The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-11-06
THE GOVERNMENT HORSES.
1T TAKES PRIDE IN ITS FOUR
FOOTED STOCK.
All the Animals Have TO Conform
With Certain Regulations A
Horse Generally I,asfs Sly Yeaps

Horse Generally Lasts Six Years.
Whenever, upon the occasion of any
public parade, the cavalry stationed at
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 aud
large, prominent eyes tell of the intelli
gence of the animal The horse is as
much of the cavalryman's outfit as his
sabre or his carbine, and he must needs
possess the strength to endure long
forced marches, and the understanding
to be of the most possible benefit to his
rider in fighting by requiring the least
attention.
Congress annually appropriates about
$500, 900 to be expended in the purchase
of horses. This amount is expended pro
rata among the divisions of the army,
those on the Atlantic coast not requiring
as large a sum as the cavalry on the from
tier, where the life of the animal is not
altogether one of lazy contentment. In
Arizona, especially, the equine mortality
is greater than in any other section, and
more horses become disabled and unfit
for further service. The burning sands
and alkali deserts lead to blindness and
diseases of the hoof, aud 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 a cavalry
horse in the remote garrisons of the
West, for while his Eastern brother is
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 ramshackle building
that seems TO have been especially con-
structed for free circulation of air.
There are nearly 10, 900 horses in use
by the United States Army. OF this
number about ten per cent. are sold
annually because of their unfitness for
further cavalry or artillery duty, aud
about five per cent, are lost by death.
So, in order to maintain the standard, it
is necessary TO purchase about 1900
animals every year. When a stock of
garrison needs replenishing the Quarter
master Generals Department is notified.
An advertisement inviting bids is in
serted in the prominent papers and con
tract entered into with the lowest bidder to
deliver the horses at the desired point, if,
after suitable inspection by the Secre-
tsry of War, they meet the requirements
of the standard fixed by the army regula-
tions. The regulations require that the
horse shall be gelding of uniform and
hardy color; from fifteen TO seventeen
hands high; from four to eight years old,
and weighing between 900 and 1900
pounds for cavalry horse and between
1850 and 1900 for artillery horses. There
are other requirements necessary, such rs
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 tho height is reduced to fourteen and
n half hands. Long-legged, loose -jointed,
long-bodled aud narrow-chested horses,
as well as those which are restive or
vicious, are rejected.
Most Of the horses used in the army
are purchased in ST. Louis and Louis
vile, although the general rule of late
has been to obtain the animals in the
neighborhoood in which they are desired
for use, the idea being to obtain
thoroughly accliinated animals. The
avarage cost of horse is tritie over
$134.
As soon as the purchase is completed
the horse is branded with the letters 'U.
S." on the left fore shoulder. and COM
plete descriptive list is made of him,
which always accompanies Kim where
ever he is transferred. The horses are
distributed by the regimental comman-
der, and the riders or drivers are not al
lowed to exchange them or permit any,
one else to use them.
With every troop of cavalry record
of the animal is kept, containinga des-
cription of every one received and trans
ferred, showing the kind, name, age,
size, color, marks, brands, or other
peculiarities, how and when acquired and
disposed of, the name of its rider and
driver, and the use to which it is APP
piled.
The forage ration for 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 is usually increased three
pounds. In localities where good graz
ing is practicable for a considerable pOr-
tion Of the day, or during seasons when
little labor is required of the animals, 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, if they are dis
abled so as to be unfit for service. When
sold the officer puts another brand on
the horse, making it impossible for the
horse to be sold TO the Government at
some other point. Condemned animals
do not bring very much They are
worthless for carriage purposes, and are
too much worn out TO be fit for the more
arduous work Of street-car hauling.
They are usually sold 10 contractors, who
employ them in hauling small loads.
But the army horse does not last long
after he drops out of the service. Usually
he does not amount TO much when the
Government has no further use for his
garvieeq and his earaar tboraa ffa,. ie ,s