Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-11-16
TIN THOUSAND HORSES.
7Hs UNITED STATES TAXES PRIDE
IN FOUR-FOOTEo STOCK.

orally Lasts SIX Years, and IL Then Sold
tai the Highest Bidder
Whenever, upon the occasion OF any
public parade, the cavalry stationed ut
the garrison at Fort Myer forms part OF
the procession. the magnificent appear
ance Of the horses excites the universal
admiration Of the spectators. Their size,
for they are above the ordinary build,
suggests In itself the idea of strength,
while the uniformly shaped head and
large, prominent eyes tell Of the intelli-
g,nce Of the animal.
1t Is said that France expends an
naally $500. 900 in the improvement of
bsr horses. with a view Of obtaining
hardy bred animals, whose endurance
makes them especially valuable for such
irregular services as is required Of the
Ccssacks Of Russia, the Uhlans Of Ger
many, and our mounted infantry.
THR HAVE TO BE GOOD MES.
The United States does not spend near
ly so much, but IL secures a class OF
horses high above the average, and by
proper and humane treatment loses but
a small percentage Of them. Moreover,
the animal when it becomes the property
OF Uncle Sam fares better than It's fell
lows, and ordinarily its life is continued
in the service for some years beyond
that Of the horses Of other armies.
Congress annually appropriates about
5000. 900 20 be expended in the purchase
OF horses. This amount Is divided pro
rata among the divisions Of the army.
those on the Atlantic coast not requiring
as large a sun as the cavalry on the
frontier, W here the life Of the animal is
not altogether one Of lazy contentment.
In Arizona, especially, the equine NOR
tally is greater than in any other sec
ton, and more horses become disabled
and unfit for further service. The burn
ing sands and alkali deserts lead TO blind
ness and diseases of the hoof, and the
animal has either to be shot or sold.
The lack of proper pasturage and feed
also cuts an important figure in the life
of the cavalry horse in the remote garri-
sons OF the west, for while his eastern
brother - feeding luxuriantly on a full
allowance OF oats and corn twice a day
and sleeping in a comfortable stable. the
western horse is making a scanty meal
on husks and sleeping in a ramshacklo
building that seems to have been espe-
cially constructed for a free circulation
Of air.
There are nearly 10000 horses in use
by the United States army. OF this
number about 10 per cent. are sold an.
nually because of their unftness for fur
Their cavalry or artillery duty, and abou,
o per cent. are lost By death. So. in or
der TO maintain the standard, itSs neces-
sary TO purchase about 1900 animals
every year. When the stock Of a garri-
son needs replenishing the quartermas-
ter general department Is notified. An
advertisement inviting bids is inserted
i'm the prominent papers and a contract
entered into with the lowest bidder TO
deliver the horses at the desired point,
If, after a suitable inspection by the sec
rotary Of war, they meet the require
ments Of the standard fixed by the army
regulations. The regulations require
that the horse shall be a gelding OF uni
form and hardy color. from fifteen to
seventeen hands high; from 4 to 8 years
old. and weighing between 500 and 200
pounds for a cavalry horse, and between
1850 and 1900 for artillery horses.
There are other requirements necessary,
such as the general build of the animals
and their health. Whenever it becomes
necessary to purchase the half breed
horses of California or southern Texas
the standard Of the height Is reduced 10
fourteen and one-half hands.
A COMPLETE RECORD KEPT.
Most of the horses used in the army
are purchased in ST. Louis and Louisville,
although the general rule of late has
been to obtain the animals in the neigh
b0rhood in which they are desired for
use, the idea being to obtain thoroughly
acclimated animals. The average cost Of
a horse is a trifle over S134.
the horse is branded with the letters
"U. s." on the left fore shoulder, and a
com piete descriptive list is made OF him,
which alwaysaccompanies him wherever
he Is transferred. The horses are dis
tributed by the regimental commander,
and the riders or drivers are not allowed
to exchange them or permit any n else
to use them.
With every troop Of cavalry a record
of the animals Is kept, containing the
description Of every one received and
transferred, showing the kind. name,
age, size, color, marks, brands or other
peculiarities, how and when acquired
and disposed Of. the name Of It's rider
and driver, and the use to which it is ap-
piled.
The forage ration fora horse Is four
teen pounds Of hay and twelve pounds
of oats, corn or barley, and in special
cases Of hard service or exposure the
grain ration, Il usually increased three
pounds. In localities where good graz
ing Is practicable for q considerable por-
ton OF the day, or during seasons when
little labor ID required Of the animsls, the
ration Is usually reduced.
The animals usually last about six
years, and at the end Of that time are
sold at auction, or before, il they are
disabled so a. 10 be unfit for service.
When sold the officer puts another brand
on the horse, making IL impossible for
the hc-se to be sold 70 the government