MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. I4I 



driven into the water, and once afloat will follow the boat. If unwilling 



to enter, splash water on the back. Particular care is to be taken to Do not 



exert no traction on the neck-rope once the horse is swimming, or the pull on the 



nostrils will be pulled under water and the animal may be drowned, l^ead. 



For this reason the rope should be long, and the boat should be rowed 



slowly. Three or four horses can be taken across at once, if they are not 



troublesome. 



Where the crossing is not wide and free from dangers, the horses can Swimming 

 be driven in and swim across by themselves. The head ropes or snaffles horses 

 should be knotted round the neck, so that the men wading in can secure ^^o"^- 

 them as they land, and a picket boat should be placed down stream to 

 keep them from losing direction. Some horses should be kept well in 

 sight at the landing places, as an objective for those swimming, for it 

 must be remembered that the animals' range of vision is very 

 limited when the head is on a level with the water, and if they cannot 

 see something familiar to make a point at, they are apt to go down 

 stream. 



In Camp. 



Selection of Site. — Where the site of the camp has not been already Selection 

 decided, choice should be made of ground flat enough to give a level of site, 

 standing to the horses, but with sufficient natural fall to carry away storm 

 water ; sheltered by higher ground from keen winds, and while within 

 easy reach of the water supply, not draining into it, but below it. 

 Marshy ground should be avoided always, but there are occasions when 

 military conditions may preclude the avoidance of bad sites. The site 

 chosen should be cleared of stones and other material which interferes 

 with horses lying comfortably. 



Water Supply. — When a stream is the source, the watering place will Position ot 

 be below the men's drinking water, but above the washing place. It watering 

 should be as near the camp as possible but above it ; have a sound bank pl^ce. 

 and bottom ; wide approaches and exits ; be capable of watering as many 

 horses as possible, and not liable to be fouled by upstream drainage or 

 manufactories. If the bank is too steep, a ramp must be made. Steep 

 extending as far as practicable the entire length. If the bank and banks, 

 bottom are muddy, stones and gravel should be liberally used to make a Muddy 

 firm, clean standing. Watering should always commence at the lowest ?treams. 

 part of the allotted length of water, so that each succeeding batch . may catering 

 procure a clean supply by entering a pace or two higher up. In watering, should be 

 horses should be walked in single file across the river till its whole width carried 



out. 



