INTRODUCTION. Vll 



Ilorsemastership in war is one of these accomplish- 

 ments, and it is one for which it is worth our while 

 to sacrifice a good deal in peace, if we honestly 

 desire to possess it. 



In war, one of the greatest crimes which a man 

 can commit, is to neglect his horse, and, it is one 

 for which he must receive the most exemplary 

 punishment. A man who gives a horse a sore back 

 from want of care must he invariably " crimed." 

 An officer whose troo]) or squadron show an undue 

 proportion of poor, sick, and lame horses, always 

 having regard to the work done, had much better 

 be sent to some branch of the service, where 

 neglect of horses will not matter 



The first thought, consideration, and anxiety of 

 an officer commanding mounted men, must be for 

 his horses. As Yon Hoenig says : — Generals are 

 too apt to forget that in tactics and strategy as far 

 as mounted troops go, they must reehm with the 

 liorxea, their stamina, food supply, and riding. 



