The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1918-08-08
U. S. PRESSING NEED
FOR CAVALRY HORSES
Net osly Fer immediate War Re-
qulrements, But For
the Future.


OF horslng Uncle Sans troopers Is one
OF the problems Of the day. Il Is not
alone a matter OF supplying a sufficient
number OF remounts for the cavalry
arm OF the service for present day
needs. The question OF reserve OF
the proper type for the future bulks
large IN the foreground Col. John 5.
Fair OF the Quartermaster Corps has
this most important work IN hand for
/ the Federal Government. Col Fair Is
I IN intimate touch with horse condi-
tons throughout the United States.
and no man speaks with greater knowl-
edge OF the country's needs In the mat
ter OF riding horse type. he realizes
that II IL from the quick. active fami-
lies OF which the thoroughbred stand
ard bred and Morgan are representa-
tives. that the remount supply must ba
drawn. Col. Fairs plea for an acceler-
ated campaign or remount produceon
should carry weight with breeders in
every part OF the Union and make
them eager 70 assist the Government.
Il think said he today. that we
were al beguiied into feeling Of Sc
curity BY the census Of 1910, which an
nounced that there were 22.000,00O
horses IN the United States II was
not until we were at war ourselves
that the fact struck home that a very
large proportion OF these were draught
breeds and that cavalry remOunt ma
tsrial was exceedingly scarce. Trans
port and gun horses we have in abund-
ance. thanks TO the importation OF
Percheron and other draught breeds.
but IA the matter OF the riding horse.
aimiess and purDoseless breeding out
side Of few regions has reduced our
standard to mediocrity. There has not
been that systematic effort In horse
production which f. a feature OF the
economic development OF most foreign
governments notably that OF France
which IS generally recognized as
model FOR the world. The only helpful
influence know OF that has been con-
slant f. that exercised BY the breed
ing bureau Of the Jockey Club In New
York State and n similar organization
on more restricted lines In Kentucky.
The only light horse families" re-
sumed Col Fair. that have been pro
States for a specific purpose are the
thoroughbred or standard bred trotter.
and these have been developed for rae
ing purposes II Is fortunate for this
country that this should have been
done. as these animals furnish an adj
mirable foundation upon which "a
build our war horse structure. Both
have been brought TO their high stats
e ~
racing tests. and IN the process Of eyo-
luton through which they have passed
the weak have fallen By the way side.
Nature IN every breeding venture
gives 4 certain proportion Of failures.
These trials OF speed have developed
the heart and lung power Of the AMI
mails taking part IN them We viii
therefore not have TO breed those quail
files into the riding horse OF the future
n we follow the lines which success
has blazed for our guidance. l am
therefore greatly IN favor Of the breed
ing activities for the production OF tha
thoroughbred. as this Is the line upon
which we hope 10 build q type OF cav
airy horse.
cot the foreign nations now az
war" resumed Col. Fair, England was
the only country that had not a well
grounded plan for cavalry remount pro- I
euction- Her troopers were horsed
largely from the racecourse and thu
hunting field. and these furnished tina I
10000 head IN the emergency follow 1
ing the mobilization Today through 4
the generosity OF Col. Hall Walker shs 4
has her own breeding studs under ths 4
control OF an expert and a British off, 1
Ger told me few days ago that the
work was progressing famously.
The Race Course the Indispensable
Test
The sires which are expected to
keep up the high standard OF excel
lence must prove their right to repro
duce themselves. They are tested for
speed, courage. soundness and bottom.
This IS the same method which is in
vogue In France and other Continental
countries.
~rhers seems 70 be an idea In some
portions OF the United States that
mares can not be worked prior to
motherhood and for some time after
the foals have been born Visitors 10
France and rural England find colts
following their dams about the fields
as the matrons help 20 till the soil or
garner the harvest Moderate work Is
beneficial for mother and offspring.
Another matter upon which the
farmer should be enlightened IS that
breeding operations may be carried
into the autumn, when most OF the
years work has been concluded IL
mother and foal ara well nurtured and
warmly housed growth will be rapid.
and In some instances as yearlings
there viii be little difference between
late and early foals. When our cav
airy regiments return from overseas
they will have 10 be rehorsed-
a Patriotic Enterprise