SEA TRANSPORT. 257 



ensure this their diet should be of a laxative nature for twenty-four hours 

 previous to embarkation. 



Just previous to embarkation they should be watered and fed with corn, 

 and arrangement should be made that as soon as each is secured in the 

 ship's stall, hay should be given, a procedure which helps materially to keep 

 them quiet in their strange surroundings. If the embarkation is to be 

 by slinging, the times of feeding should be so arranged as to prevent 

 any animal being slung within two hours of watering. 



Shoeing. — All troop-horses are to be recently shod before embarkation. Shoeing. 

 Unshod animals land footsore, from the wearing away of the horn which 

 is softened by the constant moisture on board, and they are incapable of 

 work or of being shod immediately on arrival. A careful inspection of the 

 shoeing should be carried out immediately before embarkation and daily 

 during the voyage. 



Ship's head collars should be put on before embarking. These head Ship's 

 collars have a double head rope, one from each cheek piece, which are head 

 fastened to the rings provided on the front stanchions. It is a good plan collars, 

 to tie one to a lower ring and the other to the upper ring on the opposite 

 stanchion, allowing the animals just sufficient liberty to reach the hay net 

 and feed box, but not to bite each other. When first placed in a stall 

 some horses will try and jump out or rear up, but are prevented if tied as 

 above. 



Before embarkation begi?is it should be ascertained that the way to the Before 

 furthest stall is quite clear, that the side bars, or parting boards, are all embarka- 

 taken down and handy for replacing, and that the brows and decks offer ^^^".^ 

 secure foothold. If possible, the hay nets ready filled should be on the ^^'"^• 

 stalls. 



Foothold may be secured by coir mats, ashes, or litter. Coir mats. Foothold, 

 when thick and heavy enough to retain their position without moving or 

 wrinkling, are excellent. Thin coir matting does well if firmly secured, 

 but is not safe if loose, as it slips under the feet. 



Ashes, which are always obtamable from the engines, are excellent, 

 and should be made use of throughout the voyage for this purpose. Litter 

 is useful for scattering at the entrance of brows, as horses are used to its 

 appearance and will step on to it with confidence : it may also be used with 

 advantage to make a soft bed for them to land on Avhen slung on board ; 

 but it is rather slippery on decks, especially when new, and mats and 

 ashes are to be preferred. 



IValkijtg on board by a gangway.— A. steady and reliable horse should Walking 

 be selected to lead, and without any pause the others should follow, until ^ ^o^'"<^ 

 the whole of the troop or section is aboard. If any horse gives trouble, ^^^„^^,^„ 

 (B 10948) R ^' ^ ^- 



