Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-05-14
j. s. ARMY FACES
A BIC PROBLEM IN
CAVALRY MOUNTS
Supply Is Inadequate and War
Department Is Working
Hard to Meet the New
Demand.

Fort Keno okld,, May w ic
division Of the United States army is
practically on foot. month ago there
was a shortage of 1000 horses of the de-
sired tyne for this branch of the service.
Orders from the war department nave
been received at the Fort Reno remount
depot for the immediate purchase OF Loo
horses for service in Mexico. There were
only 700 head on hand at the depot, which
compels Capt. William 5, Valentine. the
commandant. to enter the open market
for raw, undisciplned horses, which will
have to be trained in the field, a handi-
cap which tho remount depot was in
tended to overcome.
Difficulties are added to the situation
by the fact that the light type Of horse
for cavalry service Is rapidly disappear
ing in this country. In time of peace the
horse equipment of the army is about
1000, supplied at the rate Of 1000 a
year. A war footing would jump the
number to $1,000. to be followed by com
plete new issue every six months, or a
consumption Of from 10000 to 10000
horses year.
WHY NATION IS SHORT OF
CAVALRY HORSES.
At the beginning of the Civil War no
cavalry in the world were better mount
ed than ours. but in the last forty-fve
years the breeding of draft horses has
practically displaced the breeding OF 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
10
Several years ago Congress sanctioned
the use of abandoned military posts as
remount depots where horses of the
preferred type, bought in the open mar
ket. could be trained for the different
branches OF army service. The first re-
| mount depot was established al Fort
Reno in 1905. Later similar depots were
established at Fort Keogh. Mont, and
Front Royal, Va.
The depot at Fort Reno is the largest
| It embraces 10000 acres of fertile land
The old barracks were changed into
stables and new stables we're built, un-
til the present capacity OF the depot is
1,2oo horses. which may be greatly in
! creased If necessary. There are sixteer
pastures Of 100 acres each. equipped with
windmils. pumps and shelter sheds.
The veterinary hospital Is said to hc
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. \
depot farm OF $500 acres is cultivated
| each season, the principal crops being
alfalfa. kafr and hay The hay Is Gu
and stored in sheds, each having &
capacity of 5000 acres.
FAVOR UNFRAMED THREE-YEAR
OLDS.
Horses are bought in the open mar
ket, the youngest being three years old
Always, however there is a shortage o
horses, though buyers are travelling con
stantly in sections where the light typ
| horse is found. Preferably unframed
horses are bought. They are ready fol
service when four years old,
Forty or fifty experienced men, mostly
! farmers and former cowboys. are EN-
ployed In "gentling" the horses. Thu
purpose is not to train them in militar'
evolution; this is done after the horse
reach the different troops and regiments
The gentl!ng consists in rein-checkinI
the horse. teaching 1t to obey implicitly
! when commanded to move or to stan'
| still, and to be mounted from behind o
| from either side. Harshness or cruelt.
| In any form is strictly forbidden, ant
trainers are discharged for violation o
this rule. There is no bronco busting.
The trainers are hardy, patient men
and they handle their horses as the!
would a child. Most horses RESPOND
quickly TO this method and show mucl
affection for their trainers. The trainer
at the start were mostly civilians; nov
enlisted men are doing the work. hos
pltal and a comfortable living place ar
provided for them.
AID FROM BELMONT AND CASSATT
But these remount depots have no
solved the problem of the remount. Til
| right type OF horse must be bred. J.
European countries, especially Prussia
they breed horses for army purposes, bu
Congress has not yet consented to estah
fishing breeding farm.
August Belmont and f. r. Cassatt sen
number of their famous thoroughbre
stations to Front Royal for free service
Mr.. Belmonts offerings being Henry c
Navarro and Octagon. The governmer
has options on the colts when thre
years old, the price to be fixed by con
mittee.
Meanwhile the shortage continues an
Is increasing.