MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 81 



18. If an animal stops at its work do not ascribe it to balking until 

 you are positive that it is not sick. To find out if a horse is feverish, 

 place hand behind an ear. The normal pulse of a horse is between 50 

 to 60 beats per minute. 



DON'TS 



Don't use strong antiseptic on deep wounds. 



Don't give heart depressants, unless in case of high, bounding i)ulse. 



Don't give irritating drugs without proper dilution either in water 

 or oil. 



Don't allow a wound to heal too rapidly on the outside. 



Don't overdose. 



Don't give an animal boiled linseed oil. 



Don't drench a horse through the nostril. 



Don't feed heavily when not at work. 



Don't feed musty, dusty food. 



Don't work horse hard for first hour after i^eriod of a day's rest. 



Don't treat a decayed tooth ; knock it out. When a veterinary can 

 be reached get him ; his job is to treat sick horses and he knows how. 

 Don't take a chance. 



CARE OF SADDLERY 



The saddlery and equipment must always be cleaned after use. This 

 duty, like the care of the horse, is to be regarded as part of the mounted 

 duty itself; thus a drill is not over until horse, saddlery, arms and 

 equipments have been put again in condition. According to need, the 

 leather is simply wiped ofl^ with a damp sponge or fully taken apart 

 and well soaped and cleaned. In no case must it be soaked in water. 



If the soap used does not contain a sufticent amount of free oil, the 

 leather must be oiled to keep it pliable. A mixture of one-half neats 

 foot oil and one-half mutton tallow, well rubbed in, keeps leather in 

 good condition. Special care is taken to keep the underside of the 

 skirts of the saddle and the parts which do not come in contact with 

 the clothing well oiled. The seat and outside of the skirts will rarely 

 require oil. 



Metal parts are kept clean and free from rust; they may require oil- 

 ing if not regularly used. 



The saddle blanket must be kept clean and soft and free from wrin- 

 kles. After use it must be dried and then well shaken (unfolded). It 

 must never be folded wet and left thus with the saddles. Provision 

 will be made in the saddle room or stables for hanging up to dry. 



When necessary the blanket should be thoroughly cleaned by repeat- 

 ed immersions in tepid soapsuds and hung over a pole or line to dry 

 without wringing or pressing it. 



THE CARE AND PRESERVATION OF LEATHER 



Attention is invited to the following: 'Tt is forbidden to use any 

 dressing or polishing material on the leather accoutrements or equip- 



