338 REMOUNT SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN ARMIES. 



for the military or home use of the holder. When a soldier 

 is "unable to keep his horse he is permitted to transfer him to 

 some responsible party, who assumes the care of the animal 

 under the conditions prescribed for the soldier. After ten 

 years this party becomes the absolute owner of the horse. 



No figures are obtainable at the military department as to 

 the percentage of annual loss, but it is believed that this per- 

 centage is very small, and that a very large proportion of the 

 horses assigned to recruits are serviceable during the entire 

 10-year term of service in the dlite, as well as useful a num- 

 ber of years thereafter. The Swiss are very kindly disposed 

 toward animals and take elegant care of their horses and 

 cattle. The system for the purchase, and treatment of horses 

 for the r^gie at Thun is approximately the same as for the 

 cavalry remount depot at Bern. Greater latitude is allowed 

 in procuring fine horses for officers. Those horses intended 

 for the light artillery are given less training under the saddle. 

 The receipts from the rdgie about balance the expenditures. 



As it owns few horses and keeps those of the army largely 

 in the hands of private citizens, the government has no adopted 

 method as to shoeing. So far as my observation goes the 

 shoes are similar to those in our service. 



There is no government stud under the military depart- 

 ment, but there is one at Avenches under the agricultural 

 department. The purpose of this stud is the improvement of 

 the breed of Swiss horses. Ninety-three fine stallions are 

 kept in the establishment. No mares are kept. The stallions 

 are distributed among the different cantons. The charge for 

 the stallions' services is $1.17 each. 



The government charges to private individuals a nominal 

 duty on imports, amounting to 59 cents per horse and 30 cents 

 per colt. 



When employed in government service, the horses, whether 

 owned by the government or hired from citizens, are each 

 allowed the following ration : 9.9 pounds oats, 9.9 pounds hay, 

 and 6 . 6 pounds straw. The commanding officers of the cavalry 

 remount depot and of the r^gie are allowed to vary this ration 

 for sick horses and those undergoing acclimatization, provided 

 the appropriation be not exceeded. When necessary, bran 

 and molasses may be fed. Compressed forage is seldom, if 

 ever, used. The horses are habitually groomed twice a day. 



