100 PRACTICAL HINTS ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 
ported on iron pillars, by means of which the stables would be 
rendered less draughty, for the circular iron pillar would other a 
more limited surface to oppose any gust of wind that might per¬ 
chance gain entrance to the stable, and thus the piercing draughts 
occasioned by the square piles of bricks on which the present 
erections are supported would be avoided. With this object 
still in view, viz., the annihilation of the draughts, each 
opening into the verandahs should be furnished with a purdah, 
made with a reed or cane framework, and this covered 
with tat or sacking, since this article will be found far more 
durable, and infinitely less cumbersome, than the ordinary 
shamp of matting and bamboo ; nor is it so liable to fall on 
and frighten a horse when the animal may be taken from or 
brought into the stable. 
In hanging these purdahs a small space should be left between 
the upper part of the purdah and the edge of the verandah roof, 
to allow the passage of a certain volume of air, and they should 
be dropped, as a rule, only on the windward side and end of the 
building, leaving one side of the stable generally open. 
Ridge ventilation with movable louvre boards, should be 
attached to the roof of the stables, and with these aids the in¬ 
gress of the air could be regulated, and draughts of either hot, 
cold, or damp winds avoided, while the spacious verandahs 
would protect the inmates from the danger and discomfort of 
prolonged exposure to the action of the sun or rain. 
Single stables .—The above precaution effectively carried out in 
double stables would, I affirm, sensibly diminish the annual mor¬ 
tality amongst the horses in this country ; but I consider stables 
with stands on one side only, if properly situated, of ample height 
and width, having a southern aspect, ventilated and protected in 
the manner already described, with the addition of windows, or 
air-holes, cut high in the walls over each horse, would be far more 
healthy than those built on the double plan. 
Loose boxes .—It would be advisable to allow each quiet troop 
horse a roomy loose box to live in, instead of tethering him by 
the head and heels, as troopers, and very many private horses, 
too, unnecessarily are at the present time; and in this country, 
where there is usually ample space to build upon, the cost of 
these boxes would be very little, if any, in excess of the outlay 
for the ordinary stables, while the comfort, at least, of the in¬ 
mates would be secured. 
IVant of protection .—I have for many years been deeply im¬ 
pressed with, and astonished at, the fact that although in India 
man’s ingenuity is highly taxed, and all his skill brought to 
bear, to invent and carry into effect schemes and methods for the 
protection of man and horse against the ills which may possibly 
