246 REMOUNT SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN ARMIES. 



White or gray horses are not bought if the supply of suit- 

 able horses of hardy color is sufficient for the number needed. 



As much as 1,000 francs are allowed for a mule in France; 

 450 francs in Algeria and Tunis. 



Pack mules for the Alpine mountain batteries and Alpine 

 chasseurs a pied are bought in the Alpine region. Mules 

 bought in Algeria and Tunis are chiefly for the train. 



About 250 horses are bought each year in France for use 

 in Algeria and Tunis. No discrimination whatever is made 

 against mares in the purchases. 



At the depots the horses are classified and grouped accord- 

 ing to the arm of the service for which they are intended, 

 after which they can not be changed without a special report. 

 Horses over 5 years are usually delivered to the regiments or 

 batteries in separate lots of 20 or more, as bought, each animal 

 accompanied by his descriptive list. Horses under 5 years 

 are kept at the annexes and sent in one lot to their destinations 

 on October 1 of each year. On arrival at the stations of the 

 troops, the herd is at once looked over by the veterinary sur- 

 geons, who certify to the sanitary condition of the animals, 

 and a copy of the certificate is returned to the issuing depot 

 for file. After the animals have been a month in the hands 

 of the troops, a special report as to their characteristics is 

 made to the ministry of war through official channels. Horses 

 which, after delivery, are found to be unsound or of vicious 

 habits, are pronounced upon by a board of experts and the 

 seller is obliged to take them back and pay expenses. 



Condemnations. — Throughout the regiments and batteries 

 animals may be condemned by inspectors general at any 

 period, although in the cavalry it is usual not to present such 

 animals oftener than once a quarter, and it is customary at 

 such periods to make requisition for animals to replace those 

 which are to be condemned or which have died. Any animal, 

 however, which has come from the remount service within a 

 year and has become unfit for service from any biit accidental 

 causes, must have a special report of the case made to the 

 ministry of war. Cavalry horses which have become unfit 

 for saddle purposes, but which are otherwise still sound and 

 available as draft animals, are reported for transfer to the 

 artillery or to the train, but they must be ascertained to be 

 susceptible of at least two years' additional service as such. 

 All condemned animals are sold within fifteen days after 



