332 REMOUNT SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN ARMIES. 



depots the colts are kept until 4 years old before being turned 

 over to the regiments. The general staff, infantry, artillery, 

 engineers, carbineers, administrative troops, and medical corps 

 purchase their horses and mules ready for service. The artil- 

 lery has a remount commission consisting of a colonel, lieu- 

 tenant colonel, major, and two administrative officers, with 

 headquarters at Madrid. The civil guard also has a remount 

 commission of its own. To purchase the necessary remounts 

 the commission makes tours through the country. Some 

 remounts are bought abroad. All draft horses for the artil- 

 lery are purchased abroad, principally in Belgium. The 

 requirements of remounts are as follows : Cavalry — age, 2 to 

 4 years; size, 14 to 15f hands, according to age. Artillery — 

 age, 4 to 7 years; size, 15 to 15^ hands for saddle animals, 15^ 

 to 15f hands for draft animals, and 14f to 15i for officers' 

 mounts. Other troops — age, 4 to 7 years; size, 14f to 15f 

 hands (in the civil guard, ISj to 15f hands). The length of 

 service of a horse is reckoned at 10 years. 



The average price paid for horses by the army is $106.15 for 

 2-year-olds, $168.87 for 3-year-olds, $193 for 4-year-olds, and 

 $173.70 to $386 for trained animals. The average value of an 

 Andalusian saddle horse is $289.50, especially valuable speci- 

 mens being $400, $600, and even $800. Light draft horses are 

 sold at $772 to $1,158 per team; heavy horses, which are rare, 

 from $289.50 to $386 each. 



General officers may select and buy their horses from among 

 the cavalry remounts, at cost, but never for less than $241.25 

 each. Field and company officers who are required to have 

 mounts receive them from their regiments, but must pay for 

 them a certain sum, varying according to the grade of the 

 officer, from $38.60 to $135.10. 



