MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. I43 



these reasons should not exist ; standing quietly under any form of Horses 

 restraint which is likely to be imposed on a troop horse, being an should be 

 essential part of a remount's training, and before his first experience of gt'^'^f 

 camp life, he should be accustomed to head and heel ropes, foot- quietly, 

 shackles, knee-haltering, linking, and standing alone. It is quite a 

 simple matter of training, but if not taught before arrival in camp, 

 a crop of perfectly avoidable accidents is the assured result. On 

 peace manoeuvres, where horses are all well-fed and not overworked, 

 there will always be a certain number of attempts to kick or bite, either 

 in play or from vice ; both are equally serious in results, and the horse 

 must be so secured as to prevent damage. On service, horses are 

 usually too overworked and underfed to give much trouble in this 

 respect, and are also more accustomed to the mode of life. The great How 

 majority of injuries occur from the head and heel ropes being too long injuries 

 and slack, and in practice this apparently simple matter requires ^^^i^'^- 

 constant attention and supervision. 



Picket lilies may consist of a single long rope, or the " built-up " Picket 

 rope, a portion of which is carried by each man, and in either case they |j"^^' 

 must be kept quite taut. They may be stretched along the ground, ^ "^J" "P 

 or at a height of three to four feet from it. When heel ropes are not ^^^ ", 



air 



used, the latter is the better plan, as it prevents horses steppmg over jjj 

 the line, and twisting their head ropes. The ends should be tied firmly 

 to trees or wagon wheels, and kept as taut as possible. In standing 

 camps a double set of lines, or a double set of heel-pegs on either side Double 

 of the picket line should be arranged for. This permits a change of lines, 

 standing when the ground is soiled or worn, and will be found a great 

 convenience. 



Head a?td heel ropes. — The head rope. First method of attaching to Head 

 the head collar : Pass the point of the rope through the lower ring of the ^°P?^' 

 backstrap of the head-collar, then through the ring at the end of the methods of 

 head rope, and draw taut. Second method : Tie the head rope on to the ^^^^"^S- 

 picket line securely, and the correct length. Taking the ringed end, pass 

 a loop- of the rope through the lower ring of the backstrap of the head- 

 collar ; slip the ring of the head rope through this loop, and draw the 

 rope tight. This method does not slip, and can be released quickly, 

 leaving the rope secure to the picket line \ it also ensures the head rope 

 being the correct length. 



Any knot by which the head rope is fastened to the picket line must Attach- 

 be perfectly secure, and capable of being rapidly cast loose. The -knot "^^l^*^ to 

 figured below has been employed with success. Tie the free end of the ^^^^^^ 

 head rope round the picket line in a half-bow (fig. 21), then pass the loop ^ " 



