Dryness being, as we have seen, a condition favourable to the health of horses, the site chosen for stables should be as free as possible from moisture, and should be well drained. Soil which is naturally damp, or which, like clay, retains rain or other water for a comparatively long period on or near its surface, should of course be avoided. The best soil upon which to erect stables, provided the drainage is perfect, is one of deep gravel or deep sand, free from organic matter. Soils made, as we sometimes find in towns, from various kinds of refuse, are often very unhealthy.

As horses require a constant supply of pure air, the position of their stables should be in no way confined. At the same time, as the animals are liable to suffer from the effects of chill, the ground for their abodes should not be too exposed to winds. In confirmation of this expression of opinion, we have the fact that in some parts of India, paralysis of the loins from chill is not uncommon among horses which are exposed to cold winds at night coming after great heat during the day; and that the occurrence of this paralysis has been stopped by the construction of a wall which was capable of sheltering the animals from the chilly night breeze. Although this form of paralysis is very rare in England, the knowledge of its cause and means of prevention furnishes us with a lesson which can be usefully applied even in this country.

As sunlight promotes the health of horses, the south or south-west is, as a rule, the best aspect for stables.

We may assume from the foregoing remarks that an ideal site for stables would be on the side of a hill sloping downwards to the south or south-west, and on gravel or sand.

The presence of trees, shrubs, or underwood near a stable might in many cases be objected to with reason, on account of the obstruction it offers to the free circulation of air; but no exception in this respect should, I think, be taken to fir trees. Their trunks offer but little impediment to the due circulation of air; their lofty foliage breaks the strength of high winds, and the volatile oils which escape from them, and which perfume the surrounding atmosphere, have probably a good sanitary influence on the horses stabled in their vicinity.