912 
THE HORSES OF THE PRUSSIAN ARMY. 
As regards the casting of horses in the Prussian army, 
there appears little to note. As in our own service a large 
number are seemingly cast at a comparatively early age, but 
no information is given as to the predominating causes of 
casting. This, as before remarked in these pages, is a point 
upon which information is sadly needed in our own service. 
During the period 1845—69, the number cast annually varied 
greatly. In the last ten years of the period the numbers 
were as follows: 
1860 . 
. 4,152 
1865 
. 4,711 
1861 . 
. 3,491 
1866 
. 42,517 
1862 . 
. 5,219 
1867 
. 23,756 
1863 . 
. 2,849 
1868 
. 8,017 
1864 . 
. 1,617 
1869 
. 4,294 
The average sum realised in the twenty-five years w r as 
about £10 ahead. It was lowest in 1848, £3 10s.; and 
highest in 1859, when 40,000 cast horses were sold, fetching 
on an average £13 apiece. 
In conclusion we give the rates of forage allowed to army 
horses in Prussia, and the weights carried by them. 
According to a regulation of 13th May, 1858, the rations 
for army horses were prescribed as under. 
The horses are divided into three classes: 
1. Those receiving a heavy ration. In this class - are 
general and staff officers’ chargers; commanding officers’ 
chargers and troop horses in the guard artillery; horses of 
officers of the war department and riding establishment; 
horses of Cuirassier regiments; of the regiments of Land- 
wehr heavy cavalry; of the Lieb-gendarmerie; of the Inten¬ 
dance ; and draught horses belonging to the Artillery and 
Train. 
2. Those entitled to a medium ration. All horses of the 
Line and Landwehr Uhlan regiments; and of the squadrons 
of the Landwehr battalions of Reserve regiments. 
3. Those drawing a light ration. In this class are in¬ 
cluded all descriptions of military horses not specified above. 
Since the date of the above order the army ration has been 
increased (in 1867) by a half pound of oats per diem in all 
classes. It now stands thus: 
In Garrison. 
Heavy ration . 9£ lbs. oats ; 5 lbs. hay; 7 lbs. straw. 
Medium „ . 8f lbs. „ 5 lbs. „ 7 lbs. „ 
Light „ . 8 lbs. „ 5 lbs. „ 7 lbs. „ 
it enters the ranks, yet there can be no doubt it is not really so; for the 
animal is well grown and likely to stand more hard work than the English 
trooper, which is put in the ranks generally a year earlier.—G. F. 
