REPORT OP CAPT. GEORGE B. M'CLELLAN. 219 



The stables and riding halls are ample, and well arranged. 



The riding in the open air is performed on a drill ground some distance from the town ; here 

 they leap ditches, hurdles, &c., fire with the carbine and pistol, run at the heads, &c. 



The annexed sketch explains the manner of attacliing the head to the post ; it 

 avoids the necessity of keeping a man at the post to replace the head. The head is 

 shaped as in the figure, and is partly covered with leather ; at A it is secured by a 

 leather thong, so that when struck it moves around that point as a hinge, and is 

 stopped by the triangular piece of wood, B ; it thus resumes its first position. They 

 cut at balls on the ground on the right, never on the left. 

 The pupils are taught to vault on and ofi" the horse at a gallop. Their time is fully occupied 

 by constant exercises during the day. 



The usual continental system of employing kickers is followed here ; for this purpose two or 

 three horses are taught to kick and plunge in every possible way, when tied up close to two posts ; 

 the recruits are mounted on these, without stirrups, and hold on, if they can, by means of a 

 couple of strajjs attached to the pommel. 



The system pursued in breaking young horses is one of extreme care and gentleness ; violent 

 measures are never resorted to ; considerable attention is paid to rendering the muscles of the 

 head and neck pliable, in order to gain full control over the horse ; this must not be understood 

 as indicating approbation of the Baucher system, which here, as well as elsewhere, has been 

 tried, and found to be unfit for cavalry purposes. 



THE VETERINARY SCHOOL AT BERLIN. 



At this institution about 80 pupils are instructed as farriers and veterinaries for the army, in 

 addition to a number of civilian pupils. 



It is very similar to the veterinary school at Vienna, already described under the head of the 

 Austrian cavalry ; but not quite so extensive, and perhaps not so perfect. 



It has lecture and dissecting rooms, operating halls, museums of comparative anatomy, &c. 



The stables accommodate about 80 horses, and are arranged for from 4 to 6 horses in each 

 division. 



The interior arrangement of the stables presents nothing peculiar, except that there is but one 

 row of stalls in each. There are boxes, in separate stables, for glandered horses. The Russian 

 steam bath is used in the establishment, but it is stated that the result is not generally beneficial ; 

 it has been applied in cases of rheumatism, colic, &c. 



The horse-shoeing department is under a special instructor. The shoes and tools present 

 nothing new or worthy of imitation, both being heavy and awkward. 



The shoes have no groove, but the nail holes are countersunk ; there are four nails on each 

 side ; four sizes of shoes are used in the cavalry. 



The method of shoeing is similar to that pursued in Austria : one man holding the horse, 

 another his leg, a third putting on the shoe. 



A vice is made use of in teaching the pupils to set and nail on a shoe ; the hoof and pastern 

 of a horse recently deceased are placed in this vice, which is attached to a bench, and so 

 ai'ranged as to admit of being thrown into various positions. 



Cows, pigs, dogs, and cats, are treated in this institution. The horses of civilians are cured 

 and shod upon moderate terms, in order to secure the necessary amount of practice for the 

 pupils. 



The Prussian military literature is very rich, and is well worthy of study. 



