HORSES THAT THINK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

HORSES THAT THINK.

CHANGING THE GUARD.

LONDON'S DAILY SPECTACLE. Whether depicted on the screen or in practice, there is nothing which produces a greater thrill than a military pageant. It may be the Aldershot tattoo, or the tournament drill at Olympia, but bo far as visitors to London are concerned it is the changing of the Royal Guard. Every provincial holiday-maker and every visitor from abroad flocks to see this daily pageant. The Life Guards, who fnrnish the guard at Whitehall, change at 10.30 a.m. daily. They carry with them the Royal Standard which bears the honours of the regiment dating back to 1660. One of the greatest things which make an appeal to the sightseers is the almost human understanding of the jet black horses of the Guard*. Every word of command which is given by the captain is understood by them. They know exactly after " the change" that when the captain gives the command " walk march" it means stables. They aro also well aware if they are numbered in the first four they are for immediate sentry duty. Again thoy know when their turn comes round for relief, for they recognise their owners approaching the stables to saddle them.

Onlookers admire the way the mounted sentries sit practically motionless for ono whole hour, their turn of sentry-go. This is a tedious job, considering that they wear a heavy steel helmet with a beautiful drooping horsehair plume; tight white buckskin pantaloons, with long kneeboots ; steel cuirasses cover their closefitting tunics; and they have white glovos with large gauntlets. When it is time to go of! duty the horses show their appreciation by their alertness and readiness to submit to their usual morning groom. At Buckingham Palace or St. James* Palace a similar military pageant is being performed about this time. But this is .with the Foot Guards, who furnish the guards there. When the King is in residence the ceremony takes place at Buckingham Palace, but if he is out of residence it takes place in the Colour Court of St. .Tamos' Palace.

A guard is also furnished at Windsor Castle, and a similar ceremony is performed there in the quadrangle when the King is staying there. Doublo sentries are then poster). When the King is not at the castle the guard changes in front of the guard-room by the Henry VIII. gateway.