The Washington times., 1906-12-27
CAVALRY HORSES
ARE EFFICIENT
American Trained Animals
Are Among the
Best.
PERFORM DIFFICULT FEATS
Western Buttes Axe Good Places for
Amy Exercise For
Equines.
lChieago Record Harall.

The efficiency Of the United States
cavalry receives less than II deserves
of popular appreciation. II is the old
story of the prophet in his own country.
The natural genius of Americans Tor the
saddle and the unlimited opportunity for
riding. combined under the Intelligent
direction Of the army regulations, have
produced results in which every Amer
lean should take pride
Since the earliest days the riding Of
the American soldier has been nota bic.
The work OF the cavalry on both sides
OF the civil war was IN many respects
unprecedented and has been studied BY
European experts with the closest at
tention. The Spanish war furnished
other famous examples. The credit for
being the best riders in the world has
long been given To the CCssacks. Since
the late war between Russia and Japan.
however. the ideal has been rudeIy shat
tered. For certain feats OF trick rid
ing. again. the Italian cavalry has been
very highly praised. 1t Is safe To say,
however that as regards endurance.
fancy riding and general efficiency our
American troopers ere. essIly. the equal
of and in all probability superior to any
cavnlry in the world.
Such results are ia no seESe acci-
dental. In the first place, the mate
rial at the disposal Of the officers is
exceptionally lit. The American soldier
seems TO take naturally to the saddle.
He Is. in the phrase. natural born
rider. nor is he lacking in daTinC and
endurance Then, again, the troops have
yhe advantage of great stretches OF
country cor riding which test their skill
and endurance. The cavalry posts or
the Wcst-and there are many of them
are doubtless the finest training schools
for riders in the world. Here are no
tanbark rings or restricted parade
grounds. but unlimited prairie. noun
tain. and desert. presenting every condi-
ton a soldier may be called upon TO face
in actual warfare. As might be eX-
pected. therefore. recruits are soon
licked into excellent shape
Drill Is Exacting.
The regular cavalry driH of the army
IL very exacting. The recruits are taught
at the beginning every detail of their
work. In many long and arduous huJrs
they are taught how to mount. how to
saddle and harness their horses, hov. 10
care for their mounts under all coudi-
tions and finally. when all these details
have beer mastered to so through the
various drills on horseback And n
regular intervals the troops are sent out
on long practice marches To harden and
accustom the men 10 face every pos
sible situation. These practice marches
often cover several hundred miles Of
rough country. The provisions for the
trip are carried along, the troops, OF
course, living in the open Al times the
men are rushed along on forced marches
covering nifty miles or more in "a day.
In the end they will return from sdch
an experience as hard as nails and with
an Invaluable experience.
At many of the Western posts the
troops have the opportunity 10 indulge
In a variety of rough riding or fancy
riding, which is at once exceedingly
picturesque and practical. The reputa-
lion Of the Cossack, for instance, Is
largely due TO the spectacular feats OF
q few picked men in the circus and sim
liar exhibitions. Those who have trav-
eled among the army posts OF the West
know that the American troops dis
count those feats