The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-01-04
UNCLE SANS HORSES.
Ten Thousand Fine Animals In the
United States Army.
Washington Post.


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-
gence of the animal.
1t is said that France expends an
nually $500, 900 in the improvement of
her horses, with a view of obtaining
hardy bred animals, whose endurance
makes them especially valuable for such
irregular services as is required of the
Cossacks Of Russia, the Uhlans of Ger
many, and our mounted infantry.
THEY HAVE TO BE GOOD ONES.
The United States does not spend near
iy so much, but it secures a class of
horses high above the average, and by
proper and humane treatment loses but
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
$900,000 to he expended in the purchase
of horses. I';iis amount is divided pro
rata among Ike divisions Of the army,
those on the .tilantic coast not requiring
as large un rs the cavalry on the
frontier where the life of the animal is
aot altogeta. ea> 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 is feeding luxuriantly on full
allowance of oats and corn twice day
and sleeping in q comfortable stable, the
western horse is making scanty meal
on husks and sleeping in a ramshackle
building that seems to have been espe-
cially constructed for 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 unfitness for fur
Their cavalry or artillery duty, and about
) 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 rrplenishing 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 horses at the desired point.
if, after 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 to years
old, and weighing between 900 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 10 purchase the half breed
horses Of California or southern Texas
the standard of the height is reduced to
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
borhood in which they are desired for
use, the idea being to obtain thoroughly
acclimated animals. The average cost Of
horse is trife over S134.
AS soon as the purchase is completed
the horse is branded with the letters
gu. s." on The left fore shoulder, and
complete 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 one else
to use them.
With every troop of cavalry 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 its rider
and driver, and the use to which it is ap-
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 considerable por-
ton 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
disabled 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 ami
mails 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 to contractors,
who employ them in hauling small loads.
But the army horse does not last long
after he drops out of the service, Usu-
ally he does not amount to much when
the government has no further use for
his services, and his career thereafter Ia
as short as it is uneventful..