412 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



for flies. Therefore, the stables should be cleaned fre- 

 quently and a liberal supply of absorbent bedding should 

 be provided to take up the liquids voided. The mangers 

 should be kept clean at all times. They must receive 

 special attention in case corn on the cob is fed, otherw^ise 

 the cobs will accumulate in the bottom of the mangers, 

 where they form a fertile media for the propagation of 

 germs of all kinds. The ceiling and walls should be 

 cleaned frequently with a cobweb broom to prevent ex- 

 cessive dust and filth accumulation. It is a good plan to 

 have the stable fixtures, walls and ceiling of a light color, 

 as this facilitates both cleaning and lighting. 



Convenience.- — In the planning and construction of 

 horse barn due regard should be had for convenience, ni 

 only in respect to cleaning the stable and in feeding, hx 

 for all other farm work as well. As a rule, the barn i 

 more convenient to the farm when centrally located, but 

 more convenient to the market when located near the 

 highway. In this respect, therefore, the location would 

 depend on the type of farming. Thus if most of the 

 produce was to be sold it would be more convenient near 

 the highway, whereas if the major part of the crops were 

 to be fed it would be more convenient near the center of 

 the farm, as both the crops produced and the resulting 

 manure are nearer the place where needed, thus lessening 

 team work. 



As a rule, the horse barn should be planned to hold 

 sufficient food for the animals housed therein. An 

 abundance of loft space can be secured at little additional 

 expense. The barn should be arranged so as to feed the 

 horses with the minimum amount of labor. This can be 

 accomplished more satisfactorily by arranging two rows 

 of stalls, standing the animals with their heads toward the 

 center. A six to eight-foot feeding alley should be ar- 

 ranged through the center and a four to seven-foot lead 

 alley behind the horses along the wall. Such alleys will 

 give ample room for the feed and litter carriers and pro- 



