CHAPTER XXIX 

 THE CAVALRY HORSE 



^ I ^HERE is every reason to believe that in the future 

 "*■ a large force of cavalry will always be maintained 

 by the United States Government, and it is extremely 

 improbable that horses for this purpose will be bred 

 in any number by the Government itself. They must 

 therefore be raised by farmers and other private 

 persons. 



What is a cavalry horse? We used to hear of heavy 

 cavalry and light cavalry, the heavy cavalry composed 

 of big men on stout horses and used chiefly for charges 

 against infantry. But the improvements in modern 

 artillery have rendered heavy cavalry of doubtful 

 value for this purpose; and, it seems likely that in the 

 future light cavalry only will be employed. Even light 

 cavalry, however, is light only by comparison; for the 

 light cavalry horse must carry a trooper weighing, say, 

 one hundred and fifty pounds, and at least ninety or 

 one hundred more in the way of blankets, clothing, 

 arms, ammunition, and so forth. The cavalry horse 

 must not only be able to carry this load for long dis- 

 tances, but he must also be tough enough to stand ex- 

 posure and hardship, and to subsist upon insufficient 

 food and water. For this purpose, as most authorities 

 agree, there is required a rather short-legged horse 

 standing not over 15.2, with deep lungs, a short, strong 



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