HORSE SHOWS AND REMOUNTS 417 



wants it to appear at its best, for whilst it should walk with 

 plenty of vigour and fire many a Shire horse is apt to go 

 wide behind, if forced beyond a certain speed. 



In 1908 the Council of the Hackney Society passed an 

 excellent rule respecting the shoes of exhibits, and laid down 

 that no shoe for a horse exceediijg 14 hands may be more 

 than 2 lbs. in weight, whilst for ponies under that height 

 the shoe must not exceed IJ- lbs. That such a rule should 

 be necessary affords the adverse critics of the breed much 

 food for reflection, with opportunity for drawing comparison 

 between action for Show and for real work. 



The mounting of the cavalry in any future war is likely to 

 be a momentous affair, for the supply of suitable horses in 

 the country is greatly depleted, on account of motor- traction 

 having received such an overwhelming impetus since the 

 Boer War was concluded. Moreover, the shortage of horses 

 is likely annually to decrease, as the advent of the motor-car 

 has practically killed the demand for a numerous class of 

 horses suitable for 'buses, tramcars, posting, and general 

 harness-work, and when there is no demand the supply 

 must fall off. In the past the omnibus horses formed a 

 grand reserve to fall back upon, but this has now almost 

 entirely gone. It does not pay breeders to breed especially 

 for the Army at present prices ; nor would the horses be 

 forthcoming if the price was raised, for the numbers required 

 annually in peace time are so very small that the demand is 

 easily satisfied, and the surplus would be left on the breeder's 

 hands. It is of no avail for the Government to register 

 stallions and mares if the breeders find it does not pay them 

 to produce foals. 



According to the leaflet on " Types of Horses suitable for 

 Kemounts," published by the Board of Agriculture and 

 Fisheries, the numbers of horses required by the War Office 

 annually are approximately — 



Cavalry of the Line 1,000 



Eoyal Artillery \ 



Royal Engineers :- ... ... ... ••• 1,360 



Army Service Corps ) 



Mounted Infantry 140 



Total 2^0 



28 



