The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-06-19
CRv T p Powersl


In the midst OF the attention we are
giving to the personnel OF our armies
there is a feature not less important
than the feeding and the physical con-
dition OF the men. and which we are
apt 20 overlook. IL is the condition
and training OF the army horse. Horses
are almost as necessary an adjunct 10
successful war as are men.
With the exception OF carriage horses
for use on the houlevards OF large cit
les, and of race horses-of which class
we probably breed the fastest in The
world-we have run behind other ma
tions in the production OF good and
| serviceable horses. This was because
having such splendid railroad and
electric facilities. we have had less
need for horses than other people. One
of the results OF our new expansive
policy will be to enlist public interest
in the cavalry horse: for while we may
have soldiers and a navy that can beat
the world. without strong and speedy
horses capable OF covering a march and
capturing a position by a dash. we
cannot be fully equipped as a nation.
The effect Of quick-hring guns will
be to reduce the relative efficiency Of
cavalry. and OF infantry from those OF
|
horses will still be a powerful factor
in war. The style OF horse needed In
the army Is that known in the older
countries as the hunting horse. an ami
NAL with enormous chest. clean limbs.
heavy loins. deep quarters and free
moving action. Such a horse when
well-groomed and bred will carry a
mount OF $50 pounds across country at
an excellent riding pace for the space
OF five or six hours. and will be COM
paratively fit and fresh for a pro-
longed march at the close.
Hunters thus trained in the field TO
rough work. make excellent army
horses. Not being much accustomed
to the delights of the chase in tSis
busy country. we have not developed
the European type of hunting horse.
but he is coming.
The best type OF the American horse
for use in the army. now comes from
Kentucky. and from the neighborinG
mountainous states. II is claimed ny
some that the small, chunky horse
is far better fitted for transporting
cannon than horses OF finer proportions
and of greater weight and frame.
II was the need OF horses OF such
endurance and powers which more
than anything else defeated Napoleon's
campaign upon Moscow.
The Russians were convinced OF this
and when some of them saw a French
gun at the base OF an ice-covered mol'
with the horses that drew Il. lyinl
with broken limbs beside il. because
Napoleon had omitted to bring horse
nails. they exclaimed with Joy: Coo
made Napoleon forget that there is ;
winter in this country"
The loss OF horses or the inability o
those used to answer their purposes n
the shock OF an engagement, has beer
fatal source OF reverses on many
well-fought field. II was owing 10 tn
condition OF his horses that Wellington
retreated from Salamanca, and Il wa
the splendid reinforcement os thel
cavSlry In the case OF the Prussians a
Gravelotte that caused the defeat O
the French army. Horses in each O
these campaigns turned the fortune
OF war. and affected the nations fate
The great purposes OF horses In wa
! are TO transport guns. to carry the sol
|. diers, to protect them in case OF
charge and 10 furnish food to the arm
, in case of famine. Many a soldier ha
protected his own life fighting a
enemy from behind the dead body {