Among Horses in India. 13 



are open at the rear like sheds, because the air in them is 

 less pure. The darkness assists in concealing dirty floors, 

 and the horses lose the beneficial effect which sunlight has 

 upon all except nocturnal animals. 



When only three sides of a stable are walled, the open end 

 should be provided with chicks. These, while allowing a 

 free circulation of air, assist in keeping away flies, prevent 

 too great a glare of light, and afford shelter from cold 

 winds. 



Loose Boxes. 



All horses in private stables should be allowed loose boxes 

 whenever the space will admit of it. The gentle exercise 

 which they take when walking around helps greatly to keep 

 their feet and legs healthy. 



The divisions between the boxes are readily made with 

 mud walls about a foot thick. They should be built suffi- 

 ciently high to prevent horses reaching over and biting each 

 other, but should not be made higher, otherwise the ventila- 

 tion of the stable will be interfered with. 



The rear of each box is usually closed by strong wooden 

 bars, about two feet apart, placed horizontally. Their ends 

 rest in holes made either in the mud walls or in upright 

 posts. 



The saises and grass-cutters dislike boxes because they 

 require an extra amount of bedding, and are less convenient 

 for themselves to sleep in than a long open stable where 

 every horse is tied. You should always endeavour to pro- 

 vide a sufficient number of houses for all your servants and 

 their families. If, as is frequently the case, the accommoda- 

 tion is small, the attendants upon the horses are sure to be 

 persuaded by the other servants to sleep in the stables. In 

 order to avoid being trampled upon they will put heel-ropes 

 on the horses, and make both these and the head-collar ropes 

 so short that the comfort of the animals will be much inter- 

 fered with. 



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