INTELLIGENCE OF HORSES.

North Otago Times, 22 May 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

INTELLIGENCE OF HORSES.

The intelligence of the horse is nl-j most universally underrated—due, no doubt, to the servile nature of the work to which they are mostly confined; but they maybe as intelligent companions to man as they are useful servants. The ponies of Texas will answer their' master's whistle, and follow him as a dog, The horses of the Arabs, the. cattle ranchers of America, and some military horses will lie quietly on their sides while shots nro fired 'over their bodies. Even Hie English hunter appreciates the art -of hunting no . less than the man on his back, while ' numerous instances are on record where racehorses, after their jockeys have fallen out of the saddle, have gone on and won the event on their own account, though, under the rules, they have not been credited, with the race by the judge. Not one man in n million is suited to the task of training horses in the higher branches of their education. He must be able to put himself, as it were, into the brains of the animals, and to see things with their eyes. He must study their character and disposition, "»d from his 'observations learn the best method of handling them. He must have absolute power over his own movements. It is manifest that the man who cannot control himself cannot control horses. ■ He must possess an unlimited supply of patience, for therein lies the secret of success. To attain all these accomplishments is n life-study, even if it is merely for the .purpose of training horses to perform clever tricks for the amusement of the public. According to Professor Bristol, horses are divided into thrco classes-" mad " ami "mean" and "good;" but for hard work lie says, when they once realise what is expected of them, and for taking an interest in what they do, "mad" horses come first. They take a long time lo train, but not so long as mean, slovenly horses, nnd they have more spirit than " quiet " hoses. They have to be handled carefully, or their character will be irretrievably ruined, Professor Bristol can train ten horses in three or four months; in one season, as many as sixty have passed through his hands and become educated in various cunning acts. The first stage is to place them in line, and teach them to come out when their names are called. Then individually they arc taught their tricks in sight of the other horses, and f.flerwai'ds arc collectively trained in musical drills and other tlilllcult manoeuvres. Every day, until (hey arc proficient, a battle is waged in the training yard, human mind against brute strength. When the horses perform creditably they receive sugar and carrots, and caresses; when they fail, the dainty is withheld until they succeed. On no account must thev bo bullied or severely punished with the whip. As on instance of the patience ol horses, the I Professor relates that on one accasioii he commanded one clover horse he \vti\vwi\ Vo reav.tmA, U\nv ing away, forgot it. When, a tilth! later, he returned, he found it still on its hind legs, and apparently not in the least distressed. Another animnl in the Professor's troupe, at certain signs with the whip 'or vein, will break into any pace, from a gentle mnblc when carrying a lady, to vicious buck-jumping when put to disperse a crowd. It can easily clear four horses at a spring, and has even jumped six. One exceptionally intelligent horse the Professor trained would set a chair and table for its master, and bring him a hook or a ncwspaper.it being marvellous to witness the control the animal possessed over its unwieldl.V bulk. It could keep the balance between two horses on a sec-saw by applying its weight to one side or the other, as necessary, and on a rocker, supported bv a pedestal, would sway backwards or'forwards in evident enjoyment of the motion. With two feet on a barrel, too, it could progress with as much case ns with four on the ground, and even roll the barrel up the heavy plank of n see-saw, and then, carefully and slowly, down the other side. Jt had a -clover little friend in a small piebald horse which played a part with it in a school scene. Another, a white horse, prided itself on its niarkmanship, and the accuracy with which the pistol shots fired reached the target brought him at once into popular favour, In teaching a horse to fire, the pistol is fastened to a pole, and the horse, resting its front feet on a pedestal, is learnt to pretend to take careful aim, nnd then, bv means of a string which is fastened to it, pull the trigger. Others have been taught to eat apples on a plate drink from a bottle, and ring the bell for the waiter. It is rather curious to learn that for tncK purposes mules arc as clever and easily taught as horses. They arc obstinate, it is true, and require careful handling, but they never. Torget what they have learned, and are always reliable.