Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-14
ARMY NEEDS HORSES.
Gen. Wood Points Out Serious.
ness of Situation.
PROBLEM GROWS DAILY
In Case of War Nation Would Have
to Import Mounts.
DESCRIBES KIND NEEDED
Shows Foreign Countries Spend
Great Sums to Obtain
Thoroughbreds.

horses suitable to the needs of the United
States Army has reached a point as Sc
rious. in proportion to the country's
population. as was that in 1854. when the
army needed fSS. 700 horses and could not
obtain them. was the statement yesterday
of Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, who de-
clared that, in the next war, unless the
situation materially has improved, the
army porbably will have to import
mounts from abroad.
Army officers. including Gen. Wood, are
taking more of an interest in the plans
for the National Capital Horse Show, to
be held May to 4, than they have in any
previous horse show held in Washing
ton, for the reason that the problem
facing the army with respect to the
scarcity Of horses constantly IS becoming
a more difficult one to solve. The direc-
tors OF the Naional Capital horse show
are endeavoirng to bring horse owners
and breeders into closer touch with the
government. and II is believed that, on
account Of Washington being the seat OF
the government and located between two
great hOrse-producing states, Maryland
and Virginia, the local horse shows. at no
distant date are destined to become the
most important of any in the country.
Kind of Horses Needed.
In an interview in which he describes
the kinds of horses needed by the army,
Gen. Wood refers to the hunter type.
with a foundation of galloping blood
The horse show. officials have arranged
the prize list with the view Of securing
numerous entries Of horses of that type.
Gen. Woods statement Is as follows:
THE question Of proper mounts for
the cavalry and artillery Is very seri-
GUS one. During the twenty-six years Of
my experience in the service there has
been a gradual falling of in the quality
of remounts. We need about 1000 new
horses each year. but they are exceed
ingiy hard to obtain. although We have
Officers and agents securing the country
every day. They manage to pick up a
fair horse now and then, but the horses
here are not nearly 50 good in quality as
the European cavalry horses. Those Of
Germany and France are much superior
to our horses. The governments of those
countries spend immense sums annually
for Thoroughbred sires.
The thoroughbred strain means every
thing to our horses In the army. The
cavalry horses must have it to give them
proper galloping capacity. and our ar
need action as well as drawing power. 1
do not mean to say that the thorough
bred on either side is absolutely essen
tial. for his blood Is also found in large
the standard bred.
Sturdy Mounts Required.
''The horses for the remount service
Of the cavalry should be at least 1872
hands, and should weigh not less than
1000 pounds The enlisted man, with
his full kit, weighs more than go pounds,
50 that he needs q sturdy horse to carry
him over a rough country. such as he
will experience in time Of war;
'Omcers' mounts should be big-boned
thoroughbred horses, or horses having
such an infusion Of galloping blood as
for the rank and file should be hunter
type. with foundation Of galloping
blood.
In tme Of war there is an annual
men. and a much greater one among the
horses. That war is trying ordeal on
horses vas shown when the French in
vaded Russia with $1,000 horses and
war-a small affair. as wars go-agents
OF Great Britain came to this country
and bought 10000 horses. In Australia
and Argentina they got 100000 more and
this from country well equipped with
breeding farms.
Difficulties Encountered.
1T is difficult to obtain only 900
horses now, and unless something is
done think that during our next war
We shall be without suitable horses and
shall have to send TO other countries
for them or utilize whatever may be
available.
:, "A ,hI. there are 100000 horses
are suitable for the remount service"
While Gen. Wood does not refer to the
plan under consideration by the Ma
tional Capital horse show to conduct an
auction sale of thoroughbreds as a fea-
ture Of the show to be held May 1 to
4. 1t Is understood that the suggestion
has the Endorsement Of army oficers
The competition In the military classes
At the show will, IL Is believed furnf:~,
breeders An index OF the kind Of horses
the army desires