PROPER TEMPERATURE OF STABLE. 201 



Some contend for an amount of heat which would raise Fahren- 

 heit's thermometer to 65° or 70°, while others would never have 

 their stables, if they could help it, above 45°. So much depends 

 upon the kind of horse in them, and the work he has to do, that 

 is to say, whether he is much exposed to the cold or not, that no 

 rule can be laid down which is applicable to all stables, but I be- 

 lieve it may be asserted that none should be above 60°, or below 

 50°, if it can be avoided. There are days in the summer season, 

 when the air out of doors in the shade stands at 90° or 95°, and, 

 of course, in such weather, it is impossible, even with the doors 

 and windows wide open, to keep the stable at a lower degree, el- 

 even within several points of those above stated. So also, with a 

 thermometer scarcely above zero, it will be difficult to keep the 

 air wholesome, and yet to prevent its temperature falling lower 

 than 45°, which, at such seasons, feels very warm to those who 

 come in from the external air. But, with these exceptions, I 

 think the rule which I have laid down is a good one. The warmer 

 the stable, the better the coat looks, till it is exposed to the 

 weather, and even if it is so, it will take no injury if the horse is 

 kept moving, but if not, it soon becomes chilled, and not only 

 does the general health suffer, but the appearance also. There is, 

 however, another, and very serious objection to hot stables, con- 

 sisting in their ill-effect upon the legs and feet, which inflame 

 much more readily in a warm atmosphere than in a cool oqc I 

 have often known horses stand severe rattling for months together, 

 while standing in a stable which was so cold as to make their coats 

 as rough as badgers, but when removed to warmer quarters, they 

 have at once gone " all to pieces," their legs or feet becoming in- 

 flamed from missing the refrigerating effect of cool air after their 

 daily work. The body may easily be kept warm enough by extra 

 clothing, and, if necessary, a hood and breastplate may be worn 

 all day and all night, but not even wet bandages will cool the legs 

 if they are surrounded by hot air. On the whole, therefore, for 

 the private gentleman's stable, including those for hunters, hacks, 

 and carriage horses, I should advise a regular temperature to be 

 preserved as near 55° of Fahrenheit as possible. In coming in 

 from the external air this will appear very warm to the sensations, 

 but it is far below the high state of heat at which many of our 

 stables were kept, until within the last few years. I have often 

 known 70° to 75° of Fahrenheit insisted on as the lowest which 

 would suffice to get a hunter into condition, but practice proves 

 the reverse, and that with plenty of clothing he will do in a cool 

 stable of the temperature I have recommended, far better than in 

 one possessing a higher range. The celebrated " Nimrod" (Mr. 

 Apperley) was a great advocate for a hot stable, which he thought 

 ought never to be reduced much below 70° or 75° ; but his 



