In the following remarks on loose boxes, it is necessary to allude only to the points in which the arrangements differ from those of stalls (vide preceding section).

In order to obstruct ventilation as little as possible, it is advisable not to carry the divisions of a box or of a row of boxes up to the roof or ceiling; for by doing so, we would convert them into separate rooms. At the same time, they should not be so low as to admit of the horses smelling each other over them, which is a practice that is apt to make even geldings restless and peevish, if not actually vicious. This effect is greatly intensified in the case of mares, and is apt to bring on sexual excitement in them. Allowing an entire to do such a thing, is of course wholly out of the question. A height of 7 feet for the division of a box would be amply sufficient for purposes of separation, and would be compatible with free ventilation; as the height of the ceiling or roof will under ordinary circumstances be at least 9, if not 10 feet. As a further preventive against the horses smelling each other, I would advise, even at the cost of a certain amount of obstruction to ventilation, that the side partitions of boxes should be solid, and not with their upper portion made of rails or bars, as is often done. We shall generally find that there is no necessity, except perhaps in the case of entires, of having the upper part of the division at the entrance of the box solid, even when the box has another box or stall facing it.

For full-sized horses, 3 feet from the ground will be a convenient height for the manger and hay-holder, both of which may be of the same respective shape as that advised for use in stalls. To economise space, these two receptacles may be placed, one in each corner, at the top of the box. It is an advantage to have the manger of considerable length, say, 5 or 6 ft. long, so that the corn, when given, may be spread out in a thin layer on the bottom of the manger, in which case the horse will be obliged to eat it more slowly, and will be less liable to make it foul, than he would do, if the food was collected in a heap. If the horse is not inclined to soil and throw his hay about, and has no infirmity that would prevent him from feeding easily off the ground, there is no need to employ any special apparatus to hold the hay, which, in that case, can be put into a corner for the horse to eat. If a receptacle is needed to hold the hay, and it is not convenient to get a ready-made hay-holder, a cheap and serviceable one may be constructed of wood, which should, of course, be protected by some substance like zinc or sheet-iron, that the horse will not seize with his teeth. If wood be objected to, a brick wall, 3 feet high, may be built across one corner, at the head of the box, so as to leave a triangular opening at the top. A similar structure might serve to hold the manger.

For feeding a horse off the ground, we may use a sheet or large wooden box for the corn, and may put the hay to one side or the other, at the head of the loose box within convenient reach of the animal.

The horse may get his water out of a sheet-iron bucket placed in one of the corners of the box; provided of course that he shows no inclination to play with the bucket and upset it. To avoid accident, it is well to have no handle on a bucket left on the floor in a box or a stall. An arrangement which I have found to work well, is that of suspending to one of the bars of the door or division at the entrance of the box, a bucket of water (Fig. 27), and giving strict orders for the bucket to be kept constantly full, by being, after the animal has drunk its contents, detached from its bar, taken out of the box, filled directly from the water source (tap, pump, cistern, pond, or other means of supply), and replaced, so as to avoid getting the water tainted. No tying-up chains are required in a loose-box; although a rack-chain will be necessary.