HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. NO. 4- 
251 
HINTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.— 
No. 4; 
Stables.— As to the sizes of stables, they may be 
of any dimensions, proportionate to the number of 
animals to be accommodated, provided the important 
considerations of adequate room and ventilation 
are duly considered. Strong plank divisions are 
necessary between each horse, though these need 
not extend over five feet in the rear of his head. 
They should be from four to five and a half feet 
wide, according to the size of the horse, to allow 
ample room for lying down and rising, without 
cramping or straining the animal. The horse that 
is used through the day, requires to lie down at 
night. He may, it is true, continue to live along 
and work, for an almost indefinite period, where 
the only sleep or rest he gets, is on his legs. But 
this is not natural, neither is it economical to his 
owner. When deprived of the comfort of lying 
in a roomy, airy position, and enjoying a perfect 
relaxation, a certain proportion of his muscular 
ability is abstracted, which he would otherwise re- 
tain, to expend in his speed or hard work. He 
has to eat more, and accomplish less than if treated 
in accordance with his natural habits, and the dic- 
tates of humanity. To tempt the horse to lie down 
as soon as his stomach is filled, 
An abundance of litter ought to be provided, and 
if this be kept principally near the manger, it will 
serve his purpose for bedding, without much waste, 
provided the urine be drained from the horse by a 
slightly-inclined flooring, which should invariably 
be done. By shaking up the litter that has become 
damp, and allowing it to dry, it may be used again, 
unless from its abundance, it be an object to con- 
vert it into manure as speedily as possible, when 
it may be thrown upon the muck heap as fast as it 
becomes saturated. 
There is no objection to double rows of stalls, pro- 
vided they are so far apart, that vicious animals 
cannot hit each other from opposite sides, nor 
strike such as are led behind them. Where large 
numbers are kept together, there is some economy 
in room, and an advantage in ventilation, by using 
double rows, having an ample passage between 
them. Strong floors, incapable of breaking through, 
are important, if a horse's legs are to be kept 
whole. Almost equally necessary is it, that the 
sides, or divisions of the stalls, be smooth and 
sound, not splintered, nor with jagged corners, 
against which a restive horse may frequently in- 
jure himself. 
Stable doors, and the passage to the stalls ought 
to be so wide and high, that a spirited horse will 
not be liable to injury in passing them; and they 
should be free from any projecting staples or other 
sharp points, either of wood or iron, that can pos- 
sible gall them. A horse can get through a door 
three and a half feet wide, if he walks leisurely; 
but it is better that it always be four and a half; 
and if there are many inmates, it is still better to 
have double doors, swinging six to eight feet, 
which allows for passing two at a time, and facili- 
tates ventilation. 
Height in stables is essential, as it tends materi- 
ally to purity of air, and prevents injury from 
striking the head against the timbers. 
Light for stables is too much neglected, but this 
is an important consideration. If the stable is 
small, it may be adequately lighted by windows in 
the sides, or at the rear of the horses. A better 
plan, however, is to have a sky light from the 
roof, (where no flooring above is necessary,) and 
thus the light is evenly diffused throughout. But 
if no other opportunity is afforded, then small win- 
dows may be placed in front, if elevated above the 
heads of the animals, and the light will thus be 
thrown down in front and around them, without 
producing a glare, which is so prejudicial to their 
sight. A horse can see tolerably well in the dark, 
owing to the expansibility of the pupil of the 
eyes; yet, as this organ is intended for use when 
exposed to a full sunshine, it is important that the 
pupil be not habitually enlarged, for the purpose of 
sufficiently concentrating rays to see by. The 
effect is peculiarly bad, when the horse is brought 
suddenly into the light. This causes pain and a 
momentary blur in the eyes. The privation can 
never be long persisted in without serious detri- 
ment. Another bad effect, from the privation of 
light, results to the groom, as he has an excuse for 
neglect of that cleanliness,, which ought to be pre- 
served in every well-kept stable. Another advan- 
tage of well-arranged windows is, to be found in 
the facility for ventilation which they can supply. 
Fresh air is attainable wherever there is light, though 
the converse of the proposition is not always true. 
Occasionally it is better to shut off the light when 
the animal requires undisturbed rest, or for the pur- 
pose of ridding him from the torment of flies. 
Racks, mangers, and feeding troughs are impor- 
tant fixtures in the arrangements of stables. Many 
discard the former entirely, but they have their ad- 
vantages. When hay is not cut before feeding, it 
is always better to be eaten from a rack. By hav- 
ing this properly elevated, it habituates the animal 
to throw his head well up ; and if sufficiently 
guarded, it prevents the waste too often associated 
with open boxes. But racks ought invariably 
to be accompanied with a trough at the bottom, 
which will catch the fine leaves, stems, and seeds 
that are shaken out of the hay, and which consti- 
tute its most nutritive portions. 
Racks are usually made of wood, but round iron 
bars would be better and more durable ; and if in- 
fection from a diseased horse is ever communicated 
to them, it is more easily removed. If of wood, 
the bars should be of hard timber, with a perfectly 
smooth surface. About two, or two and a half 
inches, is a suitable distance for them. The front 
ought to stand perpendicular, to facilitate reaching 
the hay without throwing the nose upward, which, 
in this position, is liable to inhale fragments of the 
hay. This is particularly objectionable for horses 
subject to heaves, or any affection of the lungs. 
The back of the rack should terminate at the bot- 
tom in contact with the bars, and slope upward 
high enough to contain from 10 to 15 lbs. of hay. 
The latter quantity should be seldom fed at once ; 
and the former quantity, or even two thirds of it, 
is as much as is generally required for horses that 
are well grained. It is better to give less and feed 
oftener, as whatever is left over becomes soared or 
distasteful to the horse, from his breath. Boom is 
economized by placing the rack in one corner 
of the stall, where it need occupy but little 
