RIDING HORSES. 123 



Equine population comprises more females than males, the 

 small animal of any species is usually the feraale, and in the case 

 of purchase of troopers for Cavalry or for riding animals where 

 specifications of height and price are relatively low, mares form 

 the bulk purchased. The geldings, which are usually the bigger 

 animals, are sold as hunters and chargers, at a much greater 

 price, and if a catalogue of the Eoyal Dublin Horse Show is 

 scrutinized it will be found that the majority of the exhibits in 

 the hunter classes are geldings, the creme de la creme of 

 production. It is also interesting to relate that the majority of 

 hansom-cab animals in London and other towns in days gone 

 by were mares, the reason being that they were smaller and 

 cheaper than geldings, they were quicker and safer on their 

 legs in rounding corners, and moreover they could be trained 

 to hansom-cab work six weeks earlier than geldings. 



A very simple classification of riding horses 3,dopted by our 

 Remount Service at Home is K 1 for Cavalry and E 2 for other 

 riding purposes. Conditions of service or work being so dis- 

 similar in these two classifications, obviously the animal which 

 may be suitable in the latter would not always meet the 

 necessary desiderata of the former. Ability to carry weight 

 and to maintain power and energy under such weight over a 

 more or less prolonged period is the essential factor of a Cavalry 

 Trooper. The weight which an ordinary Cavalry Troop horse 

 must carry is at least 18 stones, comprising the rider (say 

 average weight 10 st. 101b.) saddlery, arms, accoutrements, 

 ammunition, clothing, necessaries, rations and water. To 

 meet requirements a certain degree of height is necessary, and 

 above all, stoutness, robustness and fitness are indispensable, 

 especially when the country to be traversed is heavy with mud 

 and mire. There are very few of our best hunters that have 

 ihe merit of carrying 15 stones. The average height of our 

 British Cavalry Troop horses is about 15"1. Personally, I think 

 that height, except in special instances, should not exceed 15'2 — 

 for the reason that adequacy of ration plays so great a part in 

 War. 



The history of Cavalry in War from very early times, when 

 it formed the chief arm, and certainly the most popular one, the 

 many changes [of its function and employment as necessitated 



