46 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



are for a time injuriously affected. For that reason he must be rested 

 and his normal dig'estive power restored before concentrated food of 

 any kind is given to him. On the other hand, hay, being" a bulky food, 

 will not hurt a horse however heated or fatigued he may be. 



Never remove the saddle and blanket in such a way as to expose a 

 wet back either in the hot rays of the sun or to a sudden cooling. The 

 pressure of the saddle restricts the blood supply and so weakens the 

 tissues of the back. In this condition a hot sun more readily burns 

 or inflames the skin, while a sudden cooling contracts the blood vessels 

 and prevents the proper return of the blood to nourish the tissues; 

 in either case sores and swellings may result. 



When the saddle is removed the back should be promptly rubbed 

 and massaged to dry it and restore the circulation. If this is impos- 

 sible the next best thing is to replace the blanket with the dry sides 

 next to the skin and again put on the saddle, girthing it loosely. 



After a long or hard march it is necessary to restore the circulation 

 in the back gradually, or sores and swellings are liable to result. To 

 do this the girth should be slightly loosened and the saddle should re- 

 main on the back for fifteen or twenty minutes. The more gradually the 

 circulation can be restored the less severe will be the pain and swelling. 



In hot weather, especially on the march, it is very refreshing" to the 

 horse to have his eyes, nostrils, dock, and the inside of his hind quarters 

 sponged with cool water. 



When the horse comes in wet with rain he should be scraped, then 

 blanketed and his head, neck, loins, and legs rubbed. If the weather 

 is cold an extra blanket should be put on for twenty minutes. The 

 wet blanket should be changed when the horse dries. 



Do not wash the legs. This practice is one of the surest means of 

 causing scratches. The legs should be rubbed dry and bandaged 

 loosely with thick bandages. vStrips of gunny sacks are satisfactory 

 for this purpose. It is far more important to have the legs warm and 

 dry than clean. The best method of treating muddy legs in order to 

 avoid scratches is to bandage them to keep them warm until they are 

 dry and then brush them clean. 



Never leave a horse for the night until he is thoroughly clean, 

 especially around his legs, pasterns, and feet. Individual men return-' 

 ing from mounted duty or pass will report their return to the stable 

 sergeant, who will inspect each horse and see that he is properlv cared 

 for. 



STABLE VICES AND THEIR PREVENTION 



Stable vices are objectionable habits of horses, practiced while idle, 

 as in the stable or on the picket line, and are caused usually by nervous- 

 ness and restlessness, but not infrequently by poor stable management. 



As a general preventive to their contraction, the animal should 

 be kept occupied and out of the stables as much a's possible during 

 the day. 



