246 WITH SCOTT : THE SILVER LINING 



skin or sluggish blood necessitated five pricks. This blood, 

 if healthy, should be quite alkaline, and its alkalinity is tested 

 by neutralizing the blood with dilute sulphuric acid. Anyway, 

 I didn't think much of it ! For if most of the fellows were 

 extra good — 1 was medium only, while Scott and Wright (two 

 of the toughest specimens) were the worst ! 



Several of the officers were recalcitrant, and refused all the 

 Owner's cajoling to lecture ! Oates only gave in after much 

 importunity, for he hated public speaking in any form. How- 

 ever, his lecture on " Horse Training " was awaited with much 

 interest. He solemnly arose and commenced lugubriously 

 with the words, " I have been fortunate in having another 

 date set apart for me for a second lecture," which raised a 

 shout of laughter. 



LECTURE ON HORSES. 



By Oates. 



May 17, 191 1. 



In feeding the ponies during the winter we must run no risks. 

 The pony's stomach is very small, and he stores water in a caecum 

 between the guts. In a natural state he grazes 20 hours out of the 24, 

 hence it is advisable to divide up the meals as much as possible and 

 give it them five times a day. This is inconvenient here, but we feed 

 them three times a day. 



Compressed chaff made from young hay would be very good, but 

 our Australian hay was not likely to be cut very young. (" Oh ! " from 

 Debenham.) Bran tends to dry the mouth ; oats are good, because he 

 must chew them ; and oilcake is very nutritious. 



The pony meals are as follows : — 



Morning : Chaff. 



Noon : Snow, chaff, oilcake, or oats. Always give them water on 

 an empty stomach. 



Evening : Snow at 5 p.m. ; branmash with boiled oilcake or boiled 

 oats and chaff. 



With regard to the famous continental training, our English polo 

 teams can beat the foreigners, as was shown by Colonel de Lisle. It 

 is a Munchausen tale to speak of " lifting " a horse over a fence with 

 the bridle. 



Here are two horses, drawn by Uncle Bill for me. One is 

 " balanced," the other not. The better horse puts most weight on the 

 hind legs, which are the propelling members. One should make them 

 walk fast. If necessary, dig them under the ribs ! (Birdie plaintively 



