Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1889-03-27
UNCLE SANS HORSES.
Substance Of the Army Regulations Pro-
Wiling for Their Purchase.


vi,ling for Their Purchase.
For ten years following the close of the
rebellion the army was supplied with
horses which were gathered up wherever
they could be found, says the Detroit Free
Press. The cavalry horses came mostly
from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio Mich
igan, Illinois, Indiana Kentucky and Mis-
souri,. AS the Western States and Terri
tories became sprinkled with settlers, the
attention of the latter was turned to the
matter of breeding horses. During the In
dian troubles of 1915 and 1875 III the North
west and Texas il was found that the ma
tive-pred horses, although a trihe under
the regulation, size, were much better
adapted thorough service than the Eastern
horses.
The commanders of the Indian division
communicated this fact to the department
at Washington; and it was de cided to sup
ply the army of the West with these horses.
Quartcrmasters wore directed to specify to
TINS cffectin advertising for horses. For a
couple of years past the horse, for both the
cavalry and artillery service Of the West
ern division haNe been purchased Oh the
const. and there is no likelihood OF this
practice being discontinued i'll the future.
Lower Oregon and Upper Nevada are now
The ranges in these regions are rocky and
hilly, and the horses are therefore provided
with hard hoofs, muscular limbs and a fine
development Of chest and body. They are
consloered far superior to the Kansas
pcfses. The stock,raisers breed them es-
pccialiy for the purpose OF selling tlem to
the Government.
The army regulations provide for'the Pur-
chase of horses in certain routine fashion.
As matter ofcourse only gctdIngs arc ac-
cepted. They must bo sound and III good
condition; that is, with no traces of consti-
tutlonal defects; the heigba must be from
fifteen to sixteen hands. and they must not
be less than five nor more than nine years
old. The specifications conclude with tho
ambiguous statement that the horses must
also be IN all respects fitted for tho Gavairy
service. This latter being solely matter
OF Individual opinion Is the source of snany
quarrcls aud disputes between contractors
and; Inspectors. More care is exerciss~i III
the selection of q cavalry horse than q horse
intended Tor the artillery service. Homust
possess a bright, intelligent eye, good
bead, shapely shoulders and breast, and q
hard hoof. free from splints and slightly
marks. His weight must be between 500
and l 100 pounds. The color OF the animal
has ,n1ucn TO do with his being purchased.
The colors which arc preferred are roam,
black, bay and chestnut. Next to these
come iron gray and sorlel. Horses of ''off >
colors, such as calcocs, buckskins, etc, are
taken only when it is necessary to do so to
complete a contract. White horses are
rarely accepted for the ranks, although
they are sometimes bought and used in
mounting bugicrs or a band. The modus
opcrandi of purchasing horses is, as u rule
as follows: AT stated periods, say The end
Of each quarter, each company commander
OF cavalry troop makes out a requisition
on the assistant quartcrmaster OF his de-
partment for the number of horses which
he may need When the acquisitions are all
in, the assistant quartermaster advertiscs
for bids for the horses wanted. the anima4s
to be delivered ut Il certain place for ingpe
ton on q certain day. Each bid sent i'll
must be III triplicate and accompanied by a
guarantee, indorsed by two responsible par
ties, that in case the bid is accepted the con-
tract will be fulfilled to the letter At the
time and place agreed upon the contractor
must not only have the number OF animals
actually required by the Government, but
also Il sufficient numbef to select from il
case of reflections, and he should fail short
of fulfilling the terms OF the contract