Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-03-19
UNCLE SANS HORSES.
Something About the Govern
ments Four-Footed Stock
An Animals Are Required to Conform
with Certain RegulatiOns-A Horse
Generally Lasts Six Years and
Is Then Sold by Auction.

Tic parade, the cavalry stationed at tue gar
rison at Fort Myer forms part Of the pro
cession, the magnificent appearance of the
horses excites the universal admiration Of
the spectators, says the New York Sun
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 intelligence Of
the animal. The horse is as much of the
cavalryman's outfit as his saber or caroline,
and he must needs possess the strength 70
endure long forced marches, and the under.
standing to be Of the most possible uefit
to his rider in fighting by requiring the
least attention.
1t is said that France expends annually
$500, 600 in the Improvement of her horses,
with view to obtaining hardy-bred ami
mails, whose endurance makes them es-
pecially valuable for such irregular serv-
ices as is required Of the Cossacks of Rus
sia, the Uhlans Of Germany and our
mounted infantry.
The United States does not spend nearly
so much, but it secures a cass of horses
high above the average, and by proper and
humane treatment loses but small per-
centage of them. Moreover, the animal
when it becomes the property Of Uncle
Sam fares better than its fellows, 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, 200 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 a
sum as the cavalry on the frontier, where
the life of the animal is not altogether one
If lazy contentment In Arizona, especial
Y, the equine mortality is greater than in
my other section, and more horses become
disabled and unit for further service. The
burning sands and alkali deserts lead to
blindness and diseases of the hoof, and the
animal has either to be shot or sold. The
lack of proper pasturage and food also
cuts an important figure in the life of the
,avalry horse in the remote garrisons of
he West, for while his Eastern brother is
eeding luYuriantly on full allowance of
ats and corn twice day and sleeping in a
comfortable stable, the Western horse is
making a scanty meal on husks and Sleep
.ng in ramshackle building that seems to
nave been especially constructed for q free
circulation of air.
There are nearly 10000 horses in use by
he United States army. OF this number
bout ten per cent. are sold annually be-
1r artillery duty, and about five per cent.
ire lost by death. So, in order to maintain
he standard, it is necessary to purchase
bout 1900 animals every year. When the
tock of a garrison needs replenishlng the
luartermaster, Generals Department is
lottied. An advertisement inviting bids
s inserted i'll the prominent papers and q
contract entered into with the lowest bid
ler to deliver the horses at the desired
'oint, If, after a suitable inspection by the
Secretary of War, they meet the require
nents Of the standard fixed by the army
'egulatlons. The regulations require that
ne morse snau DC IL gelulng OF UNIFORM and
ardy color; from fifteen to seventeen
lands high; from four 10 eight years old.
nd weighing between 300 and 200 poun1.s
or a cavalry horse and between 1.050 and
800 for artillery horses. There are other
equirements necessary, such as the gener-
i build of the animals and their health
Whenever it becomes necessary to pur-
hase the half-breed horses OF california or
outhern Texas the standard of the height
reduced to 14l$ hands. Long-legged,
)ose-jointed, long bodied and narrow-chest-
q horses, as well as those which are rest
ye or vicious, are rejected.
Most of the horses used in the army are
purchased in ST. Louis and Louisville, al
hough the general rule of late has been to
btain the anina.s in the neighborhood in
which they are desired for use, the idea be-
ng to obtain thoroughly acclimated ami
nails. Tho average cost of a horse is trifle
pver S134
AS soon as the purchase is completed the
,orse is branded with the letters "U. s." on
he left fore shoulder, and complete de-
criptive list is made of him, which always
companies him wherever he is trans
erred. The horses are distributed by the
commander, aud the riders or
rivers are not allowed to exchange them or
jermit any one else TO use them.
With every troop of cavalry q record of
he animals is kept, containing the descrip-
ion of every one received and transferred,
howing the kind, nalle, age, size, color,
marks, brands, or other pecu.iarities, how
md when acquired and disposed of, the
lame of its rider and driver, and the use to
which it is applied.
The forage ration for horse is fourteen
pounds Of hay and twelve pounds % oats,
orn or barley, and in special cases of hard
,ervice or exposure the grain ration is usual
y increased three pounds. In localities
where good grazing is practicable for con-
iiderable portion Of the day, or during sea-
sons when little labor is required Of the
lnimals, the ration is usually reduced.
The animals usually last about Six years,
md at the end of that time are sod at
luction, or before il they are disabled so as
o be unfit for service. When sold the Of
icer puts another brand on the horse, max
ng 1T impossible for the horse to be sold 10
he Government at some other point. Con-
lemned animals do not bring very much.
they are worthless for carriage purposes,
md are too much worn out to be fit for the
more arduous work Of street car hauling.
they are usually sold to contractors who
employ them in hauling small loads But
he army horse does not last long after he
Irops out of the service. Usually he does
loI amount TO much when the Government
las no further use for his services, and his
career thereafter is as short as it is un-
nj