TAKING HORSES ON BOARD. 373 



greater when the ship is rolling than when she is pitching; 

 horses should be put athwart-ship, and not fore and aft. 



For a voyage up to, say, ten days' duration, no special 

 preparation of the 'animal is required ; supposing that the 

 management on board will be carried out according to correct 

 principles. If the journey be considerably longer, as for 

 instance to India or the Cape of Good Hope, it is well, at 

 least three weeks before sailing, to lower the heels and put on 

 tips, so as to strengthen the soles and frogs with the view of 

 these parts having to bear weight ; and to cool the animal 

 down by green food. Reducing the slope of the hoofs by 

 means of a rasp is advisable under the circumstances in 

 question ; because it takes pressure off the toes to some 

 extent, and thus diminishes the danger of laminitis. It is as 

 a rule better to leave on the shoes than to let the horse go 

 barefoot, in which case he would be apt to break or unduly 

 wear down the wall of the hoofs by pawing and other uneasy 

 movements ; and it is not always possible to find a capable 

 blacksmith on landing. As the horse will have to do a good 

 deal of standing, it is of course necessary that his legs and 

 feet should be in a healthy condition. 



A horse should be kept without water and food, for, say, 

 four hours before taking him on board, in which case a drink 

 and a feed soon after he has been shipped, will help to 

 reconcile him to his new place of abode. Besides, when his 

 stomach and intestines are comparatively empty, he will not 

 be so liable to be injured, in the event of mishap, as he would 

 be if they were full, especially if he is to be slung. He should 

 wear a particularly strong head-collar, provided with two 

 strong ropes as leading reins. A bridle (snaffle) is necessary 

 only when he is to be walked on board. 



Taking a horse on board is usually effected by walking him 

 from the quay or jetty into the vessel ; by putting him into a 

 box and lifting it over the side by means of a crane ; or by 



