FOR HORSE-COMFORT 197 



back. It may be necessary to hobble or even 

 picket one of them as a precaution, or if they 

 lack water to hobble all who cannot be 

 picketed. If any animal is to be hobbled or 

 tied up, the mare comes first. 



In forest, where horses are ill at ease, 

 especially if pasture is scanty, I hang a bell to 

 the neck of every horse, and camp at some spot 

 where the back trail can be fenced, then sleep 

 against the gate. On some occasions I have 

 watched all night. 



Where flies are bad, it is kindly to bank a fire 

 with damp herbage which makes a smoke in 

 which the horses can shelter. It is in forest 

 and fly country that one has greatest need of a 

 few feeds of oats in the pack, or even slung to 

 the saddles. 



If a horse is sweating and exhausted, I rub 

 him down with whiskey or any other form of 

 alcohol, because its rapid evaporation cools 

 and refreshes him. A httle alcohol rubbed on 

 the part heated by the saddle enables one to 

 feed grain even in short halts. 



For cold and exhaustion I give sugar, if 

 possible in the water. The carbon is fuel 

 which enters the blood, and so becomes ex- 

 posed to oxygen in the lungs, where its burning 

 produces the heat which warms the body. 



