I40 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Horses 

 towed 

 after 

 boats. 



While, however, such articles may help in emergency, horses cannot 

 maintain condition without sufficient bulk of food, and constant effort 

 must be made to provide fodder of any description, in addition to grain 

 rations. 



During peace in all marches of five hours it is advisable to feed once 

 e?i route, if possible immediately after the horses have had a good drink. 

 The bit being removed, the nosebag is to be buckled well up, to allow 

 the horse to reach the feed easily and prevent him tossing his head 

 and spilling the grain. Half-way through the feed it may require 

 readjusting for the same reason. Horses that toss their heads 

 persistently should have the top of the bag tightened round the face 

 by a rubber, cord, or strap, to prevent waste. When the horse ceases 

 to feed he should be allowed to graze and the nosebag is to be turned 

 inside out to dry. 



Great care is to be taken to secure the mouths of all nosebags so that 

 the contents may not be spilt on the way. 



Swimming horses. — The horse is a pow^erful natural swimmer, and is 

 capable of bearing a fully equipped man for a considerable distance. 

 When afloat, the head is the only part visible, the body being just below 

 the surface, and the tail awash behind. 



If the rider remains mounted, his weight sinks the horse's body lower 

 and he is himself immersed half way up the body at least. Swimming 

 mounted requires a capable horseman, who should be a good swimmer 

 himself. Before riding in, it is well to remove the portmouth bit if one 

 is worn, and in guiding the horse when under way it is better to splash 

 the side of his face and so head him up or down rather than pull on 

 the reins. 



Generally both men and horses are stripped and the kit ferried over 

 dry. In this case the reins should be knotted, so that they will not 

 entangle the forelegs when swimming. The men ride into the water 

 till the horses are out of their depth and then slip off on the down stream 

 side, holding to the mane or tail, and are towed over. The free hand is 

 used to splash the horses' heads and make them keep their direction. 

 According to the strength of the current, they should be headed more or 

 less up stream, or they will be carried below the intended landing place. 

 To guard against this, the place where the water is entered should be 

 well up stream, and the landing should be wide, or a second suitable 

 place should be available a little lower down. 



If the horses are to be towed after boats, a rope is passed round the 

 upper part of the neck and tied, with a knot which does not slip, just 

 tight enough to prevent it coming over the head. The animal is then 



