2-89. Feeding pack animals away from garrison in a field or combat environment presents problems that are not present in garrison. The greatest problem is setting a regular schedule of feeding times. The hours that animals work in the field or under combat conditions are seldom the same every day. Therefore, to adhere to the principles outlined above, the animals must be fed smaller rations at more frequent intervals. It is very important to ensure every animal is fed a full ration every day to maintain the strength required to work in the field.
2-90. Due to logistic constraints, there may not be enough hay available to ensure the animal receives the required roughage. In this case, the animal must be allowed to graze at every opportunity to obtain sufficient roughage.
Grazing should be allowed while at a bivouac location and at halts while on the march. A halt of an hour or more to feed grain should be planned if the duration of the movement will exceed 5 hours. Important points to consider when feeding in the field are covered below.
WATERING ON THE MARCH
2-91. Watering on the march should be done whenever possible, especially on hot days. When watering a string of animals on the move, such as at a stream crossing, the handler should allow the entire string to get in the water before letting any of the animals drink. Otherwise, the lead animals will
drink and then try to move down the trail before the rest of the animals in the string have a chance to drink. The handler must watch to ensure all animals have a chance to drink before moving the string. He should angle the string upstream so the animals ahead do not foul the water. The handler should give the animals ample time to drink their fill and not be led away the first time they raise their heads. After watering, he should keep the animals at a walk for 10 to 15 minutes before increasing the gait or coming to a long halt. This action will prevent digestive disturbances.
FEEDING HALTS
2-92. The handler should try to plan the place for a feeding halt 2 or 3 miles past a watering point. He should give the animals a little hay after arriving at the feeding point and tying them to the high line. This procedure will help relax the animals and start the secretion of the gastric fluids.
FEEDING AT BIVOUAC
2-93. When it is necessary to feed and water at a bivouac location, the handler should wait at least 45 minutes after arrival to water the animals.
He removes the bits if a full watering will be allowed. When watering at the bivouac location, the handler should lead the animals to the water on foot. He should lead no more than two animals at a time. When they drink, he should stand between the animals so they do not crowd each other. As stated before, the animals should receive ample time to drink and should not be led away from the water the first time they raise their heads. The animals should go to the water and leave the water together. Handlers should closely watch that the animals do not start pawing the water or lie down in it after being watered, as they often do. These actions will stir sediment on the bottom and make the water unfit to drink by other animals.
FEEDING OFF THE GROUND
2-94. Whenever possible, the handler should keep animals from feeding off the ground. As they eat off the ground, they pick up dirt and sand. The sand or dirt will accumulate in the colon. With time the animals will develop colic due to obstruction or they will develop diarrhea due to irritation. Feeding off the ground also causes premature wear of their teeth. For animals that are predisposed to forming sharp points and hooks, this will accelerate their development and subsequently degrade the animal’s ability to eat.
WATER SHORTAGES
2-95. When water is scarce, its consumption will have to be regulated. If the bits are removed, animals can drink from a very shallow container. A small quantity will let an animal keep moving if he is given the water by the swallow instead of allowing him to take one long draft.
FEEDING HAY
2-96. When the animals are on a high line, the handler should break the hay from the bales and distribute it along the high line. The hay should be given in small quantities and replenished frequently. This procedure is especially important in damp climates or while it is raining. Moldy hay should never be
given. As mentioned before, cattle can eat moldy hay without problems, but horses and mules cannot. The handler should break the bales of hay apart and distribute only as needed. Personnel should ensure the animals do not work the hay beneath them where they cannot get to it. The handler should place the hay flakes directly under the animal’s head at the point where the animal’s lead line is attached to the high line.
FEEDING GRAIN
2-97. When feeding grain in the field, the handler should feed the animals from a feed bag and ensure the feed bags fit properly. If they are too loose, the animals will toss their heads trying to get to the feed, and grain will be spilled and wasted. Personnel should watch the animals while they are feeding from a feed bag, and should never allow the animals access to water until they have finished eating and the feed bags are removed. While attempting to drink, the animals could get the feed bag filled with water and drown. Any leftover feed should be spread on a cloth to dry. The feed can then be used for the next feed.
Grain should not be spread on the ground for the animals to eat. When the animals eat the grain, they also ingest dirt that can lead to colic. Any grain spilled on the ground in front of the animals should be swept. Figure 2-5 shows another method of feeding grain and commercial alfalfa cubes to the animal. If the handler is not using a feed bag, he can place about a 3-inch flake of hay on the ground with the grain placed on top of the flake. This method will keep the grain off the ground and keep the animals from ingesting dirt.
Figure 2-5. Grain on Flaked Hay
FEEDING ALFALFA CUBES
2-98. Foraged cubes are gaining popularity as an alternative to feeding long-stem hay (Figure 2-6). The cubes available may be 100-percent alfalfa, a mixture of alfalfa and grasses, or a mixture of alfalfa and whole corn plant.
Alfalfa cubes can be used in feeding programs to replace a portion or all of the forage that animal handlers would feed their animals. They have high nutrient values for energy, protein, calcium, and vitamins. As with any feedstuff, there are advantages and disadvantages that the handler must consider when making the decision to use alfalfa cubes in his feeding program (Figure 2-7, page 2-28).
Figure 2-6. Commercial Alfalfa Cubes