976 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



In Fig. 219 may be seen two roads running at the end of 

 the series of paddocks marked ' way for forage carts.' The 

 forage is conveyed in low horse trolleys by these roads, and 

 through the back gates into the various enclosures, and the 

 bales of hay and bags of oats are dropped at a convenient 

 distance along the line of troughing, as soon as the business 

 of exercise of each paddock has commenced. 



There is only one gate for horses leading into or out of 

 the depot, which may be seen indicated in Fig. 219. The 

 object of this is that if a horse gets loose escape is practi- 

 cally impossible. 



The scheme of construction is now completed so far as 

 the exercise, watering, and feeding of the animals is con- 

 cerned. For example, the 250 horses in one of the 

 paddocks are gently directed through the open gate into 

 the exercising ring by three mounted men, who follow 

 them into the track and prevent any from breaking back. 

 They carry whips for emergency, but are discouraged from 

 using them, or from shouting or exciting the horses in any 

 way. The animals have entered the ring at a tangent to it, 

 and, therefore, unchecked ; they are allowed to go round at 

 their own pace, and soon trail out into a sort of procession. 

 It is remarkable how quiet and orderly they are, even on 

 the first occasion of being so manoeuvred. 



After they have been round their half-mile track a 

 sufficient number of times, the gate of the watering en- 

 closure is opened, and the leading horses are diverted 

 through it, while the rest follow. The entrance to this 

 water enclosure is made so that the horses can go straight 

 in or out, without their pace being checked by indirect- 

 ness or narrowness of the gate. From the moment the 

 manoeuvring is started the animals must be left alone to 

 continue their way unchecked, until brought to a natural 

 standstill at the watering troughs. Here they get their fill 

 of water at a time when they may be permitted to drink 

 any amount with impunity. 



After watering, the whole of the horses are quietly 

 returned to their enclosure, travelling in a reverse direction 



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