Scott had decided on a mixed transport strategy, relying on contributions from dogs, motor sledges and ponies.[25][26] He appointed Cecil Meares to take charge of the dog teams, and recruited Shackleton's former motor specialist, Bernard Day, to run the motor sledges.[27] Oates would be in charge of the ponies, but as he could not join the expedition until May 1910, Scott instructed Meares, who knew nothing of horses, to buy them – with unfortunate consequences for their quality and performance.[28]