44 FOREIGN MARKETS FOR AMERICAN HORSES. 



fell very low; to-day that has changed, and the advent in the United 

 States of an increasing number of purchasers for the European mar- 

 ket has caused breeders to raise their prices; moreover, a good horse 

 in America always has its value. For good carriage horses, when 

 they are stylish and showy, we pay $240 to $280 apiece on the spot. 

 Such as are purchased for from $40 to $60 are plugs, which can only 

 be sold in lots. I repeat that there is no money for us dealers in the 

 common horses. The expense of bringing them over is too great. 

 Note this : The American draft horse in no sense competes with the 

 native. The fact is, French horses over 4 years old are not in the 

 market; when we come across any we never let them slip. Prices in 

 France have not been hurt by American importations. Never have 

 good French horses been as dear as during the past three years. The 

 American horses came in opportunely, at a time when French horses 

 5 or 6 years of age adapted to saddle or harness were not to be had." 

 Mr. Vidal thus summarizes the cost of transportation: 



One must take a week to get together a shipment of horses, during which time 

 the first comers must be cared for and fed. Then there is often delay waiting for a 

 suitable vessel. Boats possessing the necessary requirements are not yet too 

 numerous. Aboard ship there is feed to provide; also medicine, grooms in attend- 

 ance, and a veterinarian. These items all cost money. For loading and unload- 

 ing, and putting on the steam cars on arrival, help must be employed. I sum up 

 expenses, then, as follows: Steamer charges, $30; duty, $6; dock charges, $4; insur- 

 ance at 5 per cent on $200, average, $10; incidental expenses, a minimum of $30; 

 total, $80. 



Then there are losses through accidents, and the horses always arrive much 

 fatigued and need several weeks' rest to get into condition. 



Mr. Vidal purchases all his horses in Chicago and ships them via 

 Antwerp. 



In an interview with Mr. Blanc, in charge of the line service of the 

 General Cab Company, we obtained the following: 



There is a wide choice in the purchase of American horses. Good ones are rare, 

 but among them are some really choice animals, the results of atavism on the side 

 of the European sires. This company has bought Americans only during the last 

 three years, and then in small numbers— this year 450. In all, we have now between 

 70Oand800. Out of a total of 13,500 horses, we have of foreign stock 2,000 Hun- 

 garian, 1,200 Danish, and, as above stated, 700 to 800 Americans. We find the 

 Americans badly broken, and many are rejected on this account; others are ill 

 mated owing to their bad appearance. As a result of careful selection, we have 

 some very good subjects, lacking the tone and action of some of our Percherons, 

 but less dainty and adapting themselves better to economical rations. The Cab 

 Company does not depend upon the American horse as an important addition, 

 owing to its lack of the uniformity of type which the company desires; it is 

 accepted rather as a makeshift. For a horse with style, suitable for the better 

 class of livery service, the Hungarian offers merit at a lower price. He can be 

 had for about $160, while an exceptionally good American is quoted from $240 to 

 $280. It is to be observed also that American horses sold at the public sales of 

 Paris are seldom perfectly matched. 



