SEA TRANSPORT. 261 



Swimming"), and gently lowered into the water. The sling is detached 

 and the neck rope handled from a boat. It is possible also to swim 

 horses ashore without guiding them, but in such a case it is necessary for 

 picquet boats to be stationed in order to prevent them swimming out to 

 sea. When in the water a horse's range of vision is so limited that he 

 cannot see a shelving beach till very close to it, and some horses should 

 be kept at the landing point to attract the attention of the swimmers. 



Management on Board. 



As soon as the last horse is on board the ship should be got under 

 way, and all previous arrangements with regard to embarkation should 

 be made so as to admit of this being done. It is not of such great 

 importance in a cold climate, but in warm countries the distress entailed 

 by the heat in a stationary ship is very great and should be avoided. For 

 the same reason, if on reaching the destination it is found that the horses 

 cannot be landed immediately, the vessel should not anchor, but be kept 

 on the move to secure better ventilation and cooler air. 



Ventilation and exercise.— \)\ix\Vi<g the voyage the two points which Ventila- 

 demand the greatest attention from all concerned are ventilation and tion and 

 exercise. On the amount of ventilation and exercise together which it is exercise, 

 possible to give depends the condition (not fatness) in which the horses 

 land. The means by which they may be obtained have been previously 

 described; it remains only to note that a constant inspection of every 

 ventilator, outlet and inlet, is necessary. Sufficient and free exits for 

 foul air are as important as entrances for a fresh supply. Canvas wind- 

 sails must be constantly observed and kept free of all obstructions. 

 Exercise and the mucking out of stalls should if possible be carried out 

 together, half the men being employed on each duty alternately ; weather 

 permitting, exercise for each horse of a unit should be continued as long 

 as possible ; it means additional work, and men should be thoroughly 

 taught the reason for its necessity and that their future success and safety 

 may depend upon the condition of the horses on landing. 



Where a portion of the deck has been specially arranged for exercise 

 and horses can walk two abreast, this work is greatly facilitated, 



Sa7iitation.—i:\\\% includes the mucking out of the stalls and cleansing Sanita- 

 and disinfection of the decks. On transports carrying units it should be tion. 

 done thoroughly, daily ; but on remount ships with a limited number of 

 attendants this may not be feasible. It should, however, be done as often 



