972 YETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



the horses, it is no use sending remounts to the seat of 

 war. 



There is only one scheme of construction and organiza- 

 tion which is economically possible ; it must provide — 



1. For the reception of a ship-load of animals, their 

 inspection, and sorting. 



2. It must afford these animals the needful rest and 

 comfort after a tiring journey by sea or rail. 



3. It must provide for the watering, feeding, and exercise 

 of a very large number of horses, with a minimum amount 

 of labour. 



4. It must insure that the three above essentials in 

 horse management are carried out with regularity and 

 precision. 



5. It must embrace a system by which animals are 

 ' conditioned ' after their voyage, with a minimum amount 

 of labour and a maximum of efficiency, and their feet got 

 in thorough order. 



6. It must be a system which admits of facilities for the 

 detection of disease, inspection of individual horses, and 

 their isolation. 



The scheme to be described is one by which the horses 

 are practically taught to look after themselves ; only a 

 small number of attendants are required (which is of 

 immense advantage on service where every man is required 

 for the fighting line), and the horses are thoroughly well 

 done. Any scheme which admits of 1,000 horses being 

 exercised, watered, and fed, in less than an hour by 48 

 men, is one deserving of attention. 



Before describing how this is brought about, it is desirable 

 that the mainspring of the whole mechanism be examined, 

 and on this point let it be at once said that what is about 

 to be described is no theoretical or fanciful scheme, but one 

 actually used for more than two years during a campaign, 

 in which time it dealt with over 50,000 horses, or a daily 

 average of over 2,000. 



Two years afforded ample time to elaborate and perfect 

 the system employed, and this is mentioned for the reason 



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