The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-10

are secured, as far as possible from the
neighborhood in which the regiment for
which they required is quartered. This
system has many advantages. 1t saves the
cost of transportation, and the horses,
adapted to the climatic conditions are of
the kind best suited for travel in that sec
ton OF the country where they are bred.
The mounts of the two crack cavalry regi-
ments of the service-the Sixth until lately
stationed in the State of Washington, and
the Fourth stationed at Fort Ethan Allen,
in VermOnt-a1ford an illustration of these
advantages.
The Vermont men are mounted on horses
purchased for them in the Green Mountain
State. They are good travellers, but are
not adapted to the trail-climbing and desert
marching, however, to which their brethren
from the West have become accustomed.
The Sixth Regiment is mounted upon
Montana stock, and the agility with which
these wiry little animals handled themselves
under the load of a 160-pound trooper and
who saw them at the Madison-square Car
den, where they gave an exhibition drill
some time ago.
The government requires a cavalry horse
to be between 1872 and 1873 hands in height,
not older than eight years nor younger
than five, and of sound wind and limb. 1t
also draws the line at a long-barreled
horse for cavalry use. He may pull well
enough in harness, but in order to carry
load all day horse must have his legs well
under him.
The rules governing the purchase of ar
tillery horses are not strict. OF course,
he must not be lazy, as the guns have TO
make pretty fast time upon occasions.
When new horses are received at cav
airy post the animals have a day or two in
which to recover from the effects of their
journey
When the horses have become thoroughly
rested the soldiers who are in need of new
mounts are formed in company front along
the picket line where the new horses are
tethered AT the word of command the men
break ranks and each sezes the horse
which strikes him at the time as being the
best
The wild scramble on the p, rt OF the
troopers always affords great amusement to
the other men on duty at the post, and the
catch-as-catch-can tussles which frequently
set their hearts the same prize are loud
" applauded by the onlookers, particularly
when noncombatant, taking advantage OF
the confusion leads the cause of the dis
turbance to his own stable.
The rOping in is always in charge or two
or three officers, who decide between rival
claimants and interfere before the quarrels
over the possession of horse become
serious This method of distribution is
made use of in order that there may be no
ground for the charge of favorltism The
men have twelve hours after having Sc
lected horse. during which they may
change with each other.
After that however, they are obliged TO
stick by their mounts, as otherwise tne am
mails would not acquire that familiarity
with and confidence In their rideTS which is
the chief requisite of efficient cavalry work
The cavairvman must be or certain
weight and possess a cool and even tefl-
permanent. A quick-tempered man is sell
dom successful hcrseman, ana as the
majority Of our mounted forces are re-
cruited from among the plainsmen or the
| far West. who have been accustomed 10 the
| management Of horses for generations, this
| quality has become inherent.
In the far Western posts. Wnere the men