PASTURED HORSES 



233 



exists for billeting horses in pasture with half 

 rations of forage at the discretion of the 

 officer commanding the unit. Pastured 

 horses condition very rapidl}^, but soften a 

 good deal in a wet season, so that one needs as 

 usual to supple the harness with oil, and also 

 to provide some sheepskin for padding of parts 

 w^hich cause chafing. To meet the need of 

 having horses instantl}^ available, I used two 

 fields, the richer for night pasture, the poorer 

 for my horse lines and drill ground. As horses 

 in pasture grow wild and difficult to catch if 

 chased about by recruits, I had a rope tied to a 

 tree near the corner of the field, and held out- 

 w^ard by two men, forming an enclosure into 

 which the herd was drifted for catching after 

 the night's rest. Drifting and catching needed 

 no more time than the work of unshackling on 

 the lines. 



The system of pasturing by night ensures a 

 clean bed for horses to lie down, whereas the 

 lines, however carefully cleared of manure, are 

 very soon fouled by staling, while the ground 

 is trampled into mud or dust. Old horse lines 

 make most dangerous ground for camps long 

 after the visible dirt has been grassed over. 

 The insects and germs from the horse lines are 

 liable to affect the health of troops. 



