STABLES 253 



slack in whatever position the horse's head may be without ex- 

 erting any drag on the head. Another method is to tie a short 

 halter shank to a ring which travels a perpendicular rod, in 

 much the same manner as some cow ties are made. The length 

 and adjustment of both rod and halter shank should be such as 

 to allovv the liO'rse am})le freedom, either standing or lying down, 

 yet never permitting any slack in the strap. Halter shanks, 

 whether rope, strap, or chain, should be attached to the head 

 stall by a snap to insure certain and prompt release of the horse 

 in case of emergency. 



Passageways both behind and between stalls should be of 

 am2)le width, and if paved should be roughed in some manner 

 to pi'event sliiiijing. A smoothly finished concrete or asphalt 

 pavement may be made safe by a thin coating of sliarji sand re- 

 plenished daily, or, better yet, the concrete may be corrugated or 

 rough surfaced, even to the e-xtent of a layer of fine crushed stone 

 to give a foothold. This last, however, is more difficult to swee]) 

 and clean. If bricks are used they should be laid on an angle 

 and be so bevelled and pointed as to afford a catch for the shoe. 



Doors should be so located as to be most convenient yet least 

 producti\'e of drafts in the stable. Single doors should not be 

 less than four feet in width and double doors eight feet. The 

 usual height is eight feet. Kolling doors are preferable to hinged 

 doors, especially in the interior of the stable as on box stalls, for 

 the reason that they are always out of the way, while a partially 

 open hingx'd door may project into a passage in such a way as to 

 seriously injru'e a horse. 



Windows should be ample in size and number to pro\'i(l(' 

 requisite light and ventilation. They should be placed high 

 enough over the horses' heads to protect their eyes from the direct 

 light of the sun. In the simpler systems of ventilation, the 

 windows serve for inlets, and should for that purpose be so con- 

 structed as to drop inward from the top, thus directing the air 

 toward the ceiling where it becomes diffused and gradually 

 settles to the floor of the stable. The sides of the windows should 

 be protected by fenders, which prevent side and downward drafts. 

 The opening should be regulated in accordance with the velocity 



