REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. 
665 
There are many modes of feeding and management which 
give more or less soft flesh ; but that peculiar state of the 
muscular fibres which constitutes the essence of condition, is 
slowly acquired by work, under either system of stables or 
exposure. 
It is this state that enables horses to bear exposure to the 
vicissitudes of climate well, in proportion as they are adapted 
by kind and make, which gives the power of converting food 
into nourishment, and bearing work. Mr. Moorcroft, aware 
of this, like a scientific breeder, wished to introduce a par- 
ticular variety, but mistaken notions of economy have led to 
chance medley-breeding, and the consequence is, that, after 
many years breeding, we have not a variety adapted as yet to 
our purposes. 
If the cavalry horse be not worked, he is unable to perform 
what might be required, probably, at a short notice. It has 
always appeared to me bad military policy to work our irre- 
gular cavalry, as we do at all times, into condition ; the vipers 
which might turn and sting us, instead of taking out the fangs, 
throwing them out of condition, by embodying them only 
occasionally, (similar to yeomanry cavalry in England.) 
These w ill be brought fonvard in support of the exposure 
system ; but, I trust, I shall make out that the question 
is extrinsic to stables or exposure. Work! Work the regu- 
lar cavalry horse, but give him a stable, and, w T hen exposed, 
follow the practice of the natives. 
The regular cavalry horses, at this time of the year, are 
fed partly on green grass ; notoriously short of work, so that, if 
called on, casualties must occur, whether they were under 
stables or picketed in the open air. The more full of flesh 
the cavalry horse is the better, provided he has had plenty of 
w’ork, particularly if likely to undergo a protracted campaign, 
and this condition of body is sooner obtained and kept up 
under stables. If exposed, they require more food and 
clothing to keep them in comparative condition, so that it is 
not a measure of economy ; and if this be the object of the 
questions, I consider l should not be doing my duty, did I 
not strongly protest against the latter system. To expose 
European officers to lose their health, or horses to the chance 
of diminished condition, is most unwfise and ruinous. Take 
away the stables, a portion of the condition is lost, if exposed 
to wet, and feeding in wet food ; counteract it how you may, 
by masaulahs, high condition no longer exists, and then 
Shakespeare’s w T ords apply most fully , — “ You take my house 
when you do take the prop that does support my house.” 
Our horses would be then equal to those of our enemies, 
xxvi. 86 
