I attach great importance to allowing the horse freedom to move about in his stall, and opportunity and inducement to lie down when he chooses, so that stagnation of blood in his feet may be avoided, both by movement, and by the assumption of a horizontal position, and that his legs and frame may obtain the rest which is essential to their well-being: hence I recommend large loose boxes well bedded down and partitioned off, moderately darkened stables, and the absence of all noise and disturbing influences between grooming hours.

The blood vessels in the foot of the horse, unlike those in other parts, do not possess valves; because the almost constant movement-except when the animal is lying down or sleeps standing-that he, in a natural state, takes in the search for his food, prevents stagnation of blood by gravitation while he assumes the erect position, for on the foot being raised, blood rushes into and fills these vessels, which, at the next moment, are emptied by the effect of pressure, the instant the foot is brought to the ground and weight is thrown on it.

I thoroughly agree with Admiral Rous' remark that, "The windows of a stable ought never to be shut by night or day; in cold weather, add to the clothing, but never deprive them of the first great source of vitality, 'fresh air.'"

In India, during the cold weather, the air is generally so dry that precautions to be taken against draughts are not nearly so necessary as in England. Respecting the latter country, Professor Williams writes, "Horses kept in ill-ventilated stables are undoubtedly rendered suscep

tible to many diseases, and to pneumonia among the rest, but they will bear impure air even better than cold draughts blowing directly upon them. I have repeatedly observed that the slightest cold contracted by a horse kept in a draughty stable has almost invariably been succeeded by pneumonia, and, that if the animal was not removed to a more comfortable situation, the disease tended to a fatal termination."

Grooms in England have a strong prejudice in favour of warm stables, on account of the good effect they have on the animals' coats, while these men naturally ignore the increased susceptibility to catching cold, which horses kept in such places acquire, as well as the very marked tendency the legs and feet have of “going to pieces;" for a horse, that is laid up with a cough, or a filled leg, gives far less trouble to the groom, than one which is in full work. In winter, horses undoubtedly thrive better in comfortable stables than in cold bleak ones. The owner, trainer, or groom can personally satisfy himself as to the proper degree of warmth by regulating it according to what he would consider agreeable to his own feelings, were he to make the stable his own abode; always remembering that its atmosphere should be pure, and free from the slightest suspicion of" closeness."

With hard-worked animals-such as race-horses, &c.-I have found the best results attend the practice of keeping the stables moderately dark, in order to induce the occupants to lie down, and, during hot weather, to keep the abode cool, by preventing the admission of rays of light, which are always accompanied by rays

of heat. I here take for granted that the free circulation of air is not interfered with.

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On all occasions, when the stables are empty, they should be thrown open for the admittance of sun-light, which is a powerful disinfectant.

Mangers. Many years ago, Professor Coleman directed, and I think with reason, that the feeding trough should be placed on the ground, as that arrangement makes the horse assume the natural position in which he was intended to feed. I advocate this practice, because it obliges the animal to eat much slower than he would do, were the manger in the usual position; hence he will masticate his food more thoroughly. In order to carry out this principle still further, I would advise that a broad feeding-box be used, in which the grain should be spread in a comparatively thin layer. Some horses, from infirmity, &c., will require the manger to be slightly raised, say, a foot from the ground.

Picketing horses.—Head and heel-ropes are admissible only with animals-like those in the Artillery and Cavalry that may be called upon to camp out at any time. In such cases, if there be any probability of rain, great care should be taken to render the pegs secure, for, if a shower falls, it will both render the horses fidgetty, and will loosen the hold the pegs have in the ground.

Natives, when they use head and heel-ropes, are very prone to tie up the horses far too tightly.

Horses should never be picketed by a fore-leg, for then they will be very apt to screw themselves by straining at the rope, in the event of being startled, or when jumping about in play.

During the hot weather, in the plains, the horse may, with advantage, be picketed to a pole fixed vertically in the ground, round which his bedding should be spread. The head-rope should be attached to a moveable iron ring, which works round the pole. No heelropes are necessary.

Poultry should never be allowed about a stable, nor should they be kept near it, for the louse, that often infects fowl, proves excessively irritating to the horse, when they are allowed to settle on him. Removal of the poultry will soon cure the animal attacked, for these parasites cannot live, beyond two or three days, away from their proper "host."

Disinfecting Stables.-When the floors of stables are formed simply by the surface of the ground, they should be dug up, from time to time, the tainted soil removed, and fresh, dry mould substituted.

This proceeding is particularly necessary after the appearance of Loodiana Fever.

To purify metalled floors, and drains, a solution of 1lb of sulphate of iron (Hind. hurree kussees) to the gallon of water may be used.

Crude carbolic acid may be applied to the iron and woodwork of the stable.

Carbolized sawdust may be sprinkled here and there in a stable, occasionally, in order to keep it fresh and sweet. This preparation is made by steeping sawdust in as much crude carbolic acid and water-using a solution of equal quantities—as it will take up (see Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners).

CHAPTER II.

Clothing-Bedding-Stable Gear.

CLOTHING -BANDAGES-BOOTS-CLOTHS-BEDDING-STRAW-SAW

DUST-SAND-TAN-NOSEBAGS-FOMENTING BUCKETS AND SHOES
-OAT-BRUISING MACHINE-ARTICLES USED IN GROOMING.

Clothing. For the maintenance of high condition in the horse, it is requisite that he should be supplied, in the stable, with an ample quantity of warm clothingshort of causing him to perspire. Clothing not alone stimulates the skin to act, and guards the animal from the ill effects of chill, but also aids in maintaining the internal temperature of the body, thereby supplementing one of the most important offices of food. To avoid overweighting the horse too much, it is advisable to use only good English clothing of close material and not too heavy. During the cold months, a suit of warm clothing by day, with an extra rug at night, will generally be sufficient. As a rule, hoods may be dispensed with, though a "night cap" may be put on at night. This article is a short hood about a foot long, and is made to fit close round the throat. Ordinary hoods, if buckled to the body-piece, are apt during the night to prove uncomfortable to the horse; while, if unattached, they