30 JUNE 1900, Page 29

A RESERVE OF HORSES FOR THE ARMY. [To TUE EDITOR

OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Referring to your remarks in the Spectator of June 9th

regarding the advisability of supplying farmers with horses on condition of their joining the Yeomanry, it may interest your readers to learn that a similar system had been and is in operation in Austria regarding the cavalry reserve horses.

This system might also be of use for our own cavalry, which is habitually short of horses owing to the expense of their keep. In this country all the horses for the reserves of a cavalry regiment are bought by the military authorities and trained, and after that handed over to farmers and landowners for use under the following conditions :-- (1) They have to be properly fed and cared for.

(2) Once a year they have to be sent up for inspection to the next district town, where they are inspected by cavalry and veterinary officers and certain prizes are given for the best-kept horse.

(3) Once a year the horses have to be given up for six weeks' use and training to the regiment.

(4) After seven years the horse becomes the absolute property of the farmer or landowner.

There are always plenty of applicants for these horses, as, except for six weeks in the year, the farmers have the full use of these horses for their keep. There are, of course, certain regulations regarding unavoidable accidents and illnesses which do not fall to the charge of the farmer, whereas a fine is imposed for neglect and avoidable illnesses. These horses are not only given to farmers under these condi- tions, but also to private individuals in cities, and I know personally of large landowners, both in this country and in Hungary, who have fifty and more such horses in charge.— I am, Sir, Sze., R. HOWARD KRAUSE.

I. Ebendorferstra.sse 10, Vienna.