458 
A. A. HOLCOMBE. 
States; and after such inspector shall have certified that they are 
in all respects as required by this contract, they shall be received 
and become the property of the United States.” 
The specifications for the government of inspectors are found 
in General Orders No. 17, from the A. G. O., dated March 1st, 
1876. The requirements are: “ Cavalry Horses.—To be geldings, 
of hardy colors, sound in all particulars, in good condition, well 
broken to the saddle, from (15) fifteen to (16) sixteen hands high, 
not less than (5) five nor more than (9) years old, and suitable in 
every respect for cavalry service. 
“ Artillery Horses.—To be geldings of hardy colors, sound in 
all particulars, in good condition, square trotters, well broken to 
harness, from (15) fifteen to (16) sixteen hands high, not less 
than (5) five nor more than (9) nine years old, and suitable in 
every respect for artillery service. 
“ Mules.—To be strong, stout, compact animals, sound in all 
particulars, in good condition, well broken to harness, not under 
(14) fourteen hands high, not less than (4) four nor more than (9) 
nine years old, and suitable in every respect for the transportation 
service of the army. 
“ When work-horses are to be purchased they should be sound 
in all particulars, fifteen and one-half hands high and upwards, 
strong built, well broken to work in harness, not less than four nor 
more than nine years old.” 
These specifications, or such parts as apply to the animals 
being contracted for, become a part of the contract and presum¬ 
ably are the instructions by which the inspectors are to be guided. 
The height, condition and gaits may be determined by any 
one, as may also the question whether the animal is broken to 
saddle or harness. Which the “ hardy colors ” are, the regulations 
do not say, and I believe the question is left to the individual 
opinion of the inspectors. It seems to be the general practice to 
reject white, dun and cream-colored horses, although it is not gen¬ 
erally elaimed that they are not hardy horses. Major Arnold, 
now of the 6th Cavalry, in his “ Notes on Horses for Cavalry 
service,” says the desirability of color is as follows: “dark bay» 
bay, brown, iron-gray, strawberry-roan, dark sorrel, black and 
