THE REMOUNTING OF CAVALRY. 
463 
I am about to propose ; but my experience and investigations, ne- 
vertheless, induce me to declare, that it will, in every way, be 
better to buy at four years old than three, claiming for the four, 
what I think I may be justified in, viz., the character of being six 
months nearer his work than the three, so that he will take just 
half the expense of keep that the three will to place him on an 
equality for use. I therefore propose that £35 (thirty-five) be the 
price, including all expenses, such as delivery at the depot, and 
travelling expenses for the Board. 
I have furnished at the end an elaborate analysis*, shewing the 
first cost to the public of a troop horse purchased, according to the 
present system, at three years old, up to the period he becomes 
effective ; also the cost to the public of the effective services of 
the said horse per annum through the different stages of his ser- 
vice, taking the average at seven years (which is the average for 
the last year’s expenditure), accompanied by a like statement of 
a horse purchased at four years old, taking the average service at 
ten years, which, if well bought at £35, I think probable, and pro- 
bability is generally received as a guide. 
It will appear by these two statements that the four-years-old 
has the advantage throughout, taking him at six months’ keep and 
the three at twelve months. The four years starts £9.. 145.. Id. at 
less cost, and continues year by year less expense for effective- 
ness. I have likewise prepared a comparative view of the first 
cost and expense of re-mounting the cavalry with three years old, 
and the estimated expense of re-mounts purchased at four years old 
at £35, up to the period of their becoming effective troopers 
respectively. Again; placing the three years old at twelve months 
and the four at six, previously to their becoming serviceable; which 
shews an annual saving to the public in favour of the four years 
old, as compared with the threes, of £2646, and a saving in effi- 
ciency of £18,003 per annum. 
Again; I have shewn that by the saving of forage for six weeks, 
which is about the time the Board would require to purchase the 
re-mounts (three weeks in spring and three weeks in autumn), the 
total expenses of the Board and depot would be covered; as by the 
Circular Memorandum, dated Horse Guards, November 12, 1847, 
“ Commanding Officers are instructed to proceed in the purchase 
of a number of horses equal to that of the cast, although the cast 
may not have been sold.” 
Finally, without denying that defects and abuses are inseparable 
from every system, let us look how this may be expected to work. 
First. — The objectionable and middle-class men (dealers) will be 
done away with. 
* The insertion of which, on account of its length, we regret our space 
forbids. 
