Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
HORSES ENDURANCE.


Italian Army Officers.
In view OF the recent exhibition in San Fran
cisco Of the endurance OF horses as compared with
men, an experiment made by some italian OIL
GERS In something OF the same way win be Of In
tereSt.
In November last trial march on horseback
cavalry regiment, in the italian army for the
purpose of ascertaining the lasting powers of
their chargers when not specially prepared by
previous training. and also with view to OBJ
tanning some Information as to the best pace at
which to proceed when on long journey, the
number and duration of the halts which should
should have, &C. In an occasional paper, pub
Eshed In the last number of the Journal or the
Royal United Se1rtce Institution, a translation OF
the diary kept by the officers during their ride is
are too long to be reproduced and can hardly be
followed without map or an intimate acquaint-
of the conclusions arrived at from the expert
cnce gained during the ride may be useful
The task which the officers set themselves was
n To IL
along roads generally good, but In some few
places muddy and with deep ruts. The season
was November, when 1t must be remembered,
the days are short; but the weather, on the
whole, though cold, was fine, one afternoon and
one forenoon only being rainy. Under these
circumstances It was found best to start at day
break and to endeavor to reach the hating place
for the night by sunset; both In order that the
horses might be able to rest the entire night
and also because it was found that the horses,
having to walk guardedly and with care after
darkness set In, were much more fatigued by a
stage during the night than by one of the same
length taken by daylight.
on the road during a protracted ride are also
bad. One or two short haltS OF only few min
uteS' duration should be made during the earlier
part OF each days Journey; and then, when two,
halt should be made for as long time as is con-
sistent with arriving at the end Of the stage be-
fore ntghtfal. During this third halt the horses
should be fed, the food being given as soon as
the regular functions OF the respiratory organs
have begun; while in order to assist digestion it
is well to lead the horse for mile or two when
the journey Is recommended. Thirteen pounds
OF corn and from 81 pounds tOSk pounds Of hay
were found to be sufficient daily ration for
each horse during the march In the morning
a small feed of hay and a taste of chilled water
with little flour and salt In 1T and AZ pounds
OF corn were given. At the halt during the
march the same amount Of water and food were
pounds Of co n and at the end Of the day
moderate amount OF hay, plenty of water given
In two portions,) and 40 pt unds Of corn. on
arriving in their stables the horses were always
well wisped, even though they came in dry, and
half an hour afterwards the gfrthS were loos-
ened. When the hating place for the night was
reached the saddles We're taken off shortly after
the girths were loosened, and the legs, should
ers, and lOinS OF the horses were rubbed with
spirits OF camphOr. The average rate OF march
ing during. the journey was between five and
five end half miles an hour; but the opinions
OF the riders differ materially as to the frequency
and consequently as to the length OF the inter-
walls OF trotting. Ten minutes at walk and ten
at a trot alte nately, which appears to answer
best for orr mary marches, seems bad in longer
journeys. Perhaps with the majority Of horses
1t may be said that a twenty minutes walk fol
lowed by ten minutes trOt will be found good
pace to adopt for long march. Fifty miles for
several successive days is as much as should be
atteml ted. Although some young, well-bred,
and well-shaped animals may be able to do more
than this distance for many days together for
the great majority OF horses it is too much; they
lose vigOr, and become unit for immediate use
alter the usual rest,