Picketing the Army Horse 179 



lie down when commanded to do so. This may 

 require tact and patience. If the horse seems 

 rather obstinate, give him a few hard falls, but ca- 

 ress him when down. 



Picketing. — There are two methods of picket- 

 ing army horses, one by the low rope, lying on the 

 ground and secured by pegs, the other by the high 

 rope. In the former method the animals are secured 

 to the ground-rope by one or both heels, preferably 

 both, while in the latter method the rope is arranged 

 taut, nearly breast high, and does away with the 

 necessity for heel-ropes, which have a tendency to 

 chafe the pasterns, even though soft, pliable hobbles 

 are used. The heels, in consequence, become sore, 

 and when on the march it is very difficult to keep 

 the abrasions clean so as to give them an oppor- 

 tunity to heal (p. 375). Both methods are exten- 

 sively used. 



TRAINING SADDLE HORSES FOR SPECIAL WORK 



Polo game. — In the making of a polo pony it is 

 very important that he possess a good temper and 

 be well trained in the uses of the bit, and to the walk, 

 trot and canter. He should be taught these gaits as 

 thoroughly as the cavalry horse, for the rider's hands 

 are constantly engaged in manipulating the polo 

 stick. It is essential that the polo pony be taught 

 to lead (p. 171) with either foreleg at a given sig- 



