animal 

 endure 

 thirst best. 

 Avoid 



138 ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



being regulated by the animal's rate of swallowing. It is a plan adopted 

 by some regiments of Indian Cavalry, and may be conveniently employed 

 where water is carried in skins or small tanks. A very small quantity 

 will revive overtaxed horses and it should be given in repeated little 

 rations rather than in one long draught. When the amount is very scanty, 

 say a pint or less, it is best to offer the exact quantity to each in turn 

 rather than to risk a large bucketful, as the first-comers are sure to get 

 an undue proportion and may upset it in their eagerness. On one 

 occasion during the campaign for the relief of Khartoum the Syrian horses 

 of the 19th Hussars received no water for fifty-five hours and twenty of 

 them for seventy hours. On another occasion when much exhausted and 

 thirty-five miles from water, less than one pint per horse was available. 

 This was mixed with meal into a number of soft balls, which revived 

 Native them, and they accomplished the remainder of the journey the next 

 morning. In regard to this particular point it must be noted that thirst 

 is better endured in hot climates by animals which are native to them, 

 a fact which should be remembered when selecting for arduous duties, 

 water When marching at home, public watering troughs should be avoided 



troughs. owing to the risk of contagious disease being introduced. 

 Feeding. Feedm^ on the march in peace and war are very different matters. In 



Conditions P^^ce, whether at home or abroad, there is the certainty of receiving a 

 of peace sufficient ration at stated intervals, and practically no thought is required 

 and war from officer or man in connection with its provision ; but in war the 

 compared, conditions are entirely changed and demand special attention, for while 

 a mounted soldier's chief weapon is his horse, it is also the most 

 difficult to keep in working order on service. For a man accustomed 

 throughout his life to the care of horses, more particularly in a new or 

 uncivilized country, it is a matter of simple routine to provide for his 

 horse's wants at every possible opportunity ; it becomes automatic with 

 him to think for his horse ; but the average soldier has not had such 

 training and experience, and unless it is thoroughly drilled into him that 

 he must think of and for his horse on all occasions, the latter is apt to 

 suffer. 

 Provision It is in the matter of fodder that the difficulty of providing sufficient 



of fodder horse rations is likely to be felt oftenest ; corn may be supplied with 

 attention ^^^ijlarity, but hay or other fodder is very bulky, and its punctual issue 

 cannot be relied upon. Every mounted man should be made fully aware 

 of his duty to his horse in this respect. Standing crops of all descrip- 

 tions provide excellent fodder, and should not be passed without the 

 horse being catered for ; while, if circumstances permit, a sufficient 

 quantity should be carried, to provide for the next halt. Opportunities 



