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    SMALL HORSES IN WARFARE

    [Illustration: _Frederick Taylor, pinxt._ ON THE ALERT.]




    SMALL HORSES IN WARFARE

    BY

    SIR WALTER GILBEY, BART.


    ILLUSTRATED

    VINTON & CO., LTD.

    9, NEW BRIDGE STREET, LONDON, E.C.

    1900




    CONTENTS.


    HORSES IN THE CRIMEAN WAR
    CAPE HORSES
    PONIES IN THE SOUDAN
    BURNABY'S RIDE TO KHIVA
    POST HORSES IN SIBERIA
    PONIES IN INDIA
    PONIES IN NORTHERN AFRICA
    PONIES IN MOROCCO
    PONIES IN EASTERN ASIA
    PONIES IN AUSTRALIA
    PONIES IN AMERICA AND TEXAS
    ARMY HORSES OF THE FUTURE
    BREEDING SMALL HORSES
    APPENDIX




    LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.


    ON THE ALERT
    BASHI BAZOUK
    ONE OF REMINGTON'S HORSE
    SIX ORIGINAL PENCIL SKETCHES BY HENRY ALKEN
    GIMCRACK


_The present seems an appropriate time to put forward a few facts which
go to prove the peculiar suitability of small horses for certain
campaigning work which demands staying power, hardiness and independence
of high feeding. The circumstance that the military authorities have
been obliged to look to foreign countries for supplies of such horses
for the war in South Africa has suggested the propriety of pointing out
that we possess in England foundation stock from which we may be able to
raise a breed of small horses equal to, or better than, any we are now
obliged to procure abroad._

_Elsenham Hall, Essex, May, 1900._




SMALL HORSES IN WARFARE.


The campaign in South Africa has proved beyond doubt the necessity for a
strong force similar to that of the Boers. Their rapidity of movement
has given us an important lesson in the military value of horses of that
useful type which is suitable for light cavalry and mounted infantry.

Since the war broke out we have seen that we possess numbers of men able
to ride and shoot, who only need a little training to develop them into
valuable soldiers, but our difficulty throughout has been to provide
horses of the stamp required for the work they have to perform. The
experience we have gained in South Africa goes to confirm that acquired
in the Crimea, where it was found that the horses sent out from England
were unable to withstand the climate, poor food, and the hardships to
which they were subjected, while the small native horses and those bred
in countries further East suffered little from these causes. It was
then proved beyond dispute that these small horses are both hardy and
enduring, while, owing to their possession like our English
thoroughbreds of a strong strain of Arab blood, they were speedy enough
for light cavalry purposes.

Breeders of every class of horse, saving only those who breed the
Shetland pony and the few who aim at getting ponies for polo, have for
generations made it their object to obtain increased height. There is
nothing to be urged against this policy in so far as certain breeds are
concerned; the sixteen-hand thoroughbred with his greater stride is more
likely to win races than the horse of fifteen two; the sixteen-hand
carriage horse, other qualities being equal, brings a better price than
one of less stature; and the Shire horse of 16.2 or 17 hands has
commonly in proportion greater strength and weight, the qualities most
desirable in him, than a smaller horse. Thus we can show excellent
reason for our endeavours to increase the height of our most valuable
breeds; and the long period that has elapsed since we were last called
upon to put forward our military strength has allowed us to lose sight
of the great importance of other qualities.

Breeders and horsemen are well aware, though the general public may not
know or may not realise the fact, that increased height in the horse
does not necessarily involve increased strength in all directions, such
as greater weight-carrying power and more endurance. Granting that the
saying, "