Wichita eagle., 1886-11-03
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9ai1Y eagle
CAVALRY SERVICE.
DISCUSSION OF THE MERITS OF
GOVERNMENT HORSES.

Hardships OF the Service the West
ern PIains-SeIection of Gallant Steeds
for Uncle San-RiSorous Examination
The Last Test-Good 5Iemory.
4 few days ago a reporter engaged in
conversation with recruiting sergeant in
the United States cavalry service, and in
the course Of the chat the officer driited
into the discussion of the merits OF horses
supplied to the service and the manner In
which they are furnished to the govern
ment Not long since 500 horses were pur-
chased in this city, st. Louis, Chicago and
other large mercantile centres for troops
in the four big western departments of
the Platte, Dakota, Missouri and Texas,
in which divisions it is estimated that
three-fourths OF the army of our country
is comprised.
"Most Of orr cavalry horses" said the
recruiting sergeant, "are lost on the plains
in the west No one here east can con-
ceiye the rigor OF OUT western military
duties Or the hardShips they entail for the
soldiers aad their beasts. We suppose
that the great west is teenling with YER
durc and forage, whereas the fact is that
in very many tracts OF country scouting
parties are compelled TO ride for a week Or
more, at the rate Of perhaps fifty miles a
day, with 10 grain for their horses and
very little grass by the way. A general
scrutiny OF the condemned army horses
would show that their retirement from
the service is due more TO starvation than
anything else. Very often the troopers
horse drops in the ranks from sheer eX-
haustion and others are so badly used up
that they never recover from the priva-
ton and fatigue, and are finally con-
demned for use in the field and shipped to
recruiting stations, where they answer
much better even than green horses for
drilling recruits.
PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS DEMANDED.
what are the physical qualifications
demanded for the selection Of horses for
the cavalry servicc?'
We'll in the first pace, mono but geld
ings are taken. The government does not
care for stations or mares. The animal
submitted for purchase should stand
at least fifteen hands high and
weigh about 900 pounds He should be
short in the back and also short in the
pastern joints. \ long glegged beast with
badly-shaped head wouldn't pass mus
ter at all. Low l,ither5 is one of the most
essential points, because horse with high
withers is liable to work the saddle for
ward and get sores; ana once in that con-
dltion he loses flesh and becomes worth
less. In addition 20 these specifications,
he must be absolutely free from contracted
hoofS, or he Won't pass the inspection OF
the board.
In what manner are horses secured for
the cavalry service"
Generally By ADVERTISING Tho part:c-
ular class OK animals desired IS becoming
Scarcer every day. This, ] suppose, is due
TO the fact that breeders are giving their !
attention to the raising Of draUght horses !
OF the Percheron, Norman and similar !
stock, which ara, OF course, too slow for |
cavalry purposes. 1t is q singular fact [
that horse dealers, as 4 rule, consider the !
government legitimate prey for al sorts |
OF imposition fCc, instance, at the last |
inspection, only eight out Of sixty horses !
offered were accept@i Hostier5 trotted |
them out for inspection full OF confidence /
that they could unload their employers
full stock Of useless cquines Some OF !
the animals names and f0rctopS were
plated and decorated with strips Of red
flannel Their tails were done up in com
mon bagging Of 50 bulgy shape as to
suggest the probability of their being
about ten feet long. OF course, those dec
oratiols had to come off to make sure
that the tails were all there and that the
names were Of hair instead Of eakum
The eyes OF q horse under inspection are
closely examined