582 NOTES ON AUSTRIAN ARTILLERY. 
I have seen troop stables in America where the horses were stabled 
on wood floors, slightly sloped to the rear, without litter of any sort 
with most satisfactory results, as far as cleanliness. 
The daily ration consists of — 
OBS, oo. ies Ye i kilos. = 172 Ibs. 
Sinan, aise cob Oe 
Hay, wheelers, ten eo sslO ,,. mezhy, 
;, other horses, és ee eee 
In winter the wheelers and any other horses which carry heavy 
coats are clipped and blanketted up. 
The harness struck one as being particularly light and simple, at 
the same time very serviceable. 
The traces of flat leather, 1} inches wide with some 8 feet of twisted 
rope at the far end, are secured 1 in front to a large staple on the hames 
by a triangular D, one side of which consists of a movable pin secured 
by a tie. "To the rope end, in the case of leaders, is attached a rope 
trace, which, passing through a suspending loop on the centre horse’s 
fittings, fastens to one of the pole swingle-trees—thus each horse has 
a direct pull on the carriage. The traces of the centre horses are 
similarly attached. The wither strap of the off horse is fastened to a 
leather strap 14 inches wide, which rests along the horse’s back, 
sufficiently far to support the traces and hip straps—there being no 
crupper. Belly-bands are of leather. The harness of the wheelers is 
similar, except that there is in addition a light breeching, which is 
neened on each side to the trace, about half way up, and suspended 
from the back strap. 
The pole strap is attached to a broad leather strap, which goes 
across the front of the collars, fastened at either end to the same D as 
the traces. 
The pole is about 15 feet long—the method of coupling throughout 
consists of a ring on one part and a pin on a chain on the other, the 
pin being put through the ring from above. 
The riding horses have a bit rein and the off horses a bridoon lead- 
ing rein and side rein. ‘The stirrups have flat bars. A folded blanket 
is carried under the saddle, which is roomy and well padded, with a 
flap about 3 inches projecting round the soft seat. The cloak and 
mess-tin are carried in rear, and in front are 2 saddle-bags containing 
change of linen, stable head-collar and cleaning traps. The leather is 
blackened, also the hames—the remainder of the iron work, of which 
there is little, being kept bright. 
The guns are of bronze, 9 centimetres (slightly over 3°5 inches). 
Three gunners ride on the limber, two on the axletree seats. The 
axletree and limber seats are well padded and have a broad support- 
ing strap—that on the limber is a foot from the rear, along which 
runs a net some 18 inches high, between it and the strap the mens’ 
great-coats are stowed, their kits being carried on the wagon. ‘There 
is a tire brake worked by a wheel in front. The handspike is always 
carried shipped; the pin-tail being on a semicircular iron band pro- 
jecting two feet behind the limber on which the back flap rests when 
