The Washington times., 1901-10-13
AMERICAN HORSES ABROAD
Growth of the Exports of Mounts
From This Country.
Great Demand for the Stock Raised
i'm the United States-The Trotter
Has Captured the WorId-EngIapd
Purchases Many Cavalry Steeds.


in the United states-The Trotter
Has Captured the WorId-EnRIapd
| Purchases Many Cavalry steeds.
| When in four years American exports in
one particular field more than double
| leaping from $3 100000 in 1896 to 81 600 in
1891 to Sc 600 600 in 1895 to So 500, 600 in 1899
and to nearly $4,000 600 in 1900, it means a
| decidedly new force to be reckoned with
| a fresh appreciation abroad of yet another
| speciality of this country.
| For the entire export trade, enormously
| as il is increasing, does not of course
show a gain like this. Its prodigious ad-
vance since 1896 is but half such a per-
| centage, net adding on of not quite 60
| per cent.
1t is the exporting of American horses,
brought about by the growing demand
| for them in foreign countries, that has
| jumped up in this remarkable fashion,
| SURPRISING all belief
There were g., ,722 horses exported into
nearly every corner of the civilized world
during the year ending June 30, 1900 (the
figures for the past year have not been
made up, but they are known to be little
| larger, 45.77S for the twelvemonth pre-
ceding that, 81, $50 in 1898, 39,533 in 1897,
| 25 126 in 1S96-a total for the five years of
| close to quarter of million head, rep
| resenting 81, ,00O,0 600. 1t Is probable that
| the statistics for 1901, when they are is
| sued will bring these figures up to $685.
600 000 it not more, and to over 100000
head.
Great as these totals are, expanding as
the trade is, these are but the record of
disadvantageous circumstances and han
dicap Despite the growth, far bigger
1,
two years. So at least Western and East
ern horsemen, shippers, farmers, and
agents affirm.
In the way stood two considerations
the prices of American horses of all
grades and the falling off in the demand
for "trammers." Yet another considera-
ton may be added, the present impost of
import duties on the part of Germany.
In comparison to what they were a
year and more ago the prices of Ameri-
can horses have advanced Is per cent on
the average. In many an instance this
has resulted in projected shipments hay-
ing been given up because of lack of pos
sible profit. OF recent years, ii is inter-
esting to note the methods of this export
trade have completely changed. Foreign
buyers no longer come over here to any
extent. save to pick up special lots. In
place of the old custom of horses bought
for export at Chicago the big firms of
the west now ABROAD TO one OF tue
English markets, and sell at the best
price offered. To Great Britain go an
average of one-half the horses sent from
here, with London and Liverpool as their
chief ports.
Electricity has struck sharply at the
American horse abroad. as 1t has here.
1t is not SO many years since there were
thousands of low-grade Western stock
freighted over the Atlantic, trammers,
(as they were called. horses to drag the
trans" or the horse cars. 'Trammers'
alone made up immense industry at
one time. But they are wanted no longer.
any more than are the stocky little horses
that agents used to pick up eagerly to
draw the cars of French cities almost
a type of steed In themselves. With this,
too, much Continental trade has fallen
off, due to the new import duties of Ger
many.
Offsetting these drawbacks have been
the growth in the demand for bussers''
and "vanners, the former the horses
wanted for the buses of English cities the
latter heavier, more powerful horse for
vans or drays; the new and increasing
appreciation of American coach horses.
the fashionable world of England stand
ing very firm in their liking Of ''Ameri-
cans" the call for fine Western stock
for the cavalry mounts of foreign ma
tions, and the great drafts of army horses
for South Africa that, at times. have
nearly swept the American horse mar
Were IT not for their increased value
the American horses would be uncrowned
to some extent feeling a competition of
the newly bred Danish horse. which, ac-
cording to Philip Hexamer. of Hoboken,
is an animal somewhat along the order
of our Western horses, well made and
clean limbed.
So large, however is the domestic de-
mand for the American horse that the
question now considered is whether there |
is going to be enough of him in the next
two years to ''go round There are fears |
as to this. The breeders have for some
new stocks will not be ready Immediately. |
The advanced prices that show no signs |
of breaking, rather of appreciating. are |
evidences. An interesting commentary is |
to be found in this letter. received a fort |
night ago by a very prominent New York |
dealer from his Kentucky agent:
81 have your favor of the 22d. and win |
say that | shall start to TIE bushes next |
week and try to buy about half a load |
(of horses) After l get ten or twelve ] |
Will take my time about picking up the |
find just now than l have ever known /
them, and 1t begins to look as If we will |
have saddle horse famine in this State |
If the demand keeps up.
Outside of the ordinary run of the |
horse export trade there are two special |
features of export that have attracted |
the American trotters, sent abroad for |
racing and for breeding. and American |
Western-bred stations that latterly have |
gone over to Austria These are being |
crossed with Austrian mares for the pur- |
pose of producing a new variety of Aus |
trian officers mounts, and though IN its |
infancy: without any definite results as
yet. this project promises to be a sue
cess. Few horses are being exported for |
this. but those that do go are fine stock. |
and will probably lead to a greater de
mand.
The American trotter abroad has scored |
go distinctively In past years that he is |
wanted In many countries. Though trot-
ting can hardly be said to have taken in