The Artillery Horse's Prayer*
"To thee, my master, I offer my prayer."
"Treat me as a living being, not as a machine.
Feed me, water and care for me,
and when the day's work is dons, groom me carefully so that my
circulation
may act well, for remember: a good grooming is equivalent to half
a feed.
Clean my feet and legs and keep them in good condition, for they
are the most
important parts of my body."
"Pet me sometimes, be always gentle to me so that
I may serve you the more
gladly and learn to love you."
"Do not jerk the reins, do not whip me when I
am going up-hill. Do not force
me out of the regular gait or you will not have my strength when
you want it.
Never strike, beat or kick me when I do not understand what you
mean, but
give me a chance to understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to
do your bidding,
see if something is not wrong with my harness or feet."
"Don't draw the straps too tight: give me freedom
to move my head. Don't
make my load too heavy, and oh! I pray thee, have me well shod
every
month."
"Examine my teeth when I do not eat; I may have
some teeth too long or I may
have an ulcerated tooth and that, you know, is very painful. Do
not tie my head
in an unnatural position or take away my best defense against
flies and
mosquitoes by cutting off my tail."
"I cannot, alas, tell you when I am thirsty, so
give me pure, cold water
frequently. Do all you can to protect me from the sun; and throw
a cover over
me-not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold."
"I always try to do cheerfully the work you require
of me: and day and night I
stand for hours patiently waiting for you."
"In this war, like any other soldier, I will do
my best without hope of any
war-cross, content to serve my country and you, and, if need be,
I will die clam
and dignified on the battlefield; therefore, oh! my master, treat
me in the
kindest way and your God will reward you here and hereafter."
"I am not irreverent if I ask this, my prayer,
in the name of Him who was born
in a stable."
* NOTE-Written by Captain De Condenbove, French Army,
during the World War.
