The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-24
Army Horses for
Mexican Service
RMY arithmeticians are busy these

busy for some time, figuring out
totals and percentages that war or
threatened war make necessary.
In the first place, 1t is imperative
that the army shall get pretty good
line on the number of Immediately
available horses in the United States.
At the time of sending troops into
Mexico for the holding Of Vera Cruz,
the cavalry branch of the army Of the
United States comprised fifteen regi-
ments, with a total of officers and en-
listed men reaching nearly $1,000 men.
Every one of these men, Of course, has
to be mounted. A large number OF in
fantry officers also require horses. And
the horses needed for the artillery
service foot up to big figure. The
total enlisted strength prior to the &C.
cupation of Vera Cruz was about
$1,000 men, and for all branches OF
the service, including the hospital at
PENDANTS, 1t is likely that at least 10000
horses We're regularly required.
Now, with 10000 horses. the MORTAL
ity percentage must lie constantly reck-
oned with. In fact, 1t Is more certain
than the mortality of the soldier him
self. \ horse cannot DE buoyed up by
enthusiasm, and when It's feed time
IA promise is of no value to him. SO
when the Mexico cloud came up one
of the busy clerks of the War De-
partment was at once the horse arith-
metician.
Uncle Sans last census gave approxi-
mately as the horse population of the
United States 20,567.00O. The army
arithmetlcian juggling with percentages
sees that in time of absolute peace
the army needs only one horse in every
1000 In the country. But as every one
Of the horses listed Is not the sort OF
horse for army purposes nothing posi-
tive can be set down. Some army men
have estimated that the total avail
able horse population for army pur-
poses can be set at about 1900, 900 ami
mails. This would make the draft on
the number for use in time of peace or
as the army was before the occupation Of
Vera Cruz, one horse in every 100.
The army arithmetician also finds
that the approximate value Of the horses
uf the United States IL s2,27S,222 900,
or about $1l3 horse. The 10000 needed
for the army would thus cost Uncle
sam about s2.260,0O0. The army
ligurers also go into the cost per diem
for the keep of these horses.
Nn,,ll ha IifIirttltu t., oat
ting the full supply OF horses needed
and in short order? Army men say
not. The percentage OF availability to
need is too large. OF course all of the
| available horses are supposed to be at
some remunerative occupation. but
when the Government wants to pay
good money in a hurry the horse
owner can be found almost anywhere
| to take the offer up. The gathering Of
horses at a particular shipping point
is another item Of expense that mounts
| up. Whenever possible the horses are
bought near to the point needed.
| The horse census indicates that be-
| tween the years 1900 and 1913 the
| horse population increased at the rate
| of about per cent yearly. There
| were 13,531.52i horses in the United
| States in 1900, so that the total number
| In 1913 shows an Increase OF 7,O29,476
animals. During the civil war there
| was a systematic breeding OF animals
| in certain sections to meet the demand.
The horse casualty in battle was no
small percentage.
And the army arithmetician sharpens
| his pencil to keep tally of the time
honored friend of the service, the mule.
lie is needed for ambulance and army
| supply service in good numbers. There
| is a Western breed that grows as tall
| as the average horse. and in many In
| stances taller. He can strike gait
| that makes the driver of quarter
masters wagon think he has team OF
| sprinters on the speedway. The mule
| population Is 4,3S6,O00 and its value
| s545,245 600, or greater per head than
that of the horse.
The cavalry recruit is compelled to
get Cquanted with his horse on short
notice. At the recruiting station IN
Chicago, especially during the Spanish
| American war, the routine of breaking
in the coming cavalryman was all bu'
hearthrcaliing. The same procedure in
the main prevails now ut recruitinI
points.
| The recruit was made to understand
at once that he was 10 he the Twin oi
his horse. No allowances We're made
that he might not he naturally as good
a rider as his comrades. He was tolled
off to a horse and then began his
misery.
Bareback he was drilled. No saddle
was permitted, and no stirrups of any
kind until he had shown confidence in
his seat sufficient to hold him there
There was great need of arilca and
cold cream for several weeks. At the
end of that time the recruit cavalry
man was a confident rider, even If h'
were not a fancy one.
All the while he had TO care for his
horse. And this care meant everything
appertaining to the horse. The ANNA
had to he cleaned, rubbed down, fec
and watered. Saddle and bride had Il
be kept spick and span. The horse,
bed had to be prepared and his stal
we'll cleaned out.
The recruit, who may have been I
dry goods clerk and accustomed 4
starChed shirts and collars, found
vast difference. when he 'as FINAL,
pronounced fit to serve his horse edu
cation was completed with regular cav
airy drill. This also took heartbreak
ing work. Alignments must he kept o.
officers would reprimand in "A scorChin,
N.....