ISO 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Nosebags. Nosebags require frequent cleaning ; they should be removed as soon 



as the horse has done feeding, and turned inside out to dry. Patterns 

 which have a wide bottom are to be preferred to narrow ones, as the 

 feed gets caked in the ends of the latter. Special large bags are used 

 where chaff or hay cake is fed, and a very useful substitute may be made 

 from a sack. 



Grazing. Gj'azing should be afforded at every opportunity, and for this 



purpose knee-hobbling is the best plan to adopt. The horses should not 

 be herded in a ring, but allowed to gradually advance over the grazing 

 ground. The horse guard should take their own horses saddled, so that 

 they can rapidly round up the mob when required. 



Grooming. Groommg. — Except for the removal of mud and dirt, horses in camp do 

 not require so much brushing as when stabled, since, owing to exposure, 

 the skin is not so active, changes in it are not so great, and scurf does not 

 accumulate so fast, whilst the slight extra greasiness which will be present 

 is a natural protection against cold. On the other hand, a good wisping 

 stimulates the general circulation, increases the output of the oil glands, 

 and produces a comfortable warmth in the skin which cannot but be 

 appreciated by the animal and always improves the appearance. 



Clothing. Clothing. — When rugs are used they should be secured round both 



breast and quarters ; the latter is especially necessary, or the sheets blow 

 over the horses' heads and may stampede them, in addition to depriving 

 them of the desired warmth. Surcingles shrink rapidly when wet, and 

 must not be strapped tightly at night or when raining ; a dewy night will 

 shrink them as much as a shower. Neglect of this precaution will cause 

 sores from the increased pressure of the pad on the back. When the 

 weather is wet but warm, the horses are better without clothing ; but if 

 the wind is bitter and the rain cold, blankets may be left on. Rain does 

 not hurt horses, the grease of the skin renders it waterproof, but if the 

 wind is cold as well, it tells on their condition, unless they get extra food. 

 Profcction from ^ueaiJier. — In cold, wet, and windy weather, horses 

 hke to stand with their tails to it, and will try and screw themselves 

 round if not so placed ; but in mild or hot weather they should be head 

 to the breeze. 



Wind screens may be easily made of turf walls or tall, wattled hurdles, 

 placed to windward of the lines, but roofed shelters of a temporary nature 

 should not be erected for this purpose unless they can be so solidly con- 

 structed as to be quite safe in any storm, or grave loss may result. 



Pi-otectioji fj-om the sim is desirable in very hot countries, and in this 

 case any light structure may be employed as shelter during the day, 

 while the horses can be constantly watched and quickly removed. At 



