CAVALRY HORSES. 173 



way, witli grass and barn-yard care. They assert that the mischief is ah*eady 

 done, and that it is useless to attempt the training of an animal that has not 

 been oat-fed almost from birth. But this high feeding will require close care. 

 Its tendency is to make bone rapidly, and unless the system is kept clear of 

 impuiities, and the secretory glands are strengthened by compulsory exercise, 

 this rapid formation of the bony element may clog the secretions and produce 

 ring-bone, or some kindred complaint. The English method is to work then- 

 two-year-olds rather too severely. That age is not sufficient to bear the labor 

 of racing. The colt may be gently exercised, say for two hours a day ; one in 

 the morning, and one in the evening. It may be said, however, that the English 

 colt is as mature at two ^.years old, as ours at two and a half, probably on ac- 

 count of the advantages of heavier oats, more succulent hay, and a less varied 

 climate, for it must be known that climate affects all animals very considerably. 

 No better illustration of the fact can be given than that of the English bull-dog, 

 the most savage, vindictive, ill-tempered of all dogs when at home, but which 

 becomes transformed by a residence in Italy to quite a reasonable creature. A 

 few generations bred in Italy suffice to bring forth pups without a trace of the 

 original bull-dog character, save in external formation and appearance. And in 

 this country our organization, derived from our English ancestry, is perpetually 

 at war with the polar frigidity of our winters, and the torrid heat of our sum- 

 mers. There are those who eulogize the climate, but we have sadly lost the 

 erect frames, the red and white complexions, and the sturdy air that belong to 

 the colonists, and are still preserved by our English cousins. 



And, now, to sum up : for a long time it will be necessary to breed and raise 

 horses, especially for the use of cavalry — horses that can go well, carrying not 

 less than two hundred and twenty pounds — the average weight of the trooper 

 with his equipments. This requires a horse of sixteen hands, (live feet four 

 inches,) weighing from one thousand to twelve hundred pounds. He must be 

 strong-backed, sound in the limbs, and with plenty of bone and sinew. His 

 withers must be high and oblique, so as to carry the saddle naturally, and he 

 must have the temper and courage of the thorough-bred. The courage of the 

 trooper depends much upon that of the horse. Brood mares, to produce such 

 stock, should be put, between the ages of five and fifteen, to thorough-bred, well- 

 tried stallions. The colt should be brought to eat oats as soon as possible, and 

 should have two quarts a day until weaned ; .after that four qiaarts should be 

 his allowance, with grass and hay in their seasons. This gives good size ; 

 and, at the end of two years, he may be broken to advantage, both to saddle 

 and harness, and the cavalry drill may commence. 



To procure stallions capable of producing such offspring, it is imperatively 

 necessary that the running race should become a regular institution, and this 

 requires the patronage and authority of the government. 



To make good cavalry horses, then, the first necessities will be a bounty 

 given by government to racing stallions ; liberal appropriation to every club of 

 one hundred gentlemen who Avill contribute a certain fixed sum, the whole to 

 be given in purses for the promotion and encouragement of the running race ; 

 and the introduction and raising of thorough-breds. There might be, too, a dis- 

 criminating tax in favor of thorough-breds laid on the receipts of all stallions 

 standing for service ; and, furthermore, an annual tax upon vehicles of every 

 description, save those used strictly for business purposes. This will tend to 

 drive into the saddle those who now take the air only in pleasure wagons, and 

 to foster a real interest in the production of horses for the saddle alone. 



There should also be an annual agricultural exhibition in each one of the 

 States, when a government premium should be awarded to the best thorough- 

 bred stallion of a fixed standard — the winner not to be allowed to compete for 

 a second premium. 



