THE LOOSE BOXES AND THE STALIS, 5 
The stalls are of the following dimensions; width, six fect 
two inches in the clear; height at head, seven feet six inches 
tapering to five feet one inch at the tail—both ends being de- 
signedly unusually high for the safety and well-being of the 
horses ; two paramount objects. This height may appear 
extreme, and has the effect of dwarfing the occupants in 
appearance. But for racing purposes there is no object in 
adding to their stature, and the advantages of the plan are 
obvious. For one thing, the additional height prevents 
horses from seeing each other and so becoming restless and 
kicking over the lower end, and injuring themselves, which in 
ordinary stalls they may do. Behind the stalls there is a 
space of nine feet ; ample room for removing the dung every 
morning and for traversing the stable with pleasure and safety. 
The length of the stall from manger to lower stall-post is ten 
feet five inches. This prevents the inmates kicking each 
other, which in shorter stalls may very easily be done. The 
height from floor to ceiling is ten feet. The partitions consist 
of a two-inch planking of beech or oak, dowelled in three 
places to prevent the possibility of separation through kick- 
ing or other violence. 
Over three sides of the square are spacious lofts for the 
storage of hay,-corn, and straw in separate compartments. 
The ends are partitioned off and ceiled, forming sleeping- 
rooms for the boys ; the head lad having a room to himself, 
or if married slecping at home. In one angle are two saddlc- 
rooms; the one for keeping the saddlery when clean, the 
other for cleaning it. In an adjoining room the clothes are 
dried, and a copper in a small room next to it supplies 
hot water. 
The corn is conducted from the stores to the feeding bins 
by means of a tube, before entering which it has to pass 
