2 DETERIORATED CONDITION OF 



however, have again written on this subject, 

 had I not lately observed the wretched quality 

 of the horses on which our cavalry are now 

 mounted. This has become so striking as to 

 make it a duty to draw the attention of Govern- 

 ment to the subject. Very many of these 

 horses are unable to carry fourteen stones of 

 weight, even at home, where they are well fed, 

 and exposed to no privations, while on service 

 they will be hard worked, exposed to great 

 privations, and have to carry, on an average, 

 twenty stones of weight when fully equipped 

 for service. 



The horses of the household cavalry are the 

 best, but many are quite unequal to the weight 

 they will have to carry on active service, hav- 

 ing weak loins, a form incompatible with the 

 power necessary to carry a very heavy weight. 

 Even the chargers of the officers, though usually 

 costing much money, are unfitted to go through 

 a severe campaign. Most of them are well 

 bred, but nearly all are characterised by weak 

 forms. 



The incapacity of our cavalry to carry much 

 weight is of little consequence, so long as 

 peace continues ; but when war arrives — and 



