The Washington herald., 1915-07-19
Warns AGAINST
SHIPPING STOCK
Richard T. Wilson, Jr., Would
Keep Blooded Mares
Here.
ENDORSES SCOTS PLEA
Declares European Nations Will Be in
the Market for Breeding Stock
When Present Conflict Ends.
ENDORSES SCOTS PLEA

New York. July 1s-Rchard T. Will
son, jr. president Of the Saratoga Rae
ing Association. and himself breeder
of thoroughbred horses. sounded note
Of warning a few days ago about per
hitting further shipments of desirable
broodmare stock from this country, say
ing in part:
II am much impressed by the plea ut
tered recently by Maj. Gen. Scott of the
United States army for the preservation
of the type OF mare capable of produc-
ing army horses. and Congress should
take action along the lines recommended
by that distinguished officer, whose
knowledge of cavalry requirements
is second to none in the country. The
recent intelligence that Russia during
her invasion of east Prussia dectmated
the splendid stud established by the late
Court Lehnderf, taking in all 10000
broodmares of the highest class, means
that Germany, well as France. Austro-
Hungary and other nations will be in the
market for breeding stock the moment
peace is declared. It is only natural
that this country should be Mecca for
those who want the best. We have a
shortage Of thoroughbred mares because
of the Gripping of racing for the past
seven years, but now that better days
are in prospect we shall speedily remedy
that. There is a lack also of that type
of mares with or without a dash of warm
blood that would throw a troopers mount
II mated with thoroughbred sire. The
question is one which should engage the
attention of the Naional Security
League. whose general call is for pre-
paredness and if they will investigate
the situation they will discover that we
are in a bad way for cavalry remounts
he Far hat ha taff ion, $nr
experiment work in horse breeding by
the United States has been cut from
$4,000 two years ago to half that amount
for the past twelve months" continued
Mr.. Wilson. would indicate a policy
that is not calculated to place this coun-
try in the position it should occupy among
the nations of the world Assuredly
those who are responsible for this poll
cy are not familiar with conditions as
they exist today. and the subject calls
Tor a thorough airing when Congress
Convenes."
Meeting at Saratoga.
In commenting upon the approaching
meeting at Saratoga. which means much
to the farmer and horse breeder OF CEN
trail New York. Saturday always being
Farmers Day Mr.. Wilson said:
The plan of standing thoroughbred
horses throughout New York State
under the control of the Jockey Clubs
Bureau OF Breeding and the offering
of special prizes for the get of the
horses at the various fairs is of great
economic adve ntage to the State. |
While the Saratoga meeting is on
IA rmers take the keenest sort of in
teIest in the horses that are racing, |
and they are quick to pick out the
y pc OF sire that is best suited to cross
with their mares. 1t was somewhat |
difficult to gel them interested at first, |
but now they realize that there Is a
ready market for all the half-breeds
they can produce
We have in view a plan whereby
the farmer will be instructed in the |
manner by which he can most quickly |
turn his horse into money The proper
care and feeding of the mare and foal
is. of course. essential, but the break |
ing and developing of the colt after 1t
has reached three years of age is quite |
arc important 1t is amazing the change |
that a few weeks handling, even by |
an amateur. will make. and the fact |
that half-breeds command a ready sale |
in the autumn OF their 3-year-old |
form is a factor in their favor. the |
farmer realizing that he does not have |
to winter the animal, as would be the
case with a heavier type of horse, |
which cannot be put to work at a less |
mature age
1T is to be hoped" said Mr. Wilson, |
in conclusion. that Congress will
hearken to the appeals of men like
Gen. Scott, who knows the country's |
needs. and that the maximum which |
the government now pays for a g.
year-old cavalry remount will be in
creased from s175 to a figure where
the farmer and horse breeder will be
enabled to place his horse on the
market at a profit We will get more
and better horses under this plan, and
the breeding industry will be stimu-
lated astonishingly. Other countries
are lavish with their money when IT
comes 10 the promotion of horse breed
ing. and some of them give four and
even five times as much as our entire
appropriation for single sire. and
think the money we'll spent. We have
millions for other things that do not
outmeasure our horse interests. This
is a day when we can't afford to let
anybody beat US at anything, and the
time is ripe for action in connection
with the safeguarding Of our horse
interests"