8 DETERIORATED CONDITION OF 



the quality of our horses has become much 

 worse. 



Our cavalry horses are not wanting either in 

 speed or breeding, but in strength and consti- 

 tutional vigour. If it were only to reduce the 

 ruinous expense of this force in war we ought, 

 while peace continues, to improve our breed 

 of saddle-horses, enabling them to carry our 

 dragoons, when on service, with tolerable ease. 

 The great wear and tear, and consequent 

 cost of this force in war is a serious evil, but 

 less than that of losing brave men whose lives 

 depend much on their horses maintaining their 

 strength. 



When we reflect on the important services 

 good cavalry, well commanded, may perform, 

 the present deteriorated condition of our 

 cavalry horses calls for all the attention that 

 Government can give to it. A charge of 

 cavalry, while its horses remain fresh, made 

 at the right moment, sometimes decides a 

 great battle. But cavalry, to be efficient, must 

 have its horses equal to the weight they have 

 to carry, for dragoons on tired horses are use- 

 less. 



Our light cavalry, unlike that of the great 



