Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-09-13
AQrtGnltmral.
Kindness to Animals.

Mr.. Editor In reply to the inquiries
Of your correspondent, G. Dunn, "whose
communications | take pleasure in read
ing" would say, think | have known
horses that appeared naturally vicious from
infancy | have also known many to &C.
quirc vicious habits from being teazed and
tormented by those who have the care of
them; and also, at the time they are broke
for service, by attempting to harness and
drive them too hastily, before they are way
wise or know the use of the bit. Take a
child, and before he has learned the al pha-
bet, give him the Bible to read, and if he
does not read it, whip him, and you will as
suredly discourage him, and make him ILL.,
tempered. Just so with the young horse.
On the other hand, let them proceed to
learn gradually, be told and sho'On the right
way when wrong, and commended when
they do right, and your Instructions will be
more impressive and permanent. am free
to acknowledge have seen many contrary
horses brought to subsection by the applica-
ton of the lash, when refusing to start in
harness, &c; yet, i'll my opinion, had they
been induced to start once to work by kind
persuasions, they would much sooner have
forgotten the habit. could relate many
cases in support Of my opinion; however,
let the following one suffice to illustrate my
position.
Five years since, this month, purchas-
ed pony at auction in Boston, for $32 so;
sold in consequence of the owner being
unable to drive her in harness, without a.
buslng her, as we'll as being greatly annoy
ed every day at starting. was myself an
eyewitness, a number of times, of their
use of the lash, and that severely, to in
duce her to start suggested other means,
but was informed that the only way to make
her start was to punish her. As | before
stated, | bought her on the Saturday, and
from then until Monday following, treated
her very kindly, fed her with apples, &c,
a number Of times. and did everything in
my power to win her confidence. | then
harnessed her to my wagon, put did not
attempt to drive her; left her standing till
uoon; ! then gave her water and food, let
ting her remain in the harness. AS ! ansv
she WINS not willing TO start, and being de-
termined to test the value of kindness in
the case, continued 10 feed her at inter-
walls during the afternoon and until lac in
the evening then, when all was quiet, and
the ostlers gone home, got into the wag-
on, manifested my desire for her to start,
which she did, but ather hastily; however,
| drove her several miles out and home.
On my return took care of her myself,
and continued to use her almost daily, to
ride or drive, until the following spring,
without ever having any trouble, or even
striking her once in any manner; in fact,
she became perfect pet. then sold her
to Mr.. VIM. LulI, at the Mason street Rid
ing School, for $Il2,50 where she remain
ed sever al years and gave great satisfaction,
when she became sick and died. could
relate many such cases in support of my
opinion, that kindness, if per,evered in,
will do more than punishment, in remedy
ing the vices, not only Of the horse, but of
other animals.
ROBERT WOOD.
Lowell, Mass, Aug. 10, lS49.