r was Equerry to H.M. the
Emperor, and is author of a well-known work on equitation.]

We must exercise our powers of selection, and find the best method to
meet the idiosyncrasies of each man and each horse, always keeping in
mind the aim to be obtained. What we want are horses that can use
their back muscles, especially in the gallop, with pliable necks,
light on the hand, able to turn easily, and safe across country (with
special reference to rat-holes, etc., not fences), that do not refuse
to quit the ranks, and are not headstrong. To reach this aim with our
material, our present riding instructions applied in their spirit, not
their letter, are for the present, I think, a sufficiently firm
foundation.

A higher standard of riding alone will not, however, suffice. We have
seen that modern War makes also increased demands on the endurance of
the horses, and, in fact, in two directions: first, on their marching
power, and secondly, on their capacity to execute the long gallops at
the regulation pace which are indispensable for the manoeuvring of
large masses and of attacks against modern firearms. That a thorough
physical preparation of the horse increases indirectly its endurance
has been already pointed out, and when exceptional exertions are
called for, breeding plays a great part; but great as is the influence
of these two factors, the ultimate foundation on which the endurance
of our horses depends is the general 'condition' of the animal, and
this again is a consequence of the quality of his food and his
'training,' used here in the same sense as in a racing stable. I lay
special stress on this question of food, because great demands, both
in the way of covering long distances and on the drill ground, can
only be met without injury to the horses if they are supplied with a
sufficient quantity of nourishment, and our peace-time ration is
undoubtedly too small to satisfy this condition. No regiment could
maintain itself always at the high pitch of condition we have
undoubtedly attained if it did not have recourse to all manner of
expedients to increase, at any rate for the time, the amount of the
ration. Of these expedients there are quite an imposing number, and
since, however desirable an increase of the ration may be, we are not
likely to obtain it, it seems to me well worth while to develop them
to the utmost.

How this is to be done will depend mainly on the local conditions of
each garrison. The