MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. I51 



night they should be picketed in the open. The shade of trees can be 

 utiHzed if flies are not too troublesome, and the numnah or blanket may 

 be placed over the loins. 



Horses stand dry heat better than damp, and the amount of exertion Effect of 

 they are capable of undergoing in hot countries is much affected by the damp heat, 

 quantity of moisture in the atmosphere. If it is great, there is profuse 

 sweating, even when standing under cover, and over-exertion is liable to 

 bring on heat stroke. Great judgment should therefore be shown when 

 working horses under such conditions, and every opportunity given them 

 to assuage their thirst. 



Eye fri7iges are very useful, both as a protection from sun and flies. Eye 

 They may be made of lea:ther or string, and buttoned or stitched on to fringes, 

 the browband. Detachable fringes of string are the most convenient; 

 they do not get hard and curly from .exposure to sun, like the leather 

 ones, and they can be removed for cleaning. 



Stampedes. — Horses are liable to panic, and may stampede for what Stam- 

 appear to be very trivial causes. Sudden storms and noises of any pedes, 

 nature, thunder, lightning, hail, rifle shots ; the presence of loose horses, 

 especially stallions ; wild animals passing through the camp, swarms of 

 bees or flies, and grass fires in the vicinity are all known causes, but on 

 other occasions the reason has not been apparent. If a large body of 

 horses suddenly dash in one direction, probably nothing will hold them ; 

 but a strict supervision over the picketing, and the presence of the men 

 at the horses' heads, when the occasion can be foreseen, are the best 

 means of averting the disaster. The loosing of horses on the way to 

 and from the watering place is to be prohibited, and stray animals of 

 every sort should be prevented from entering the camp. 



The sanitation of the liiies demands constant attention. The natural The 

 lie of the ground should be taken advantage of to get rid of storm sanitation 

 drainage, and small clean cut drains made in suitable directions to assist in 

 its rapid removal. All rubbish should be cleared from the lines, and the 

 standings kept quite level, in order that the horses may take a proper 

 amount of rest, which they will not do if the ground is very uneven. For 

 this purpose the free use of sand will be found of advantage ; it fills in 

 the hollows which are inevitable when the camp is occupied for any time, 

 soaks up urine and keeps the lines dry. Dung and other refuse is to be Dung 

 removed regularly, and to a considerable distance from the lines, as it heaps, 

 attracts flies, and is one of their favourite breeding places. The refuse 

 pits or heaps should be down stream from the camp, to avoid any chance 

 of contammating the water supply, and for similar reasons, the disposal Carcases, 

 of dead animals is to be carried out in the same direction. 



of the 

 lines. 



