The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-08-07
U. S. PRESSING NEED
FOR CAVALRY HORSES
Not Only For Immediate War Re.
qulrcments, But For
the Future.

Washington, D. c., :; 1.-THE task
OF horsing Uncle Sans troopers is one
of the problems of the day. 1t is not
alone a matter of supplying 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-
lions 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 feeling of Sc.
eurity by the census of 1910, which an
pounced that there were 22,000,000
horses in the United States. 1t was
not until we we're at war ourselves
hat the fact struck home that 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 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 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 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 tc
build our war horse structure. Bott
have been brought to their high state
of perfection through breeding ant
racing tests, and in the process Of evo
tuition through which they have passed
the weak have fallen by the way side
Nature In every breeding venture
gives certain proportion OF failures
These tria,j 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
II we follow the lines which success
has blazed for our guidance. ! an
therefore greatly in favor Of the breed
ing activities for the production of thu
thoroughbred, as this Is the line upol
which we hope to build type of cav
airy horse.
"Of the foreign nations now
war;" resumed Col. Fair. England wa
the only country that had not a we
grounded plan for cavalry remount pre-
duction. Her troopers were horse
largely from the racecourse and tn
hunting feld, and these furnished tn
10000 head in the emergency follow
ing the mobilization. Today throug
the generosity OF Col. Hall Walker sh
has her own breeding studs under tn
control OF an expert and British of
Ger told me a few days ago that tn
work was progressing famously.
The Race Course the IndIspensab
Test.
The sires which are expected
keep up the high standard of exec
lenee must prove their right to repr
duoe themselves. They are tested Il
speed. courage, soundness and bottom
Thb Is the same method which is
vogue In France and other Continents
countries
''There seems to y IN idea In SON
portions OF the United States thu
mares can not DO worked prior
motherhood and for some time aft
che sAsla have been born. Visitors