Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-03-16
Ftom the Prairie Farmer

one with the stripes, as per drawing.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. IL, 1914.
Ftom the Prairie Farmer.
We have no doubt that knowledge
Of the fact that the horse is subject to
insanity, might save much needless "a
buse of that animal. The followinS
we find in Youatt.
INSANITY OF TIE HoRsE.-The rea-
der is indebted 10 Professor Rodet,
Of Toulouse for the anecdotes which
follow. A horse, seven years old, was
remarkable for habilual air of stupid
ity, and peculiar wandering express
sion Of countenance. When he heard
any sudden or unusual noise, whether
il was near or at distance, or some
times when his corn was thrown into
the manger without the precau,ion of
speaking to him or patting him, he was
frightened to an almost incredible de-
gree; he recoiled precipi!ately, every
limb trembled, and he struggled violen-
,ly to escape. After several useless
efforts to get away, he would work
himself into the highest degree Of rage,
so that it was dangerous to approach
him. This state ofexcitment was fol-
lowed by dreadful commissions, whi:t
did not cease I'LL he had broken his hal
ter, or otherwise detached himself
from his trammels. He would then
become calm, and suffer himself to be
led back TO his stall: nor would any
thing more be seen but an almost con-
tinual inquietude, and wandering and
stupid expression Of countenance. He
had belonged TO brutal soldier, who
had beaten him shamefulIy, and before
which time he had been perfectly quic.
and iractable.
A Picdmontese officer possessed a
beautiful and in other respects servieea-
bic mare, but which one popularity
rendered exceedingly dangerous-that
was decided aversion to paper. which
she recognized the moment she saw il,
and even in the dark il two leaves
were rubbed together. The effect pro-
duced by the sight or sound Of it was
so prompt and violent that she several
times endorsed her rider. She had
not the slightest fear Of objects that
would tcrrify most horses. She rcgar.
ded not the music Of the band, the
whistling of balls, the roar Of cannon,
the fire Of the bivouacs, or the glitter
ing OF arms. The confusion and noise
of an engagement made no impression
upon her; the sight Of no other white
object affected her; no other sound was
regarded; but the the view or the rust
ling Of paper reused her to mad.
ness.
Another mare was perfectly man.
sgeable and betrayed no aniipathy to
the human being, nor to other animals,
nor to horses, except they were OF
light grey color; but the moment she
saw grey horse, she rushed towards it,
and attacked it with the greatest fury.
II was the same at all times and every
where. She was all that could be
wishd on parade, on the route, in the
ranks, in action, and in the stable; but
if she once caught a glimpse Of grey
or white horse, she rested not until she
had thrown her rider or broken her
halter. and then rushed on her imagin-
ed foe with the greatest fury. She
generally contrived TO seize the animal
by the head or throat, and held him SC
fast tha, she would sufocate him, IL he
were not promptly released from her
bite.
Another mare exhibited no terror
except of white inanimate objects, as
white nantes or coats, and particular
" white plumes She would fly from
them if she could; but if she was una
BILE to accomplish this, she would rush
furiously upon them, strike a, then,
with her fore feet, and tear them with
her teeth.
These instances are selected from
various others because they approach
so nearly 10 VIVA, would De termed in
sanity in the human being. 1t is con-
fined to one obiect-it is a species of
monomsnia. and as decided insanity as
ever the biped discovered. One of
these horses, the second, was BY long
and kind attention Invested Of this
insane terror, and became perfectly
quie, and useful; but the other three
bid defiance 70 all means Of sure, and