266 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Feeding. 



An unshod, grass-fed remount will land foot sore, and cannot even 

 walk far without risk of fever in the feet ; such should be allowed some 

 days' rest to stretch their limbs and gradually restore the healthy 

 circulation of the feet, which, from long standing still, has become weak 

 and easily overstrained. Added to this the horn of the feet is worn thin 

 and soft, and requires a little time before a shoe can be safely fitted. 

 Conditioning for such horses must be gradual. 



Feeding will naturally be regulated according to work. As much 

 food as possible should be landed with the horses. If the rations on 

 shore are different to those they have been accustomed to, the two 

 varieties can then be mixed, and the change of food made gradually, so 

 as to avoid indigestion and colic. 



Notes Regarding Shipment of Other Animals. 



Mules. Mules. — According to the height of the mules shipped, the breast and 



parting bars should be proportionately lowered. Mules may be, and 

 often are, carried in pens of three to five instead of in separate stalls ; it 

 economises room, but in hot weather they sweat greatly where their sides 

 touch, and the hair rapidly falls off, leaving a bald and sometimes sore 

 patch. If stalls are built expressly for small mules, they may be 

 proportionately shorter. 



Owing to the animals' propensity for gnawing everything, the 

 woodwork within reach of their teeth should be smeared with soft-soap, 

 and head collar chains substituted for ropes, or the latter soaked in 

 creosote. 



As regards amount of rations, mules of i4'2 may be fed as cobs, and 

 smaller sizes in proportion. 



Cattle. Cattle. — Special ships are used for the conveyance of cattle ; they are 



provided with open cement floors, drainage behind stalls, and feed 

 troughs on the deck. Owing to the fluidity of the excreta, flushing the 

 deck for drainage is not so liable to choke scuppers, and can be more 

 freely made use of. 



Camels. Camels. — If camels have come a long railway journey to the port of 



embarkation, they are sure to be stiff and cramped, and should be rested 

 previous to slinging. 



Slinging. Sli?tomg. — The camel should be made to squat, and a guy rope 



adjusted to control the head. If this is not done, the nose rope is sure 

 to be pulled on and perhaps torn out. The legs may be tied to 

 prevent rising, or a man stood on each, which is a simpler method. The 

 sling is then slipped under the animal, adjusted and rapidly hoisted. 



