view raw text
EXPERT ON ARMY REMOUNT BREEDING. By C. J. Fitz Gerald. London, Ont., December 3. Col. Sir Adam Beck, wiioso hunters won so many trophies during the recent National Horse Show in New York, is re-sKiisible in a great measure for the high reputation the half and three-quarter bred horse of this region of Canada enjoys both at home and abroad, and his interest in the type unquestionably had an influence in his being designated director of remounts for Canada by the British authorities when the war broke out. Sir Adam is a busy man. He is chairman of the Hydro-electric commission having to do with the distribution of the harnessed energy .of Niagara Falls, has imi active working partnership in two industrials at this point and between whiles has found time to supervise the purchasing of 48,000 head of cavalry remount and transport horses for the British army. For play he aids in the making of such phenomenal hunters as Sir Edward Melrose, Sir Thomas and Falmouth, all of which were bred in this region, and serves as a director of the organizations which give the big shows each year at Madison Square Garden in New York and at the Olympla in London, England. When seen a few days ago Sir Adam talked about the remount system, as he would like to see it established in his own country, and while he would not presume to outline a policy for the American authorities his views are so thoroughly in accord witli those of the War Department in the United States that the plan should have the careful attention of all who want to see a better type of army horse produced everywhere on this continent. "My recommendation," said Sir Adam, "called for an establishment of remount depots at three or four points in western Ontario, where the government would place sires in the hands of qualified men under military rule. These horses would be thoroughbreds or horses of the type of AAild Mayo, a registered English hunter sire with only one outcross, presented to the Canadian Remount Department by Sir Peter AValker and imported by mo last year. I would permit the free service of approved mares, and if the government were in a position to do so, I think success would come all the more quickly if they furnished the mares also. "What type of mare would I recommend? Mares of trotting or coaching blood are best for the purpose, but I have seen some of the draught stock witli good shoulders and withers that threw a good type of hunter or army horse. My idea would be to contract to take the offspring, unbroken except to halter, in the fall they were three-year-olds at 00. In order to give the farmer a chance to look for another market in case his colt should not be of the proper army type I would declare at two years. Then the farmer could break the youngster to ride or drive and be ready for the first available customer. Part of the equipment at each station would necessarily be a corps of competent riders and conditioners, and the education of each animal would be along proper lines until the time of issue at rising five years of age. By this method troopers would have no chance of spoiling a mount, which is frequently the case where a green horse falls into the hands of an inexpert horseman. "We sent some good horses overseas," continued Sir Adam, "but during a tour of inspection last spring in France, where I went to establish remount stations, I was greatly impressed with those I saw from other countries, particularly those developed by the French, who, as you know, have spent millions-in horse breeding. They were a truly wonderful cavalry type. The Indian troops were well horsed, too, on animals of Arabian lineage apparently. "But we in this country, and I am sure the same condition exists in the United States," said Sir Adam in conclusion, "must do something if we are to preserve the type of horse which is useful for the army and yet gives a great deal of pleasure to those who like to ride and drive. The British, French and Italian Governments have pretty thoroughly cleaned us up, and unless we make it worth while for the farmer to breed the light horse the situation will be alarming. It is serious already. The small motor car is taking the place of the road horse in rural communities and we are thus losing the ideal mate for our thoroughbred sires. Something must be done to solve the problem."
