The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1895-06-20
UNCLE SANS HORSES.
Something About the Govern
K ments Four-Footed Stock.
An Animals Are Required TO Conform
with Certain Reguintions--A Horse
Generally Lasts six Years and
Is Thon Sold by Auction.


Generally Lasts Six Years and
Is Thon Sold by Auction.
Whenever, upon tho occasion OF any pub
he parade, tho cavalry stationed at the gar.
rison ut Fort Myer forms part Of the pro.
cession, tho magnificent appearance of the
horses excites tho universal admiration of
tho spectators, says the New York Sun.
Their size, for they arc above tho ordinary
build, suggests in itself the idea OF strength,
while the uniformly shaped head and large,
prominent eyes tell OF the intelligence OF
tho animal. The horse Ia as much OF the
cnvalrymnn's outfit as his saber or carbine,
and ho must needs possess the strength 70
endure long forced marches, and tho under
standing TO DO OF the most possible benefit
TO his rider In fighting by requiring the
least attention.
It Is said that France expends annually
1900 900 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
mounted infantry.
The United States does not spend nearly
40 much, but II secures u class OF horses
high abovsthe average, and by proper aud
humane treatment loses but a small por.
contage Of them. Moreover, the animal
when II becomes the property a Uncle
Sam fares better than its fellows, aud
ordinarily its life Ia continued in the service
for some years beyond that Of the horses OF
other armies.
Congress annually appropratcs about
t900, 900 to DO expended 10 the purchase Of
horses. This amount 10 divided pro rata
among tho divisions OF the army, those ON
the Atlantic coast not requiring as large a
sum rs the cavalry on the frontier, where
the life OF the animal IL not altogether ono
OF lazy contontment In Arizona, especial
ly, the equine mortality Is greater than In
any other section, and more horses become
disabled and unfit for further service. The
burning sands and aikali deserts lead TO
blindness and diseases OF the hoof, and tho
animal has other TO be shot or sold. The
lack OF proper pasturage and food also
cuts an important figure In the lifo OF the
cavalry horse In the remote garrisons OF
the West, for while his Eastern brother ia
feeding luxuriantly on n full allowance OF
ats and corn twice day and sleeping In
comfortable stable, the Western horse is
making q scanty meal on husks and sleep
ing In q ramshackle building that seems to
have been especially constructed for q FREQ
circulation Of air.
There are nearly 10, 900 horses In use by
the United States army. or this number
about ten per cent. are sold annually be
cause OF their unfitness for further cavalry
or artillery duty, and about fvo per cent.
are lost by death. 80, in order 10 maintain
tho standard, IL Is necessary 10 purchase
about 800 animals every year When tho
stock Of garrison needs replenishing the
Quartermaster- Generals Department is
notified. An advertisement inviting bids
is inserted in the prominent papers and
contract entered into with the lowest bid
der TO deliver tho horses Mt tho desired
point, II, after n suitable inspection by the
Secretary OF War, they meet the require
ments OF the standard fixed by tho army
regulations. 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 700 and i,200 pounds
for q cavalry horse and between 1850 and
1900 for artillery horses. There aro other
requirements necessary, such as the gener-
al build OF the animals and their health.
Whenever IL becomes necessary 10 pur
chase the half-breed horses OF California or
Southern Texas the standard Of the height
is reduced TO 14k hands. Long-legged,
loose jointed, long bodied and narrow chest
cd horses, rs well as thoee which arc rest
i've or vicious, are rejected.
Most Of the horses used In tho army are
purchased In st. Louis and Louisville, al
though the general rule OF late has been TO
obtain the animals In tho neghborhood In
which they are desired for use, tho idea be-
ing to obtain thoroughly acclimated ami
mails. Tho average cost Of u horse Ia tribe
over sl84.
As soon az tho purchase is completed the
horse is branded with the letters "U. b." or
the left fore shoulder, and a complete do
scriptive list is made OF him, which Away,
accompanies him wherever no Is trans
ferred. The horses are distributed by tn,
regimental commander, and the riders oil
| drivers arc not allowed 10 exchange them OF
| permit any ono else 10 use them.
With every troop Of cavalry a record Of
| the animals is kept, containing tho descrip
| ton OF every one received and transferred
showing the kind, name, age, size, color
! marks, brands, or other pecularities, how
and when acquired and disposed Of, the
name OF its rider and driver, and the use tc
which II is applied.
The forage ration for horse Is fourteen
pounds Of hay and twelve pounds o. oats
corn or barley, and in special cases OF hard
Il
service or exposure the grain ration Is usual
| ly increased three pounds. In localities
where good grazing is practicable for q con
siderable portion Of tho day, or during sea
sons when little labor 10 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 a.
auction, or before II they are disabled so NJ
to be unfit for service. When sold the Of
icer puts another brand on the horse, max
| ing IL impossible for the horse 10 be sold u
tho Government at some other point Con
demned animals do not bring very much
They are worthless for carriage purposes
and are too much worn out 10 be fit for thu
more arduous work OF street car hauling
They arc usually sold 70 contractors VIII
employ them in hauling small loads Blu
the army horse does not last long after h,
drops out OF the service. Usually he doe
not amount to much when the Governmen
has no further use for his services ana hi
career thereafter Is as short as II Is un
/ Al