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Show Cavalry Arm of Services Held as Very Important FORT BLISS, Tex., Nov. 8. Increased In-creased demand for cavalry to close up gaps in the American lines caused by rapid re,trcats of German forces ro- called the theory advanced by General Pershing when ho returned from the Mexican punitive expedition as to the best methods of training cavalry horses. hors-es. A cavalryman himself, General Pershing has always held the cavalry arm of the service closest to his heart. When his division was encamped hero it was a long and laborious task to break the necessary cavalry mounts and remounts. Ordered suddenly to pursue Francisco Villa into Mexico, General Pershing was confronted with a shortage of trained cavalry horses to replace those who became saddle sore or crippled on the long desert march . In In Aln..Un His resourcefulness, which has been demonstrated so admirably in France, camo to his rescue. Riding over tho sand hills of western Chihuahua ho evolved the theory that cavalry horses were no different from cavalry men In regard to training. Whore one man, no matter how brave, will hesitate to go on a scouting expedition alone, a detachment de-tachment would be eager for the chance. "Men and horses aro more or less alike in their primary instincts," General Gen-eral Pershing thought. "Why not try the mass plan of training for horses tho same as is done with recruits?" Next day a column of green cavalry horses, broken only to the saddle and bridle, wero taken out to an improvised improvis-ed drill ground and taught the cavalry maneuvers in column formation. Charges, retreats, firing over the horses hors-es heads and all the other lessons In the education of tho cavalry horso wero given that day. When night came these horses were ready for their soldier sol-dier mounts and the training time had been reduced 29 days by General Pershing's Per-shing's plan. All cavalry horses for the expeditionary force were treated in that way during tho Mexican campaign. cam-paign. "Horses like companionship the same as men." Gonaral Pershing-said at the time. "That is why they become so attached to their stable mates and. their masters. The same holds true in battle and horses and men are alike in that they will go In crowds whore they will not go alone."' on |