110 27TH REPORT, BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



Missouri, and are said to be principally of trotting-bred stock ; some 

 are grade Thoroughbreds. Only about half the horses purchased are 

 accepted by the police department, but the supply firm has no diffi- 

 culty disposing of the others for general purposes. If this statement 

 means anything, it means that, even at a price of nearly $400, it is not 

 an easy matter to get enough horses to supply New York's apparently 

 small demand of To head per year; and it is evident that if, under 

 present conditions, the Government undertook to mount the regular 

 cavalry as well as the New York police are mounted, it could only be 

 done at tremendous cost, if at all. 



For the information of the reader, the New York police contract 

 specifications for saddle horses for 1910 are inserted here : 



SPECIFICATIONS FOR SADDLE HORSES PURCHASED DURING 1910 FOR USE BY NEW 



YORK MOUNTED POLICE. 



The police commissioner reserves the right to reject any or all horses not 

 absolutely sound, or which may be determined by him to be unsuitable for the 

 department service. 



Each horse must remain on trial in the service of the police department for 

 a period of 30 days, during which time he will be used for police service, in the 

 discretion of the officials of the department. He will be so held at the risk of 

 the contractor, and in case of sickness or injury during such trial service, he 

 will be held in like manner for such additional days as may be required to fully 

 develop the capacity of the horse for police service. Any horse failing to meet 

 the requirements during such trial will be immediately removed and replaced 

 as often as may be necessary to procure a horse perfectly satisfactory in every 

 respect. 



All horses to be geldings of good conformation, sound, well broken, prompt 

 and light in movement. They must be handsome animals, bay color, black 

 points, intelligent, tractable, showing breeding and superior class, and in .all 

 respects suitable for the police service as determined by authorized officials. 



Saddle horses must be sound, well bred, of a superior class, and have quality ; 

 gentle and of a kind disposition, with light and elastic mouth, easy gaits, free 

 and prompt action at the walk, trot, and gallop ; free from vicious habits, with- 

 out material blemish or defect, and otherwise to conform with the following 

 description : 



Horses to be gelding, solid bay, with black points, in good condition, from 5 

 to 8 years old, weighing not less than 1,050 pounds and not more than 1,100 

 pounds. 



Height not less than 15 hands or more than 16 hands high. 



Head small and well set on neck; ears small and erect; forehead broad and 

 full ; eyes large and mild, vision perfect in every respect ; muzzles small and 

 fine and branches of under jaw (adjoining neck) wide apart. 



Neck light, moderately long, with crest firm and longer than underside. 



Withers elevated, well developed and muscled. 



Shoulders long, oblique, and well muscled. 



Chest full, deep, moderately broad and plump in front. 



Back short, straight, and well muscled. 



Loins broad, straight, very short, and muscular. 



Barrel large, increasing in size toward flanks, with ribs well arched and close 

 together. 



