The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-22
War Horses.


cant, the work has been carried ON
without the knowledge of the genera
public, and to day finds Uncle Sam
very well equipped with horses for
cavalry service, says the Philadelphia
Times. Its Importance cannot be over.
estimated, for the cavalry is one of the
most effective sdjuncts of military
force, and the horse the essential factor
in its Efficiency. Its significance can
not be overlooked, for it indicates be-
yond reas onable doubt the course
which Uncle Sam anticipates following
in event OF hostilities. In war against
Spain cavalry force would be useless
unless the occupation OF Cuba were at
tempted. With Cuba the seat of war,
an effective cavalry would do great
and valuable service.
1t is not likely that the activity at
Fort Myer would have been 80 pro-
nounced had not the War Department at
| Washington outlined some such course
in event of war. Horses are too ex-
| pensive to maintain in numbers exceed
ing actual require ment. In war times
the requisite number is, of course,
| greatly increased. The augmentation
of the number could not be left to the
last minute, however, for the training
of horse requires considerable time.
He must learn to stand steady under
fire and in the midst of flashing sabres;
he must learn to obt y the slightest pres
sure upon his TANKS when running with
loose rein; he must learn to lie down
and form barricade for his rider; in
short there are hundred minor de-
M ha h;t,, kof
he becomes sufficiently skilled for field
use. To teach horse these tactics re-
quires time and the greatest patience.
Every one is not capable of doing it,
and, in consequence, the greater time
is consumed in training large number.
In fact, the work is left almost entirely
to one man, Lieutenant Short, who, at
Fort Myer, furnishes trained horses for
the entire Eastern Division of the
army.
The horses are brought raw from the
West and have never felt the weight of
a saddle. They have little intelligence,
but are simply creatures of habit All
that is required to teach them cavalry
tactics is to make them understand
what is expected of them and let them
know that they must do it. What is
once learned they never forget.
Upon his arrival at Fort Myer the
new recruit is stalled with the other
horses. He is probably travel-sick
from the fleets of his long ride on the
care. The first thing to do is to get him
in good physical shape and make him
feel at home amid his new surround
ings. He is just like a new boy at
school; he is shy and everything is new
to him.
After he has been thoroughly rested
he is taken out into the paddock some
morning and given his first lesson in
cavalry tactics. The initial instruction
is in kneeling and lying down. In Or
der to make him understand what is re-
CURED OF him a simple arrangement of
harness is used.
A surcingle is placed around his
belly, to which are attached two iron
rings, one underneath and one at the
horses back. Straps containing rings
are also placed about each foreleg Just
above the hoof, and another strap is
placed about the head just above the
nose. The tficer in charge is supplied |
with two long ropes, by means of
which the horse is rendered quite at
the mercy of his instructor.
One rope is fastened 10 the ring on
the right leg, extends up through the |
ring on the surcingle under the horses
belly down to the ring on the left leg
and back again through the surcingle
ring. The other end of the rope is
held by the officer. The minute the
horse begins to show fractions spirit
q strong pull on the ropes brings him
down on his knees.
The other rope passes on the right
side of the horse from the ring Just
above the nose to that in the surcingle
1t the horses back. A pull on this
brings the animals head around close
% the right shoulder, and he is power
ess. A pull on both ropes at once will
cause him to lose his equilibrium, and {
Town he comes on his left side.
A few repetitions of this administer. I
I'd in such way as to demonstrate to !
he horse that he is entirely at the
mercy of the trainer and the first lesson {
8 over. The horse is taken back to t
lis stable, often without the stroke of a
whip. In some instances, however, it
8 found necessary to apply the lash Z
With discretion. :
The next step is to mount him. A :
ght sn, file bride is adjusted, and /
While the horse is on the ground the ,
fficer hands the ropes holding the ami :
nal in check to one of his men. Then :
hey are slackened, and as the horse
ttempts to struggle to his feet the Of l
Ger leaps on his back.
With a snort Of surprise the equine J
ecruit jumps and rears. Another pull
n the ropes and down he comes again
D the turf, the trainer leaping from
i'm as he falls. He lies there trembl- v
ng; few softly spoken words, a gentle v
aress, and it is tried all over again. '
finally, the pupil, who has previously I
earned to realize that he is powerless, t
cts used to the weight on his back and il
oesn't mind it, 1
The greatest shock to his nerves is
ct in store for his horseship. This is
/ getting accustomed to firearms.
While the animal is down on the q
round the officer takes pistol and h
res it close to his ear. Then in rapid a
rder he fires the weapon over his q
ack, under his neck, between his legs, v
nyWhere that an opening presepts II. :.