ARMY REMOUNTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16964, 28 March 1917, Page 7

ARMY REMOUNTS

THE NEW ZEALAND SUPPLY. Major-general .Sir Alfred Robin, Commandant o£ tho Now Zealand Forces, writing in reply to a request by "Sentinel," sporting editor of tho Otago Witness, supplies tho following information on the subject of tho Now Zealand supply of horses suitable for military purposes:— When it was decided that this dominion was to take <111 activo jjart in the war, tho question ol having a suitable supply of iiorses at a reasonable cost was problematic; for although our annual returns showed that a largo number of hacks were in tho country, that was not a sufficient indication as to Jiow many wero suitable for military purposes—i.e., iiaving _ tho neccssary soundneso and weight-carrying capacity. Had a prepared register been available at this' time and for this purpose, it would havo been of very great assistance. However, as purchasing proceeded it soon became evident thai thero was to bo no difficulty in_ securing a full supply at a reasonable price, and what was also extremely gratifying to the Government was the action of many public-spirited individuals in presenting valuable animals direct to tho Government, or linding remounts for men who had enlisted in their district. 'JLliese gut horses aro not included when calculating the average cost of tho horses purchased. 'Method of Purchase. —Men enfisting wero encouragod to bring their own hacks into camp, when, if they wore found suitable and parsed by tho veterinary officer, they wero valued and paid for. By this action many a good horso was secured far below lis market value, as a maximum price was lixed for all classes, which was not departed from, but this had tho advantago of allowing men some liberty in tile selection of their mounts. At tho same tiftio instructions were issued to selected Government officials to purchase. The employment of these saved tho Government the usual commission and agents' fees. Government paddocks wore -used when available for collect--ing, this again saving livery charges between tho time of purchase aud railing to tho remount depot. At this stage agricultural and pastoral associations, racing clubs, auctioneering linns, and even private individuals generously camp to the assistance of tho Government by placing their grounds, yards, and grazing at tile disposal of tho Defence Department. ' Horses shipped.—Tlic total number of horses shipped since the commencement of the war to present date stands at 10,258, the great majority of which were landed at their place of destination in excellent condition, after a voyage of about seven weeks and under conditions which in many instances wero not favourable. Much speculation was indulged in when the Main Body loft New Zealand as to tho probable loss; any figure was quoted, from 5 to SO per cent., l>ut lew, it any, were sanguine onougu to suggest tho actual loss—i.e., 2.9p0r cent., and even this would havo been reduced to at least 2 per cent, but for bad luck upon two transports. "Average Price.—Tho average price paid was-- for flacks £17 Is lOd, and for that or aitillerj' horses £24 10s. This is the actual price paid to tho owners, and it Li important to remember, should an endeavour bo made to judge tho quality of our horses with that of other colonies by the price paid, that wo had no commission or agents' fees to add to tho actual price, the. addition of which often gives an inferior animal an air of respectability. Quality of Horses.—Tho veterinary officer 111 charge of the Main Body has leported that tho New Zealand horses have boon a complete success in Egypt and France (notwithstanding the climatic conditions in ■kS7Pt), m a surprising manner, even when aggravated by sudden changes of feed irom oats and hay to barley and dries. The same officer was also with our troops in k-outh Africa, and he had 110 hesitation in reporting that whilst tho Australian horses used in the South African campaign wero supeuor to thoso of Now Zealand, durin™* •5 s i^ val " le ow Zealand horses wero decidedly superior to the Australian. This ho entirely attributes to careful selection here.

'Remounts.—The question of breeding remounts as a commercial proposition is°one which requires to be approached in a very cautious manner, before a reliable opinion can be offered, conditions having greatly altered during tho past few years. The price of land has gone up out of all proportion to the value of horses, which remains practically stationary, and many of we may term side lines of sales liave disappeared or ..re fast diminishing. At one time a successful breeder could always rely on breeding some animals which would find a ready market, such as a well-matched pair for professional, commercial, or private use; a good buggy pair, or gig horse; even Ins bl.emished animals would sell us packers iiacks, or coach horses. • Motor traction! however, has come to stay, and although wo all regret to see our old friend the horso replaced, we cannot get away from tho fact that men are placing more value upon their time, so that outlets in the direction of securing fancy prices for something good m horses is constantly growing less, and unfortunately these outlets were of considerable importance. What tho future demands for remounts will be ca.nnot bo stated, further than it would appear that horses will remain upon tho establishments of all armies, and the solution of the problem for securing a steady supply of remount's appears to bo solely in the hands of the military authorities. In regard to inducements, which they may bo prepared to offer for tho breeding of remounts, no doubt some system will be adopted containing conditions near to the following suggestions:— "Hacks, rising fivo yearsj old. 14.2 to 15.2 hands high, of good sound colours, bays, brown, black, chcstuut, or iron greys, and able to carry up to 18 stone white or washy colours would be debarred the constitution good, the confirmation satisfactory, and a veterinary examination, to pass at least as practically sound. Good paces are essential; sluggish, vicious, or animals which pull back when tied up arc seriously objected to. A proportion of hacks upon tho heavy side' would do for artillery rides if broken to harness.

" Horses for artillery purposes, live years old, ; 14.2 to 15.3 hands high, practically sound, active, game, and good paces, colouts the same as ior hacks, but in tho case of artillery not only is it desirable to match tho teams for colour, but it is of the utmost importance go match the paces at the walk and trot, otherwise a slow animal would spoil the work of a whole team. Some very useful artillery horses havo been secured bred out of a light draught maro by a thoroughbred sire, and also out of a thoroughbred mare of some substanco by a trotting or hackney she. 1 A fair amount of strength and staying power is required for this work, and most of tho artillery horses bought had previously been used as milk carters, vanners, or ploughers upon light lands."