view raw text
HORSE INDISPENSABLE NATIONAL ASSET. General Bridges Points Out Necessity and Usefulness of Horse in All Branches of Army Service. A few years ago a writer on engineering subjects described the eighteenth century as the "Age of the Dorse," the nineteenth as a period of transition anil enlightenment, and the twentieth century as the "Age of Mechanics." Except as a somewhat expensive, antl at times troublesome plaything, man he affirmed, in the near future would have no further use for the horse. The events of the last two and a half years show, however, that* so far as the horses end being in sight, he still stands as an "indispensable national asset." as an Fnglisb authority puts it. As an illustration, notwithstanding the tremendous number of motor vehicles now used in warfare, the British government has purchased considerably State than a million h rses and 250. MK mules since the beginning of the war. So gre.it an authority as Lord Kittliener. in .lul.v. 1015. writing on the subject of the "Army Keiiioiint" to Lortl Solborne, said: "1 have no hesitation in saying that from a military point of view it is of the utmost importance to secure an ample supply of light -draught antl riding horses of a really good stamp, suitable for artillery anil cavalry work, if the country is in the future to be fully prepared for war. The main difficulty, however, is tpialit.v and to secure this the first requisite is a good supply of high class thoroughbred sires readily available to the small breeder at a reasonable price, together with a corresponding number of good broodmares callable not only of producing a good foal, but also of earning their keep on a farm. I hope, therefore, you will do your utmost to secure the approval of the treasury to tin- adoption of some srhease of state aid. Tiie question is one of military importance, and it is essential that it should be dealt with on large and comprehensive lines antl at the earliest possible date." General Brilger. Glad to Talk on Subject. In seder to secure his viewpoint. General G. T. M. P.ritlges. the chief army representative of the British Commission, who has been at the front continuously sinee the beginning of the war, upon this important subject, was interviewed recently by H. A. Pink, editor of Racing Calendar. General Bridges statetl that he was gted to talk upon such an important topic in which he w is deeply interested, iiitl in speaking of the artillery said: "In the artillery branch of the service the her at is still not only most useful, but in many instances cannot be replaetS by traitors or motor vehicles of any type. Bends are built when possible, but in tin- ease of a rapid advance, teams of eight heavy draught artillery horses drag their guns ove- ground that is obsoiutely impassible to any motor yet invented. In the artillery many light draught Ann ri e.in-bred heme are now used, but tor the long pull the eld-fashioned type of BngUsh Clydesdale and other English working horses seem to yive lie best results. Thej have sine, activity, endurance, weight moving capacity ami courage in plenty, and are seldom si.-k or sorry. The Anglo Norma 11 type of horse used by the Preneh so successfully and the sM-fashl tl English heavy draught horse make the most serviceable artillery horse. Pissa the beginning of the war to il.it • the supply of all tyi.es of hoises has been too small to permit us to he ultra critical as to type. "The us-fuluess of the horse is net confined la artillery ami cavalry. The pack horse, though ae iiip.ving a more humid • position, is none, the los indispensable. Munitions, fsod and water are carried by him into legions where the motor cannot penetrate. How the Cavalry Is Used. As to the cavalry horse today the line may be said to be on" vast trench from tin Channel to Switzerland. Consequently the cavalry at pre seat cannot be used for flank movements, formerly one of its chit f objectives. In rapid BSOVesseUtS to assist in the capture of villages anil to bold them until reinforce astnta are suppled, the cavalry i-quite frequently used. ,s a matter of fact the cavalry today is moaated infantry, most useful on aeeoiint of its mobility, while in some instances tlnir mounts arc aaed to bring infantry to the front in quick order. Bach cavalry brigade is bout armed with twenty four Viekets machine guns on pack. — B — — M every troop having one machine gun, the Lewis preferred when obtainable, anil always rentier a good account of themselves. General Ilaig is a strong believer in the cavalry, antl while today holds it Behind the lines, he will not permit it to be increased. When the German line is finally broken the cavalry will be needed to occupy ami hold advanced ground until the arrival of infantry and artillery reinforcements. The day of the old time cavalry charge has probably passed, but in many respects the cavalry is still a most serviceable branch of the army. "For the officers mount, always an important consideration in the army, the Irish hunter has proved the most suitable ami serviceable, though many officers have used the English thoroughbred anil eraser polo mounts to advantage. This type of horse is usually of good appearam-e anil should show breeding, substance anil bone, and should have been taught to cover rough ground and. if nctessary, jump fences, ditches and trenches. "Somewhere the statement was made that the average life of the horse at the front is ten days. ll.nl this been the ease we should never have been able to supply the losses caused by such mortality. As a matter of fact, about 10 per cent, of the horses brought to the continent by the first expeditionary forces are still alive, anil in better condition than when first shinned across the channel. Value of Government Breeding Stations. "Had England scientifically arranged Government breeding stations similar to those upon which the Preneh ami German Govevusaeats have spent many millions, the supply of horses suitable for army purposes would have been much larger at the beginning of the war than it was and a higher stan-dard of remounts for tin artilbry ami cavalry might have been established. "Since the war began Colonel Hall Walker has generously presented to the English Government his stud at Tully anil forty odd thoroughbred brood mares ami fillies, and Pus. ley has been obtained as a stallion depot for thoroughbred sires. This is a step in the right direction. "In this country, I understand that at Front Poyal. Virginia, and in the Wst. Government breeding stations have been started and that some .1 the most prominent of the breeders ami turfmen of the country, notably Messrs. AURUBt lftl-mont ami 11. 1. Whitney, have generously donated thoroughbred stallions to the Government for this laudable Work. These stations ShSUH serve to set a standard for the artillery and cavalry remount and he of Incalculable value in improving the general breed of army horses. ••Possibly the best of the American horses suitable for army purposes have been purchased by ourselves, the Preach aud Italians, but in this country there must be an almost unlimited supply ready for service after preliminary training. That the thoroughbred is the best foundation for the remount system in any country there tan be as doubt. Ann that the only real proving ground of the thoroughbred is the raee course, every well informed man concedes. Therefore, eacouragesseut should be given to the thoroughbred breeding interests of the country, for so long as racing is punned in this country, thoroughbred sins, which will impart to their progeiM quality, speed, endurance, courage and constitution, will be found in plenty."
