He constantly rode about from camp to camp, entering the huts, chatting cheerfully with the soldiers, and encouraging them by kind words and assurances that, when the spring came, they would soon gain strength again.
At Narva the four young officers had all purchased horses.

Most of the Swedish officers were mounted; and the king encouraged this, as, on occasion, he could thereby collect at once a body of mounted men ready for any enterprise; but their own colonel preferred that, on the march, the lieutenants and ensigns should be on foot with their men, in order to set them an example of cheerful endurance.
Those who wished it, however, were permitted to have horses, which were, on such occasions, led in the rear of the regiment.
Captain Jervoise had approved of the purchase of the horses, which were got very cheaply, as great numbers had been captured.
"If we can get over the difficulty of the forage," he said, "you will find them very useful for preserving your health during the winter.

A ride will set your blood in motion, and, wherever we are quartered, there are sure to be camps within riding distance.

The king approves of officers taking part in dashing expeditions, so you may be able to take a share in affairs that will break the monotony of camp life." They found great benefit from being able to ride about.

Forage was indeed very scarce.