MANAGEMENT OF HOESES ON BOAED SHIP. 105 



The box should be opened morning and evening to 

 enable the attendant to clean it out. On other occa- 

 sions, it should be kept closed. 



During fine weather, slings should be placed under 

 the animal ; so loose as not to press against his belly, 

 when he stands up, but tight enough to enable him to 

 rest his weight on them if he chooses. If it gets at all 

 rough, the slings should be at once removed. 



If the horse be quiet, he maybe taken out, from time 

 to time, when the sea is very smooch. On no account, 

 should he be allowed to walk on the deck, if it be at all 

 wet or greasy. There is no need to groom the horse 

 beyond sponging out his eyes, nostrils, dock, &c., and 

 picking out his feet, except when the weather is so fine 

 that he can be taken out on deck ; for, accidents with 

 horses, on board ship, are very liable to occur. The 

 horse's head should be secured by means of side ropes 

 attached to the head collar. 



During hot weather, the horse should be kept 

 principally on bran and hay, with very little corn. 

 A stock of carrots should, if possible, be laid in. 



After a horse has been on board three weeks, his 

 heels and the walls of his hoofs should again be 

 lowered. 



An owner should make arrangements with the captain 

 of the ship, for help to be given by some of the crew, in 

 the event of its being required, during bad weather. 

 "Paying one's footing" on the forecastle, with liber* 

 ality, will have a good effect. 



"After landing horses from a sea voyage, it is 

 advisable to keep them for a few days in loose boxes so 

 that they may recover the use of their feet before they 



