Editorial. CAVALRY HORSES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1929, Page 5

Editorial. CAVALRY HORSES.

These are the days of the motor—ear, tractor and tank—and the horse, once the mainstay of an army, is gradually slipping into the background. But the horse is not the useless nonentity that some people think. Cars require passable roads. Tractors need reasonably level ground, and the tank, in war, has its limitations also. But the utility of the horse is greater than all, and it is for that reason that the breed should be kept up, and improved if possible. But what is being done to maintain a steady supply of horses suited for cavalry duties? Very little, it must be admitted. In New Zealand the Government is doing nothing at all; content to leave the perpetuation of the equine race to independent breeders. In Australia some effort is still being made to save the horse from extinction. Thoroughbred stallions have been placed at the service of breeders in all States, but the results have been very disappointing. In Victoria there is Heir Apparent; in South Australia Jolly Maltster; in New South Wales Three Star; and in Queensland Had-I-Whist. ./ And the market for suitable horses is close at hand. The Indian Army needs 3000 horses every year, and the director of remounts for India is not afraid to pay good prices for the right kind. The first necessity is a thoroughbred racing stallion. The dam is not of the same importance. Any stoutly built mare will do, and a light draught as well as any. Dealers in cei’tain parts of Australia are always on the look out for suitable horses and make a good income out of the business. But New Zealand lags behind. Racing alone is responsible for horse breeding, and without this greatly maligned sport it would be a poor lookout for the thoroughbred; Unfortunately, practically all the thoroughbreds foaled in the Dominion are expected to race. The result is disastrous, particularly to those who have to foot the bill for their upkeep. Surely many of them would be better placed, and with less expense to their breeders, in the ranks of the cavalry horses. The tests exacted are certainly severe, but how many superb looking horses do we not see wasted on our courses—rank racing failures —but nevertheless potent military types? Breeding for Army remounts is an industry which should be looked into. There is money in it and its adoption would relieve our racecourses of their congestion of hacks. For the information of breeders the following very complete “points” required of a cavalry horse are published:— “Aged four to five, between 15.2 and 16.1 hands, weighing about 10001 b. Head small and well set on light and moderately long neck; crest firm, mane fine and intact. Ears small, thin and erect; forehead broad and full; eyes large, prominent and tranquil; vision perfect; muzzle small and fine; mouth deep, with firm, thin lips; nostrils large and fine.* Withers elevated, muscular and welldeveloped; long 'shoulders, sloping and well-muscled; full deep chest, broad and plump. Vertical forelegs with elbow large, prominent and clear of chest; knees prominent and wide in front. Short, straight back, well-muscled, with broad loins set straight and short. Large barrel; ribs well arched and definitely separated. Wide, thick hindquarters rounded externally and heavily muscled; tail intact and well carried. Medium-size feet, with smooth horn of fine texture. Easy gait; free and prompt action at the walk, trot and gallop. ” In Australia, it may be added, the above-mentioned thoroughbred stallions are available to breeders at the nominal fee of three guineas. Reasonably good stallions could be secured in New Zealand for 200 or 300 guineas, and at the above fee would pay expenses, besides broadening the scope of the breeding industry, and producing a race of good serviceable horses, suited for remounts or for country needs. “Moturoa.”