The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1918-08-07
.. S. PRESSING need
FOR CAVALRY HORSES
Not Only For Immediate War Re-
quirements, But For
the Future.

Washington, d. c., July S.-The task
Of horsing Uncle Sans troopers is one
Of the problems of the day. It is not
alone matter of supplying a sufficient
number of remounts for the cavalry
arm of the service for present day
needs. The question of Q reserve Of
the proper type for the future bulks
large in the foreground. Col John 8.
Fair of the Quartermaster Corps has
this most important work in hand for
the Federal Government. Col. Fair is
in intimate touch with horse condi-
tons throughout the United States,
and no man speaks with greater knowl-
hedge Of the country's needs in the mat
ter Of riding horse type. He realizes
that II is from the quick, active fami-
lies Of which the thoroughbred stand
ard bred and Morgan are representa-
tives, that the remount supply must be
drawn. Col. Fairs plea for an acceler-
ated campaign Of remount production
should carry weight with breeders in
every part Of the Union and make
them eager to assist the Government
81 think said he today, that we
we're all beguiled into a feeling Of Sc
curity by the census of 1910, which an
nounced that there were 22,000,000
horses in the United States. 1t 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
terial was exceedingly scarce. Trans
port and gun horses we have in abund-
ance, thanks to the importation of
Percheron and other draught breeds.
but In the matter Of the riding horse,
aimless and purposeless breeding out
side of few regions has reduced our
standard to mediocrity. There has not
been that systematic effort in horse
production which is 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 is that exercised by the breed
ing bureau Of the Jockey Club in New
York State and a similar organization
On more restricted lines In Kentucky.
The only light horse families" re-
sumed Col. Fair, that have been pro-
duced systematically in the United
States for a 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 ad-
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 evo-
luton through which they have passed
the weak have fallen by the way side.
Nature in every breeding venture
gives a certain proportion of failures.
These trials of speed have developed
the heart and lung power Of the ami
mails taking part in them. We will
therefore not have to breed those quail
tiles 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 breed
ing activities for the production of the
thoroughbred, as this is the line upon
which we hope to build a type of cav
airy horse.
''Of the foreign nations now q
war;" resumed Col. Fair, England was
the only country that had not we'll
duction. Her troopers were horsed
largely from the racecourse and the |
hunting field, and these furnished the |
10000 head in the emergency follow
ing the mobilization. Today through |
the generosity of Col. Hall Walker she |
has her own breeding studs under the
control Of an expert and British Off |
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 Ii the same method which Ii in
vogue in France and other Continental
countries.
There seems to Do an idea in sonse
portions of the United States that
mares can not DO worked prior to
motherhood and for some time after
he foals have been bors- Visitors to
France and rural Dgland Sud colts
following their dams about the fields
~ the matrons help to till the soil or
garner the harvest. Moderate work 10
beneficial for mother and offspring.
Another matter upon which the
Ihrmer should be enlightened 10 that
breeding operations may be carried
into the autumn, when most of the
years work has been concluded. II
mother and foal are we'll nurtured and
warmly housed growth will be rapid.
md In some instances as ysarlings
here will be little difference between