14 Stable Management and the Prevention of Disease 



Ghakas under Tlooes. 



A most detestable practice carried on by saises in some 

 private stables is that of burying a large earthen vessel called 

 a ghara in the floor under the place where each horse stands. 

 This was formerly done in certain native cavalry stables, and 

 I heard of at least one instance where the vessels were found 

 in the lines of a British cavalry regiment. The object of so 

 burying them is to form receptacles for the urine, and they are 

 left undisturbed and uncleansed for months^ or even years. 

 When dug up they are invariably found full of putrid urine, 

 the soil all round being saturated with it to a depth of two 

 or three feet. 



Ground Ventilation. 



Ground ventilation is rarely properly provided for, although 

 it is of great importance in all stables with walls. Its 

 advantages are that it ensures a supply of pure air for the 

 horse to breathe when lying down, and that it causes vapours 

 or gases rising from the urine and dung to be at once carried 

 off One or more holes, about a foot square, should be 'made 

 in the corners of the wall opposite the doorway, and a few 

 inches above the level of the ground outside, so that rain- 

 water may not enter through them. Each hole should be 

 guarded by a wooden frame containing iron bars, or a plate 

 of zinc perforated with holes about half an inch in diameter, 

 so as to keep out jackals, dogs, and other animals. In very 

 cold weather it is easy to protect the horses from draughts 

 by placing some loose bedding against the hole, and thus 

 breaking the force of the wind. 



To Prevent Eobbeey of Grain. 



As some saises are in the habit of stealing the grain, many 

 people have their horses brought to the veranda of the 

 bungalow at each meal-time to be fed before them. It is, 

 however, quite as good a plan to allow the horse sufficient 

 iood, and let the sais know that he will be discharged if the 

 animal fall into b,ad condition. This system generally has 



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