MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN.. 149 



(3) K72ee halterino. — The head rope is carried from the lower ring of Knee 

 the backstay of the head collar to the forearm just above the knee, where haltering, 

 it is tied just tight enough to prevent it slipping down the leg. The best 



knot for the purpose is a clove hitch, with a half hitch as a keeper, to stop 

 it slipping. With horses accustomed to the method, the rope maybe tied 

 loosely below the knee, or round the pastern. The length of rope required 

 is enough to let the horse get his mouth on the ground and no more. 

 Even with this small amount of liberty, some can travel at a surprising 

 pace when being caught. Knee haltering is the best method of securing 

 horses at graze, and they are easily accustomed to the restraint it entails, 

 though they may resent it at first. 



(4) Hobbles may be used to connect a fore and hind, or both forelegs, Hobbles, 

 the amount of movement possible being regulated by the length of the 



rope connecting the hobbles. 



Thin horses should be placed at the end of the line next the Thin 

 forage. Worses. 



Vicious animals are better apart from others, as they disturb them when Vicious 

 feeding and resting. Sacks of sand may be tied to the heel ropes of animals, 

 kickers in lieu of pegs, and this sometimes stops the habit. 



Cribbcrs should be secured by a foot shackle only, so that they have Cribbers. 

 .nothing to bite upon. 



Feeding. — The general principles of feeding should be adhered to as Feeding, 

 far as circumstances allow, and the special notes on feeding on the march 

 are also applicable to life in camp (see p. 138) ; it is only necessary here 

 to add details not previously given. 



Hay. — The use of hay nets should be universal ; without them, hay, Hay nets, 

 always wasteful, becomes doubly so in wet and windy weather. The 

 mesh should be such a size that a small quantity only can be pulled out at 

 once, and they should be secured to the picket line by each end. If nets 

 are not to be had, hay should be fed in small quantity, and frequently 

 renewed, each fresh supply being tucked under the picket line. This is 

 very necessary in prolonged wet weather, and if the rain is not con- 

 tinuous, it is better to withhold hay altogether till the shower is over. 



To avoid waste, trusses of hay should only be broken as they are 

 actually required, and should be carried to the horses before this is done. 

 The tilt of a wagon may be used for mixing feeds and for covering the 

 forage when not in use. 



Chaff should be used as much as possible when it can be got. The Chaff, 

 place where it is chopped must be well protected from wind, by sod 

 banks, hurdles, or tarpauhn stretched round posts. If the hay supply is 

 large the trusses can be arranged round the chaff machine for this purpose. 



