MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 43 



Exercise tracks, or rings, are probably the most economical means 

 of exercise considering man power, but there is more danger of 

 accidents than when using the lead line. A circular or oval track about 

 fifteen feet wide with fences five feet or more in height and a well 

 drained, springy track surface is all that is necessary. 



Animals should be let onto the track in lots of not more than twenty- 

 four at a time, and there must be a rider to lead and one to follow 

 the lot. By this means the gait can be regulated and stamping 

 or crowding eliminated. If done carefully and quietly very few 

 accidents will occur. Turning animals loose in corrals and driving 

 them around is not recommended as too many a'ccidents usually occur. 



In any form of exercise, it should always be begun at a walk, for 

 ten or fifteen minutes, so that the animals' feet and legs may have good 

 circulation established before more violent exercise is taken up. It 

 should always end in the same way, at the walk, so that the animals 

 may be returned to the stable dry and breathing normally. No fast 

 exercise should be given on hard roads. When one man is exercising 

 two horses, he should ordinarily ride one out and the other in, and he 

 should lead each horse partly on one ride and partly on the other. 

 Playful or vicious animals should be led with very short rein to prevent 

 accidents. A lead rein consisting of a single rein with a snap which is 

 passed through the snaffle ring nearest the rider, under the jaw, and 

 snapped to the opposite snaffle ring is excellent. 



■ Ordinarily the greatest part of the exercise should be at the walk. 

 A fair proportion for the average troop horse in normal condition would 

 be for a two hour period ; walk 7, trot 2, gallop 1. Of course this varies 

 greatly w^ith the conditions. 



The routes selected for exercise should be varied from day to day, 

 to avoid monotony. And it is best to return by a diflferent route from 

 the one taken going out so that the animals will not fret when they 

 are headed towards stables. 



Draft and pack animals should do a considerable part of their exercise 

 drawing leads and carrying packs so that their muscles may be hard- 

 ened to the work. 



The quality and quantity of sweat are generally taken as an indica- 

 tion of condition. Thirst and sweat are to be expected in animals under 

 exercise. Some sweat profusely from purely nervous causes. Such 

 causes should be avoided as far as possible, as a great deal is taken 

 out of the animal unnecessarily. The weather has considerable in- 

 fluence on sweating and must be taken into consideration. Warm 

 or damp, muggy days will cause abnormal sweating while on cool days 

 it is often difficult to get up a sweat. 



CARE, CONDITIONING AND TRAINING OF HORSES 



It is essential that the Field Artillery Officer have a thorough and 

 practical knowledge of how to care for, condition and train the horses 

 under his charge. Herein lies his chief value as a horseman. De- 



