Memorandum from Major Marvin Gates

Hdqrs. 3nd. Bn. 129th. F.,A. 11 th January 1919. MEMORANDUM:- 733 At inspection yesterday by the Corp and Army Inspectors of antimal transport showed many things which should be remedied: 1. An officer from each organization will be present at the watering of his animals and will see that this is done in an orderly and efficient manner, particular care being taken that animals are not hurried in drinking. Each organization will be wtered as an organization, animals will ribe led out in column. The order of watering will be F Battery, D Battery today, E Battery, Supply Company ( D and E Batteries will alternate from day to day as being second in the line, ) No man will ride to water, all horses will be led by men on foot, at least one man to each two animals. 2. General Orders provide that each animal shall be supplied with a hay rack. Feed boxes will be inspected and where necessary repaired and straighten up. Immediate steps will be taken to comply wi th these requirements. General Orders also provide that the Chaft shall be shaken out of all hay, the chaft perserved mixed with the oats and fied to the animals. The Stable Sergeant assisted by a permanent detail will attend to all feeding under the superyision of an officer. Particurlar 3. care will be taken that each animal receives his proper proportion of grain and forage, (attention is called to Army Regulations Cs which do not provide as large a grain ration as for mules as for horses.) A small ration of hay should be feed before each feeding of oats. The Major part of the hay ration being feed in the evening. 3. Stable police will be constantly on duty to remove droppings, as they fall. Immediate steps will be taken to improve the footing of animals. General Orders provide that picket lines shall be established and in good weather the animals tied outside on the picket lines and the stables allowed to dry and air. 4. A shoeing record and schedule will be started at once. In order to provide regular shoeing for each animal. In order to accomplish this it will be necessary to number the animals serially and immediate steps will be taken to accomplish this. 5. Inspectors report that regulations provide that all metal parts of harness should be brighten. Considerable ingenuity will be required to accomplish this with the means at hand. Immediate steps will be taken toward the caring out of this provision. 6. An officer will be present at all stables and water calls and feeding, and will be responsible that all regulations and provision are cared out. 7. In case there are animals which are in poorer condition than the others, peecial pains will,be takennin their care grooming and feeding, they will be alloted a slight increase in feed, by if necessary very slightly decreasing the ration or each animal which is in good condition. Manimatitates Marvin H gates. Major 129th. F. A. Comd¹g 2nd. Bn. Most horses are tied toolong. Horses should be tied so that they will have two feet of free halter-shank - in the day time, and just long enough so that can lie down comfortably at night.