Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-04-19
FOR UNCLE SAM.
HOW THE GOVERNMENT BUYS AMI
MAILS FOR HIS CAVALRY SERVICE.
The Particular Grade Of Horses De
manded Physical Requisites Of Good
Cavalry Steeds-Rigid Tests Of
the Inspection.
Isl. Louis Globe-Democrat.l |

The government is buying horses In this
market for cavalry service. -Four hundred
head are to be purchased in st. Louis, and
about as many more in two or three other
western cities. These horses are for troops
in the four departments of Texas, Missouri,
Dakota and the Platte, covering range of
territory extending from the Rocky noun
tains to the Mississippi river, and from the
gulf to the British possessions 1t is esti-
mated that three-tourths of the army is en-
gagged within the scope defined.
The average life of cavalry horse de-
pends SO entirely on circumstances it is diff
cult to say how long he will last before he is
condemned, or dies from hardship or the
bullet Sometimes they die before they feel
the brand of the regiment or company
it was intended they should go to.
Then again, they have been known
to do good service for ten or twelve
years. Most of the horses are lost on
the PLAINS, where the greatest hardships
are met with. Here it is that the cavalry
horses endurance is tested 70 the utmost
imits Snd none but the best Of them can
stand ii, becsuse forage is scarce in the
western wilds. and many scouting party
ranges over the country, riding from thirty
to sixty miles day for a week or more at a
but very little grass Oft the troopers war
horse dies by tbs way, and a good many
others are so badly used up that they never
fully recover from the fatigue aud priva-
tion, and finally they are condemned for use
in the field. The best OF condemned horses
are placed on the retired list, SO to speak,
or rather shipped into recruiting stations,
where they answer even better than green
horses in the drill to prepare newly enlisted
soldiers for duty on the frontiers. A cav
airy horse 50 badly used up as to be unfit to
I'LL the place of drill plug is sold by the
government ut auction, and the missing onss
and those that die are duly reported to the
quarterma,ter's department.
The particular class Of horses desired, ex-
perts say, are growing scarcer every year,
owing to the fact that breeders are giving
their attention more to raising Percheron
and Norman stock. these breeds of horses
are too heavy and clumsy for the saddle,
Yet are more in demand, and sell for more
money for draft purposes than smaller
animals. These facts suggest that cavalry
horses would soon run out, but the political
economist steps in here and says the law Of
demand and supply will fully regulate that
matter. That theory, 1t is said, is good
enough in the absence Of an emergency, but
in the event Of q breaking out of . war with
civil or foreign powers the government
would b in dilemma Il It had to wait five
or six years for breeders to raise enough
horses ~ meet the demand. In such con-
tingency heavy horses would have to be
taken to make up the deficiency in class of
steeds the government buys now.
The general dimensions Of q cavalry horss
are between fifteen and sixteen hands high,
and of not les than 9J0 pounds weight A
-hand" is four inches, therefore tho height
of q fif.een-hand horse is five feet In buili
the animal must be closs-built; that is,
coupled short in the back, for long backed
horse is deficient in the strength necessary to
carry a rider. The pastern joints should
also be short, because many a valuable horse
with long pasterns breaks down there when
perfectly sound in every other particular.
This feature is noticeable In many bloodei
race-horses and is quite IS liable TO befall
cavalry horse of that build burdened with q
heavy man The hoofs, too must be Of di-
mensions in harmony with the size of a
horse, as nothing will condemn him in tn,
eyes Of an inspection board more readily
than contracted feet
Nothing but geldings are taken The
government buys no stations or maros The
general appearance of a horse counts for
great deal A big legged animal with al
in-shapei head would not pass mu.tsr, and
he must be STRAIGHTFORWARD, or the sad lie is
likely to work forward and gall the withers
Low withers is one Of the most essential
points, for . horse with high withers is
likely to get sore under the saddle, AMI
once in that condition he falls off in flesh
and soon becomes worthless Coming up to
requirements in all these particulars, the
horse must lie active, sound in wind and
limb, and free from blemish
The inspection was held at Reilly & VOL
forts stables, where, during the forenoon,
but seven out Of forty odd horses were
accepted. Hostlers trottej them out for
presentation at the rear of the tables, in the
full light of a ten-foot square window sash.
Some Of the horses had their names and
foretops plated, with stripe of red flannel,
and their tails were plated and sewed up in
a case of bagging But these ornaments
lions counted for nothing and it was no use
for the jockeys to hold the horses' heads up.
The tail sacking had to come off to make
sure that ali the tail was there, and that the
stufling inside the sack was not false hair
or something ella A glance was sufficient to
condemn q great many horses. The eyes of
.
appeared, in general outlines, to fill the bill,
he was examined very closely: first, his teeth,
to determine the age, and then all the other
points mentioned In this article. The in
spection Of a single subject sometimes con-
sumed twenty minutea Then the hostler
was made to walk the animal down the
length of tho stable and trot back, leading
the horse by the halter. Then, If there was
no sign of lameness, and the horse stepped
off with an active gait, he was ordered "tied
in" for the last test, to see if his wind was
good One OF the horees accepted was a
fraction under height, but being An extra
fine animal, SURPRISING in all the other re-
Quirements of excellence, he was accepted
Then another, that was under age, bit 9TH
erwise far superior to any horse presented,
was also taken.
The last test Is run Of two blocks up hill,
for cavalry horse, in addition to all else
that has been said Of him. must be a long
winded racer. No saddle is used, hostler
mounts and trots to the starting point, and
rides back as fast as the horse can go, plying
a cowhide at every jump. If the racer is
not winde he is trotted off on a trot, led
with halter, and stands at curbing until
the inspectors are ready to brand.
This is the last feature; the horses are
are taken u blacksmith-shop, and there
branded with U. S. on the left shoulder.
That settles the animals destiny-he is no
longer private property When he gets to
his regiment he will feel tine red-hot iron
twice more, once from The resimental brand
anu once w!th the bral.l Il tie company on
ti' left hip. Then numher will be burned
in the hoof for more perfect Identification.
These rands usually bee. me oh cure in the
course OF Year AMI nave to lie renewed,
and it is not an ca Y matter t. burn q horse
:aat hos once suiffai thc olNr