188 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



The Stable S.ergcant sees that the feed bags, necessary grain measures, 

 a few bandages and disinfectants and stable tools are placed in the 

 center of the forage car, so as to be readily accessible. 



Procure loading pens and chutes if possible. If none are available 

 get railroad platforms or ramps. Make a ramp well supported with 

 strong sides and provide it with cleats to prevent slipping. Lanyards 

 should be attached to each side of the floor near the middle and made 

 fast to truss rods in the middle of the car, to prevent the ramp from 

 sliding ofif the car near the door sill. Boards and brush may be used to 

 make a bridge. As a last resort use a bridge of earth to reach as near 

 as possible to the side of the car and bridge the ga]) with the car door. 



If loading with improvised facilities, always try to get the car in a 

 shallow cut. 



For each car being loaded four selected noncommissioned officers, a 

 mechanic, and a gun squad should be detailed. Two of the noncommis- 

 sioned officers are detailed to work inside of the car. The remaining 

 noncommissioned officers are detailed to work at the door of the car. 

 Two of the members of the gun squad are detailed to collect the halter 

 tie ropes and see that they are turned over to the Stable Sergeant at 

 the forage car. The remaining cannoneers assist the noncommissioned 

 officers at the doors. When chutes are available all these men except 

 the noncommissioned officers should remain outside the runways until 

 they are needed. When pens and chutes are available the horses are 

 penned by carload lots. A noncommissioned officer and a driver squad 

 are assigned to work in each loading pen. The horses should not be 

 loaded until the loading of all carriages and stores has been completed. 



When the journey is to exceed 24 hours suitable arrangements should 

 be made with the railroad authorities for the stop for feeding, rest, and 

 exercise. It is desirable that the place for unloading should be selected 

 several hours beforehand so that nroper notice may be given to the 

 station agent and other railroad officials. In order to avoid reloading 

 the animals at night a station should be selected that will be reached 

 about noon. 



The necessary requirements for a suitable feeding station are water 

 and a platform, or preferably, a chute for taking the animals out of the 

 cars. 



Ample stock pens, dry footing facilities for renewing the 1)edding in 

 the cars, etc., are also desirable. 



In the United States the state laws for shi])])ing stock should be con- 

 sulted and com])lied with. 



LOADING 



The remaining dri\crs bring the horses from the loading ])ens and 

 i)lace a new carload lot in the loading pen as soon as the preceding- lot 

 has been loaded. As the horses arrive the drivers in the loading pen 

 remove the halter tie ropes and pass them to the cannoneers detailed 

 to collect them. The gate to the runway is kept close until the gang- 

 plank is in place, the side gates closed against the gangway, and the 



