Cannoneers of field-batteries should always walk up and down hill.
The care of horses on the march is one of the most important duties of an artillery officer; by constant attention on the part of the captain, chiefs of platoon, and chiefs of section many horses that would otherwise be disabled for months may be kept in serviceable condition.
The men must not be allowed to lounge in their saddles, which leads to galls, and the drivers should be made to pay continual attention to their driving, and see that every horse does his fair share of work.
The lead-drivers of each team must keep their distance from the team in their front; swing-drivers must keep the traces to their front stretched, and the wheel-drivers those to their front.
Have the wheels greased daily, and oil the bearing of the lunette on the pintle-hook.
Grease on the soles of horses' hoofs prevents snow from balling.
On starting from camp the first two miles should be made at an easy walk; a halt of from 10 to 15 minutes should then be made to allow the men to relieve themselves and to rearrange harness, after which a halt of from 5 to 10 minutes is made at the end of every hour for the purpose of adjusting harness, tightening girths, etc. When troops march for the greater part of the day, a halt of about an hour is usually made about noon. At each halt pole-props will be let down; collars unlocked and thrown back on the saddle or withers, and cleaned if necessary; saddles replaced if they have moved; cinchas tightened if necessary, and horses' feet examined.
The march is usually in column of sections; when practicable, it will be in column of platoons at close intervals; but the front of the column must not be frequently diminished or increased, as this unavoidably adds to the fatigue of the horses, particularly of those in rear. The column of platoons should not be used when it fills the road from side to side so as to prevent the passage of carriages, staff-orderlies, etc.
A non-commissioned officer may be sent forward to reconnoitre the road or ground that the battery is to pass over.