Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-10-11
TEN THOUSAND HORSES.
THE UNITED STATES TAKES PRIDE
IN FouR-FooTED STOCK.


orally LASTS Six Years and Is Then Sold
- the Highest Bldder.
Whenever. upon the occasion Of any
public parade. the cavalry stationed 1T
the garrison at Fort Myer forms part Of
the procession. the magnificent appear
ance Of the horses excites tile universal
admiration Of the spectators. Their size,
for they are above tho ordinary build,
suggests in itself the idea OF strength,
while the uniformly shaped head and
large. prominent eyes tell OF the intelli-
gence of the animal
II Is said that France expends an
nually 100 IN the improvement of
her horses. with view of obtaining
hardy bred animals, whose endurance
makes them especially valuable for such
irregular services rs Is required or the
loSsacks of Russia. the Uhlans of Ger
many. and our mounted infantry.
THEY HAVE TO Biz GOOD ONES
The United States does not spend near
" SCI much. but 1t secures d 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 its 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
$200.000 to 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 sum as the cavalry on the
frontier, where the life of the animal Is
not altogether one of lazy, contentment.
IN Arizona, especially. the equine NOR
tality 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 is feeding luxuriantly on a full
allowance of oats and corn twice day
and sleeping in a comfortable stable the
western horse is making scanty meal
on husks and sleeping in ramshackle
building that seems to have been espe-
cially constructed for q free circulation
Of air
There are nearly 10000 horses in use
by the United States army. OF this
number about 70 per cent. are sold an
nually because of their unfitness for fur
ther cavalry or artillery duty. and about
5 per cent. are lost by death. So, in or
der to maintain the standard, it is neces-
sary to purchase about 1000 animals
every year. When the stock of garri-
son needs replenishing the quartermas-
ter general department is notified. An
advertisement inviting bids is inserted
In the prominent papers and contract
entered into with the lowest bidder to
deliver the hor61S at the desired point,
if. after suitable inspection by the sec
retary of war, they meet the~require-
ments of the standard fixed by the army
regulations. The regulations require
that the horse shall be geIding of uni
form and hardy color; from fifteen to
seventeen hands high; from A to s years
old. and weighing between 900 and / 200
pounds for 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 to
fourteen and one half hands.
COMPLETE RECORD KEPT.
Most of the horses used in the army
are purchased inst. Louis and Louisville.
although the general rule Of late has
been 30 obtain the animals In the neigh
Uorhood IN which they are desired for
use, the idea being to obtain thoroughly
acclimated animals. The average cost ~
horse IS a trifie over S134.
As soon a. the purchase Is completed
the horse IS branded with the letters
u. s. On the left fore shoulder. and q
conplete descriptive list il made of him
which alway accompanies him wheteyef
he Is transferred. The horses are dis
tributed ~ tie regiinental commander.
aud the riders O. drivers are not allowed
~ exchange them or permit any one else
- ilse them
With every troop O. cavalry 4 record
Of the animals IS kept. containing the
description of every one. received and
transferred. showing tle kind. name.
age. size. color. marks. brands Or other
peculiarities. how and when acquired
and disposed q. khe name Of its rider
and driver and the use to which It Is I'D.