Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-23
THE ENGLISH ARMY.
Facts Relating to the Immense sums
Expendcd for Horses.

The total number Of horses on the
establishment Of the English army-eX-
GLIDING officers chargers, which are pri-
vate property. and animals on the In
dian strength. the expense OF which Is
borne by the Indian Government-is
shown 10y the estimate for the current
year 10 be 1856. OF these, SAYS the Hart
ford Times, 7.Sil, or just over one halt,
belong to the three regiments OF house
hold cavalry and the cavalry resi-
ments Of the line. iii6 are ac-
counted for by the Royal artillery.
while the remainder are distributed
among the Royal engineers, army ser
vice corps. mounted infantry. ana IN
fantry transport establishment
This huge herd represents capliai
value Of about 100000. taking the rate
AT a little over 500 per head, and. as
army horses last. on an average, ABOUT
ten years. the stock has TO be renewed
at the rate of 10 per cent. annuailE. mus
II is estimated that during the current
year | $50 new horses viii be required III
order to keep up the full strength
The prices paid vary considerably, ac-
cording to the particular branch or the
service for which the animals are IN
tended. For instance. while the cavalry
Of the line can be provided with horses
az $2O0 each, Il mount for trooper OF
the Royal Horse Guards or the LIE
Guards costs no less than 90 SuihedS'
This higher price IL due 20 the fact that
the latter animal must possess special
ouaiifcations He must be big and
strong and able TO carry a weiehty
guardsman heavily equipped; further
more. the color must be black, ana this
is q condition which considerably limits
the field Of choice. The prevailing colors
If army horses. ii may be remarked are
browns and bays there are chestnuts
in the artillery. grays must be provided
for the Scots Grays, and few odd PIE
balds, foi cavalry drummers.
Horses for the Royal artillery, Royal en-
gineers. and army service corps let'h
S225 apiece: animals for infantry trans
mort service can be bought a $l6' each.
and the total cost OF the 1.fSD remounts
is nut down at $3l9,725 giving grand
average OF "A tribe over $2lo.
The years bill also includes 5000
Maid in the way Of subsidy. at the rate
of go per head annually, TO the owners
Of 14GoO horses in order that they may DE
at the immediate disposal OF the govern
ment in case of any sudden emergency
So. $50 is swallowed In expenses prior 10
Joining; siXty-nine mules TO De useu III
colonial transport work. and costing
81 ano must also be reckoned, and We
have then a total Of S3695.5. From this.
however. we must deduct a sum OF
Sf7 sos. 10 be realized on the sale OF me
Years east" or wornout ANIMALS ana
the net charge for new horsefiesh STATUS
at $4,000.
most serious item-that Of main
torance-remains TO be dealt with. ana
taking $50 a week as the cost OF feed
ING doctoring. etc, We find that the
Il Oo0 odd horses eat annually sum not
falling far short Of S2.o"0o II to TINS
nm we add the net cost OF new animals
and allow for interest on the capital IN
vested. we arrive at the final iact that
the total amount 10 be raised DIV the
British Taxpayer year by year III oIueI
to maintain the equine St ~. vi .nI
army amounts TO 100000 in United
States money.