The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1918-08-06
U. S. PRESSING NEED
FOR CAVALRY HORSES
Not Only For Immediate War Re
qulremerts, But For
the Future.


Of horsing Uncle Sans troopers lie one
OF the problems Of the day. It 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 a reserve Of
the proper type for the future bulks
large in the foreground. Col. John s.
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-
edge of the country's needs in the mat
ter of riding horse type. He realizes
that 1t 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
were 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 very
large proportion of these we're 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 feature of the
economic development of most foreign
governments, notably that of France
which is generally recognized as a
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. 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 at
war;" resumed Col. Fair, England was
the only country that had not a we'll
plan for cavalry remount pro
duction. Her troopers were horsed
largely from the racecourse and the
hunting field, and these furnished the
10, 900 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 a 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. |
Ience must prove their right to repro
iuce themselves. They are tested for
speed, courage. soundness and bottom.
This Is the same method which is in
vogue In France and other Continental
There seems to be an idea In some
portions OF the United States that
mares can not be worked prior 10
aud for some time after
he foals have been born. Visitors to
France and rural England find colts
following their dams about the fields
Is the matrons help to till the soil or
garner the harvest. Moderate work is
for mother and offspring.
Another matter upon which the
armer should be enlightened is that
breeding operations may be carried
INTO the autumn. when most Of the
ears work has been concluded. II
mother and foal are we'll nurtured and
warmly housed growth will be rapid.
md in some instances as yearlings
here VIII be little difference between
ate and early foals. When our cav.
Try regiments return from overseas