MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. 1 37 



Halts. — A first halt should be made after going one or two miles, to Halts, 

 allow the horses to stale ; make sure that the saddlery and harness is all 

 correct and tighten the girths. It need not be more than a few minutes, 

 but it is a very necessary precaution, more especially if the start is made 

 at dawn when the light is poor and some detail in saddling may have 

 escaped attention. 



Subsequently, a short halt of five to ten minutes should be made hourly 

 and every two or three hours a sufficiently long one, to off-saddle and 

 feed. If it is not possible to off-saddle, girths should be loosened and the 

 saddle just raised off the back, to relieve pressure and allow the 

 circulation of the skin to be restored. When the saddles are removed the 

 horse should be allowed to roll and the back dried. At every halt 

 stirrups should be put up to prevent accidents from catching the hind foot 

 in the iron, and each man should look round his horse and at each shoe. 



Formation. — The broadest front is the best for horses, and should be Forma- 

 adopted whenever possible. It enables every animal to see the ground tion. 

 over which he is travelling and ensures a supply of fresh air, free from 

 dust — an important consideration on a long, hot day. Where a road has 

 to be followed, the force should, so far as the military situation permits. Avoid 

 travel in small bodies, with a sufficient interval between them to allow dust, 

 dust to settle or blow away. On hot, still days, the horses in the centre 

 and rear of a long narrow column breathe an atmosphere thicker than a 

 London fog throughout the journey, and this must help materially to 

 produce fatigue " sooner than would otherwise be the case. It is most 

 important, especially when the column is a long one, to prevent the whole 

 force being affected by momentary checks which may occur in front. To 

 avoid this a short interval should be maintained between squadrons 

 whenever tactical conditions allow it. Any animal or vehicle meeting 

 with accident should be immediately drawn to the side of the road and 

 not be allowed to obstruct the passage of the remainder. 



Watering. — Horses may be watered whenever opportunity occurs, Watering, 

 especially on hot days, and there is little risk attached to their being 

 allowed to drink frequently. The usual method of watering before 

 feeding will, of course, be adhered to, but if a stream is crossed an hour 

 after feeding they may again be allowed to drink if circumstances permit 

 of the delay. Bits are to be removed when it is intended to give a full 

 watering. 



When water is scarce its issue must be carefully regulated to avoid When 

 any waste. Horses can drink from a very shallow vessel if -their water is 

 bridles are removed, and taking advantage of this fact, small quantities 

 may be poured into a shallow dish, from which they drink, the supply 



