

 surrounded with trees, dampness of the interior vrill be inevi- 

 table. Secondly, dampness may arise from imperfect ventilation. 

 Thirdly, from bad drainage. Fourthy, from the want of suffi- 

 cient light. Fifthly, from having one or more sides of the stable 

 buHt against ground which slopes towards the wall. And lastly, 

 from aU these causes acting in association. To remedy damp- 

 ness in the stable, the proprietor should closely examine into 

 its causes, and remove them, so far as practicable, at once. 



Warmth of stable is indispensable to high bred horses, and 

 horses of great value. "Warmth without good ventilation is 

 injurious. Warmth, vrith good ventUation, are associates to be 

 desired. The temperature at which a stable should be kept 

 wiU depend upon circumstances, such as the breed of the 

 inmates, and the peculiar uses for which they may be required. 

 Common bred horses, and horses of a very robust nature, do 

 not require so warm a stable as do those horses kept for racing, 

 steeple chasing, or hunting purposes. A temperature ranging 

 from 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit, will generally be found of 

 sufficient warmth for most horses. If greater warmth to the 

 inmates be desirable, it can be effected by additional clothing, 

 a mode to be preferred to that of increasing the general heat of 

 the stable. 



Size of Stable.— By Size of Stable is meant the number of 

 horses the stable should contain. Most horsemen who pride 

 themselves upon their knowledge of these matters, are opposed 

 to the congregation of a large number of horses in one apart- 

 ment. Some state eight stalls in one stable as the maximum ; 



