The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1898-07-21
Horse stab,e.-staiis and Floors.

There is a great need of reform on
the average Americans farm in the
construction. of the horse stables, the
care bestowed upon them and the man
agement of the animals which they
house, says Indiana. Farmer. In many
localities, east,and west, little Or no at
tention is given to sanitary conditions.
and for the most part they. are unfit
to- be used for any purpose whatever,
much less as the dwelling place Of an
animal so noble, intelligent and clearly
by nature, and SO sensitive to all i'm
"purities Of air, food or water, as the
horse. No heed is given to drainage,
light or ventilation, and more often
than otherwise the floors are uneven,
full Of holes, and are composed of ma
terial hard to keep clean even when
there is a disposition and an effort
made in that direction; they emit an
unwholesome. odor that Is bad for the
health of horses, and many stable Ills
are traceable thereto. Horse stables
should never be placed underground,
wholly or In part. for there is general
ly in such a location no sufficient means
for. light, ventilation and drainage;
these defects very often cause great
damage to the constitution and general
welfare of. animals that are obliged to
constantly breathe the foul air INSOFAR
able to such surroundings. Ventilation
and light in the stable are as necessary
food and exercise and. In building
stables this consideration should re-
ceive attention foremost among other
important things. Eight or nine feet
from the floor to ceiling is little
enough; 10 or IL is better. The doors
should be SO placed that when open
the air shall not be upon the horses,
and a great advantage is found in hay
ing them in two sections horizontally
in order to have the upper half to stand
open in summer to admit fresh air.
The windows, which should be large as
in a modern dwelling house and as
numerous in proportion to the size of
the room, should be SO placed as to al
low a free passage of air in warm
weather, and If in front of the horses
they must be shaded, as the full glare
of light from that direction is an in
jury to the eyes. They should also be
situated high enough SO as to allow the
air to circulate over the horses backs.
The stalls in most farm stables are too
narrow, rarely ever being over five. feet
wide and very often less. Six feet wide
is much better, more comfortable and
safer for the horse. Ample room in the
rear is also a convenience and. safe
guard against dangers and mishaps
that is too often entirely airegarded
while planning for the accommodation
and comfort of the horses in the stable
Fifteen to II feet from the head',of the
stall to the back wall is none o long
for an averaged size farm horse. We
have all seen stalls that were so short,
and some of us have had them in use,
that when the horses were in their
places scarce space enough behind them
vas allowed to walk and very often,
to add to the discomfort and cramped
condition of affairs, the harness hung
upon pegs fixed in the rear wall, which
may be a handy place for the purpose,
but besides being in the way and often
under the horses feet, the odor of a
badly kept stable is a serious injury to
the harness.