7 



Purchase of Army Remounts. 



counties, by 20 in the eastern, and by 44 per cent, in the 

 southern and south-western counties. 



Another point which is brought out by these figures, and 

 which is probably attributable to the principal corn-producing 

 districts having been more immediately affected by the fall 

 in prices, is that whereas wages were formerly considerably 

 higher in the eastern than in the southern and south- 

 western counties, the position is now reversed. The change 

 occurred somewhat abruptly in 1885. 



Purchase of Army Remounts. 



The following instructions are circulated for information 

 by the Army Remount Department : — 



In submitting horses to be purchased as remounts for the 

 Regular Service in ordinary times, the following points must 

 be remembered : — 



Nothing but young, sound, good-going, fresh-jointed,, 

 promising stock will be taken. 



Age. — From five to six years old. The Government does 

 not look to obtaining a carefully-broken, perfectly-finished 

 good-mannered horse, though a horse showing vice out of 

 or in the stable will not be accepted. 



Height. — Between 15 hands 1 in., and 15 hands 3 in. 



Colour. — Bay, brown, black or chestnut ; no parti-coloured, 

 horses are taken, and those of washy colour will not be 

 accepted. A few greys with good riding shoulders are 

 required for the 2nd Dragoons. 



Tail. — Xo very short-docked horses are purchased. 



Blemishes of a material nature preclude a horse from being 

 bought. 



Soundness in eyes, wind, and limb essential; no stale, 

 upright, or overshooting joints, and no curby hocks admitted. 

 Action must be good and true. 



Classes. — One half of the horses required for the Royal 

 Artillery and Royal Engineers are for riding and the other 

 half for draught. For Cavalry purposes nothing but riding 

 horses are required. Farmers in England and Scotland 



