SEA CAREIAGE 463 



gangway over the ship's side enables them to reach terra Jirma, which 

 they do with evident satisfaction, for thougli they are often cramped, and 

 occasionally the victims of fever in the feet, one cannot have associated 

 with horses on a voyage without observing the pleasure they display on 

 once more getting ashore. 



Diet. — Diet on ship-board requires to be carefully adjusted. Bran and 

 sweet hay should form the staple food; a little corn may be added, but the 

 less the better. A daily allowance of 4 or 5 lbs. of carrots will keep the 

 body cool and the bowels in free action, besides which they are a wholesome 

 and refreshing addition to dry aliment. 



In passing through hot climates horses should be watered at least four 

 times a day, and occasional sponging of the face will add materially to their 

 comfort. 



Medicines. — When long sea journeys have to be taken by valuable 

 horses every provision should be made for dealing with diseases and 

 accidents which may occur on the voyage, and full instructions should be 

 given to the attendant how to act in certain emergencies. Among other 

 things he should be furnished with a clinical thermometer, and exercised 

 in its use before starting. Suitable needles, carbolized thread and cord, 

 should also be provided for stitching up wounds, as well as a stock of 

 antiseptic wool for dressing them in the course of subsec[uent treatment. 



These, together with the following list of medicines, will be found to 

 meet all the ordinary requirements likely to arise in the course of a 

 voyage :— 



Nitrate of Potash Powders. Mustard. 



Physic Balls. 

 Fever Draughts. 

 Colic Draughts. 

 Cough Balls. 



Antiseptic Lotion for AVounds. 

 Stimulating Embrocation for Sprains. 

 Jar of Vaseline. 

 Pot of Zinc Ointment. 



In some horses of excitable temperament it may be found necessary to 

 inject a little morphia beneath the skin now and again until they settle 

 down to their new mode of life. 



Necessity may not arise for the use of any of the more active metlicines, 

 but where horses are confined for long periods in a standing posture a little 

 nitrate of potash powder given in the food every second or third day will 

 be found of distinct advantage in correcting any tendency that may arise 

 to filling of the legs. 



Horse Boats. — On short voyages, like that from the mainland to the 

 Isle of Wight, horses are conveyed in barge-like boats with a floating plat- 

 form at the stern, corresponding to the tail-board of a cart. However calm 

 the sea or river to be crossed, there is always a difficulty in getting horses 



