SPECIAL NOTES FOR SPECIAL READERS

Southland Times, Issue 18059, 31 January 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPECIAL NOTES FOR SPECIAL READERS

BREEDING HORSES FOR STYLE AND MANNERS. Australian horses have lately come in for some condemnations remounts. Theyare open, in many instances, to be condemned in other departments. When one notices the horses in the cities he cannot fail to be struck with the weedy character of what pass for carriage, cab, or other "high class" horses. Very few are well shaped, still fewer have proper action ; fewer again have the manners suitable to their condition. These faults are in the breeding, and are due in a measure to the fact that the breeder, while he understands a good deal about a " country " horse, knows very little about a "town" one. The city horse, unlike the farm horse, needs to know nothing of word or voice driving, which training adds much to the value and convenience in farm work. Where the noise and confusion are frequently so great, the tity horse must

Bad action a common fault with alleged carriage

„ horsei. depend entirely on the reins and whip for his instructions. He must know that hia placeisupagainßtthe bit when at work, and must turn and «wing from side to side atthe instant pressure of the rain. He must also be ready to dart forwarder pull Up just as suddenly to avoid the'numberless rushing cars and vehicles often thronging: the streets of traffic and driveways. To do all this successfully and avoid collisions he must learn to keep a straight backbone— that is, not to swi^ his head when making a turn, but turn his whole body, just. as if he were rung on a pivot. He must also know the use of the whip, and not lose liis head and become unmanageable when touched up suddenly to avoid mishaps. All of these must be known and responded to without a syllable from the driver, before the horse is safe and really valuable for city use.