422 
STABLE MANAGEMENT. 
The subject of drainage can be dismissed with a very few remarks, 
as it more properly comes under the head of stable construction. In 
military stables the system of surface drainage is generally adopted, 
and this method is, in my opinion, by far the best. I consider that all 
sunk stall drains in a stable are an abomination; the traps frequently 
get out of order, the gratings become choked or broken, and the 
accumulation of foul matter in the drain pits is a continual source of 
trouble. With granite or good concrete floors we can keep the surface 
drains in perfect order, and, providing that the main drain outside is at a 
proper distance from the stable and is well trapped, this system leaves 
nothing to be desired. Stables paved with the old-fashioned cobble 
stones still exist in some of our barracks, and these are very difficult 
to keep in a satisfactory sanitary condition. The paving soon becomes 
uneven, the stones get loose in the cement setting, and the earth becomes 
more or less saturated with urine and the fluid sweepings of the stable. 
The stalls in troop stables are. separated by bails, which should be 
hung rather low. If bails are placed too high, horses may frequently 
injure themselves seriously by kicking over them and being unable to 
release themselves. A. vicious horse should always be placed in a 
corner stall and, if possible, with a spare stall between himself and 
his neighbour. A stout plank slung from a bail is a good remedy 
against injury by kicking. 
The management of the bedding is an item of importance, but it is 
so thoroughly understood in the Army that I need only allude to it in 
order to mention one or two points. In many private stables it is the 
habit, especially in wet weather, for the groom to place the litter under 
the manger. This is a great mistake, because the gases given off from 
the more or less foul bedding are directly inhaled by the horse. There¬ 
fore, if there are no litter-slieds outside, the bedding should be stacked 
in the middle of the stable, or at all events in the rear of the horses 
instead of in front of them. In nearly all military stables litter-sheds 
are provided so that the soiled bedding can be removed from the stable 
and exposed to the air even in the most inclement weather. 
In fine weather the litter should be frequently shaken up outside the 
stable, and the day's ration of fresh straw thoroughly mixed through 
it. By adopting this plan considerable waste will be avoided, and the 
horses will, to a certain extent, be prevented from eating the fresh 
straw. Bedding down at mid-day is a system adopted in some mounted 
corps, and, in my opinion, it is a very excellent one. Many horses will 
lie down during the afternoon if they are permitted to do so, and this 
short rest is a great boon to them, especially after a hard field-day. 
I have heard this system objected to on account of the scarcity of 
bedding, but I know from experience that if the litter is well managed 
the allowance is sufficient for the purpose. As an illustration, I may 
mention that when I was in Dublin some years ago, two cavalry regi¬ 
ments were stationed in that garrison. One bedded down at mid-day, 
and the other at the evening stable hour, and I was surprised to find, 
at my inspections, that the bedding in the former regiment was actually 
more abundant than in the latter. 
Horses should always be watered before and not immediately after 
