The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1889-09-29
TEN THOUSAND HORSES
N Government Takes Z Pride In Its
Pour -Pooted Stock.
An the Aniuaals are ReqaIreA tn Conform
wien Certaia Regulations "A HOrse Lasts
san Iear. asd is sold ny Auction
- the niGhe~ nidsAer.

WASHINGTON. sept. X.-whcncver, up
~ the occasion OF any public parade. the
cavalry stationed at the garrison mt Fort
Myer forms part of the procession. the
magnificent appearance of the horses ex-
cites the universal admiration of the spec
tat.-s. Their size, for they are above the
ordinary build. uRRests in itself the idea
Of strength, while the uniformly shaped
head and large prominent eyes tell Of the
Intelligence of the animal. The horse Is
as much Of the c~avalryman's outfit as his
sabre or his carbinc, and he must needs
possess the strength to endure long forced
marches, and the understanding to he of
tho most possible benefit tn his rider i'm
fighting by requiring the least attention
II In said that France cxpends annually
with n view to obtaining hariy-brcd
animals, whose endurance makes them
especially valuabl for such irregular
services as Is required OF the Cossacks of
OF Russia, the Uhlans OF Germany. and
The United States does not spend near
~ so much, hut IL secures n class of horses
high above the average. and ny proper
percentage Of them. Moreover. the ani-
NAL when 1t becomes thc property of
Sam fares better than its fellows,
and ordinarily his life is continued in the
service for some years beyond that of the
horses Of other armies.
e2O.O0O To he expended In the purchase of
horses. This amount is divided pro rata
among the divisions Of the army, those ON
sum as the cavalry on the frontier, where
she life Of the animal is not altogether one
Of lazy contentment; In Ari.ona. cape
in any other section, and more horses he
come disabled and unfit for further ser
e 10 lead 70 biimdmess and diseases OF the
hoof, and the animal has either to he shot
or sold; The lack Of proper p~asturage
the life Of the cavalry horse in the remote
g~arrisons at the west. for while his east
ern brother il feeding luxuriantly on n
day and sleeping i'm n comfortable stable,
the western horse In making "a scanty
meal on husks and sleeping i'm a ram
shackle building that seems To have been
especially constructed for ~ free circula-
the United States army. OF this number
about ten per cent. are sold annually he
cause Of their unfitncss for further caval-
cent. are lost by death. So, i'm order To
maintain the standard, IL is necessary tn
purchase about 1,50O animals every year.
plenishing the Quartermastcr-Gencral
Department is notified. An advertise
mcnt inviting bids Is inserted i'm the prom
inent papers and ~ contract entered into
with the lowest bidder To deliver the
horses mt the desired point, III, after "a
s wasa they 'n mrc; sRa ps tire sss' az ,S %s
-" ~
standard fixed by the army regulations.
The regulations require that the horse
shall bc n Geldin0 Of uniform and hardy
color; from fifteen To seventeen hands
hight from 4 tn 4 years old, and weighing
between 100 and Loo pounds for a cavalry
lery horses. There are other requirements
necessary, such as the general build Of
the m and their health: Whenever
IL ecomes necessary to purchase the half
breed horses of California ar southern
Texas the standard of the height is re-
f ;nins..i TO l iaI haInsi AN. nG="H SarrawGb ,@Sssi
horses, as well Us those which are FESTIVE
or vicious, are rejected.
Most of the horses used i'm the army are
purchased i'm 81. Louis and Louisville, al
though the general rule of late has heen
To obtain the animals In the ~neighhorhood
being To obtain thoroughly accli.natcd an
finals. The average cost at "a horse IL a.
trific over S1aA.
As soon as the purchase is completed
the horse il branded with the letters III.
s." OH the left fore shoulder, and "a COM
pletc descriptive list is made Of hmm,
which always accompanies him wherever
he is transferred. The horses are distrib-
utcd 10y the r~rgirnental commanders, and
change them or permit any one else tai
use them.
With every troop Of cavalry n record Of
the animals iskcpt. containing the dcscrip
ton of every one received and transfcrred,
showing the Kind. name, age. size, color.
marks. brands. or other peculiarities. how
ails wItft stfhu Nv VI WV
name Of its rider and driver, and
the use tai which il is applied.
The forage ration fora horse is fourteen
pounds of hay and twelve pounds of oats,
corn or barley. and in special cases of
hard service or exposur" the grain ration
Is usually increased three pounds. In To-
~calities where good grazing * practicable
for "a considerable portion OF the day. ar
during seasons when little i'm ~
quired OF the animals, the ration il usually
reduced.
The animals usually last about six years,
and AT the end Of that time are sold AT
auction. or bsfore, IL they arr, disabled 81
as to he unfit for service. When sold thu
officer puts another brand on the horse,
making il impossible for the horse to In
sold to the government at some other
point. They are worthless for carriage
purposes, and are too much worn out ia
he fit for the more arduous work of street
car hauling. They are usually sold Ia
contractors, who employ them i'm hauling
small loads. But the army horse does
not last long after he drops ont of service
NOTES FROM DEER LODGE.