Cowboy Action Shooting Topics > Western Historical Discussion

Cavalry horse question........

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GatCat:
So, the other day I was in Northern California, picked up a local paper. They had a column 'Looking Back". 103 years ago, 1908, "....Army Officers will be in Alturas to buy cavalry horses this week and any mare or gelding is said to be desirable, except grays. The prices paid, $115 and up........".
First off, I was blown away by the price, that must be about 10K in modern times I would guess.
Then, I got to wondering, WHY would they not want grays ????? Any thoughts ????? Anyone recall horse coloration in period paintings ( Remington, etc)?
At that price, no wonder horse thieves were hanged.
Mark

dickttx:
As I recall from reading, the calvary did not like grey's because they stood out, thus no one wanted to be the one riding one.

Dee:
Being one that has been around horses all my life, I would guess uniformity in color, due to Army regulations. HOWEVER! General Robert E. Lee's horse "Traveler" was, I believe a gray, and it is also my favorite horse color.

RockinW:
generally they wanted only sorrels, bays, chestnuts, browns, and maybe blacks were acceptible too. i always figured it was just the uniformity thing,  greys, palominos, paints, etc. have always been less common, so one would have definitely stuck out in a bunch of dark colored ones.

GatCat:
Interesting.....thnks for the replys. What do you fella's thing about the price they were offering?
Mark

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