The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-07-09
CAVALRY NEEDS
1000 HORSES
England Stripped U. S. Of Mounts
During Boer War


airy division OF the United States ar
nv is practically on foot. A month
ago there was a shortage OF 1000
horses of the desired type for this
branch of the service. orders from
the war department have been re-
ceived at the Fort Reno remount de-
NOT for the immediate purchase of L.
200 horses for service in Mexico. There
were only 700 head on hand at the de-
not, which compels Capt. William S.
Valentine, the commander to enter the
open market for raw. undisciplined
horses which will have to be trained
in the field, handicap which the re-
mount depot was intended to over
come.
Difficulties are added to the situa-
ton by the fact that the preferred light
tvpe of horses for cavalry service is
rapidly disappearing in this country.
In time of peace, the horse equipment
Of the army is about 10000 supplied at
the rate of 1000 a year. A war foot
ing number jump the number to $4,000
10 be followed by a complete new is
sue every six months, or consump-
ton Of from 100000 to 10000 horses
a year.
Stripped v. S. Of Horses.
At the beginning of the Civil war
no cavalry in the world were better
mounted than ours, but in the last
As years the breeding Of draught
horses has practically displaced the
breeding of the light type and during
the Boer war England practically
stripped the United States OF cavalry
horses. Besides, the automobile has
been unfriendly to the saddle type of
horse.
Several years ago congress sane
toned the use of abandoned military
posts as remount depots where horses
of the preferred type, bought i'm the
omen market, could be trained for the
different branches of the army service.
The first remount depot was estab-
lished at Fort Reno in 1908: later sim
liar depots was established at Fort
Keogh. Montana, and Fort Royal, Va.
The depot at Fort Reno is the largest.
III embraces 10000 acres of fertile
land. The old barracks were chang
ed into stables and new stables were
built until the present capacity of
the depot is 1900 horses, which may |
be greatly increased if necessary.
There are 16 pastures of 100 acres
each, equipped with windmills. pumps |
and shelter sheds. The veterinary hos
pal is said to be the most perfectly |
equipped institution of the kind in this |
country if not in the world. Every |
approved phase of modern veterinary |
science has been utilized. A depot |
farm OF 5000 acres is cultivated each
season. the principal crops being al
falfa, kafiir and hay. The hay is cut
and stored in sheds having a capacity |
Of 5000 tons.
Unframed Animals Bought.
Horses are bought in the open mar
ket, the younger being three years
old. Always, however, there is a short
age of horses, though buyers are trav-
cling constantly in sections where the
light type horse is found. Prefer
ably unframed horses are bought.
They are ready for service when four
years old.
Forty or 80 experienced men, mostly
farmers and former cowboys, are en-
ployed in "gentling' the horses. The
purpose is not TO train them in mill
tary evolutions; this is done after
he horses reach the different troops
and regiments. The gentling consists
II rein checking the horse, teaching 1t
20 obey implicitly when commanded
10 move or stand still. and to be
mounted from behind or from either
side.
Harshness or cruelty in any form
s strictly forbidden and trainers are
for violation of this rule.
There is no broncho busting.
The trainers are hardy, patient men,
md they handle their horses as they
would a child. Most horses respond
quickly to this method and show much
Election for their trainers. The train
RS at the start were most civilians;
low enlisted men are doing the work.
\ hospital and a comfortable living
lace are provided for them.
Shortage is Increasing.
But these remount depots have not
olved the problem of remount. The
light type of horse must be bred. In
european countries, especially Prus-
ia they breed horses for army pur-
,oses, but Congress has not yet con-
ented to establish a breeding farm.
August Belmont and Il. b. Cassatt
ent a number of their famous thor
ugh bred stations to Front Royai tor
rec service, Mr.. Belmonts offering
eng Henry of Navarro and Octagon'
The government has options on the
otis when years old. the price to
e fixed by a committee.
Joustop Toy will make its own