The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-07-07
US. STANDARD OF
HORSE IS MEDIOCRE
So Says Col. Fair of Quarter
master Corps, Who Urges
Breeding for RemOunts.

WASHINGTON, July 6.-The task OF
horsing Uncle Sans troopers is one of
the problems of the day. 1t Is not alone
matter of supplying sufficient num-
Der of remounts for the cavalry arm of
the service for present day needs. The
question of a reserve of the proper type
for TIE future bulks large in the fore
ground. Col. John s. Fair of the Quarter
master Corps has this most important
work in hand for the Federal Govern
ment. Col Fair Is in intimate touch with
horse conditions throughout the United
States. and no man speaks with greater
knowledge of the country's needs in the
matter OF riding horse type He real
ICES that 1t Is from the quick active
families OF which the thoroughbred,
standard bred and Morgan are repre-
sentatives that the remount supply must
be drawn. Col. Fairs plea for an ac-
CELEBRATED campaign of remount pro-
duction should carry weight with
breeders in every part OF the Union and
make them eager to assist the Govern
ment.
II thinI." said he to-day, that we
were all beguiled into n feeling of
security by the census Of 1910. which
announced that there were 100000
horses in the United States 1t was not
fact struck home that very large pro-
portion of these were draught breeds
and that cavalry remount material was
exceedingly scarce Transport and gun
| horses we have in abundance. thanks
to the importation Of Percheron and
| other draught breeds but in the matter of
the riding horse aimless and purposeless
breeding outside of a few regions has
reduced our standard to mediocrity.
|
effort in horse production which IS a
feature of the economic development Of
most foreign Governments. notably that
OF France. which IL generally recognized
as a model for the world. The only
helpful influence I know Of that has
! been constant Is that exercised by the
breeding bureau of the Jockey Club
in New York state and n similar
organization on more restricted lines in
Kentucky.
I Only Racers Developed.
THE only light horse families" re-
sumed Col Fair that have been pro-
duced Systematically in the United
States for specific purpose are the
thoroughbred or standard bred trotter.
and these have been developed for rae
| Ing purposes. 1t Is fortunate for this
! country that this should have been
done. as these animals furnish an adj
mirable foundation upon which to build
our war horse structure Both have
been brought to their high state OF
perfection through breeding and racing
tests, and in the process OF evolution
through which they have passed the
weak have fallen by the wayside.
Nature in every breeding venture gives
n certain proportion of failures. These
trials of speed have developed the heart
and lung power OF the animals taking
part In them. We will therefore not
have TO breed those qualities into the
riding horse of the future If we follow
the lines which success has blaZed for
our guidance. l am therefore greatly
in favor Of the breeding activities for
the production of the thoroughbred. as
this is the line upon which we hope
to build type of cavalry horse.
"Of the foreign nations now at war;
resumed Col. Fair. England was the
only country that had not a well
grounded plan for cavalry remount
production. Her troopers We're horsed
largely from the racecourse and the
hunting field. and these furnished the
10000 head in the emergency following
the mobilization. To-day through the
generosity OF Col. Hall Walker she has
her own breeding studs under the control
of an expert, and British officer told
me n few days ago that tho work was
progressing famously. The sires which
are expected to keep up the high
standard of excellence must prove their
right TO reproduce 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.
Great Wastage In Germany.
early in the war when Russia made
her great offensive and penetrated Eas
Prussia said Col Fair in conclusion
the announcement was made that Ger,
many deplored the loss OF 20. 900 choic,
mares from one of its most famous
breeding studs more than any other mis-
fortune connected with the campaign
am ready to subscribe to the sentiment
that such a number of the proper type
of mare would be invaluable to us TO-
day. To Germany. whose horse wastag,
Is greater than that of any otheI
country. they would be priceless. II 1.
more difficult to obtain good mares
than stations, The Jockey Club, II!
chairman. Major August Belmont, +
Ambrose Clark. Henry T. Oxnard ant
many others have donated or loaned I,
the Government for a term of year.
horses Of the tyne to benefit the move