The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-01-19
rom ' liillilutts Nilsctlllnl
The Horse,

The horse is universally aCknov leGged
TO be- one Of the noblest members Of the an
imal kingdom. Posse. sing the finest SYM
metry, and unencumbered by those eXttr-
mai sppendages which characterize many
Of the larger guadrupeas, his frame is a per-
feet model of elegance and concentrated
energy. Highly sensitive, yet exceeding
ly traotable, proud, yet persevering, natur-
ally Of roaming disposition, yet readily
accommodating himself TO domestic condi-
tons, he has been one Of the most valuable
aids to human civisation-associated with
man in all phases Of his progress from the
Temporary tent to the permanent city.
BY his physical structure, the horse is
fitted for dry open plains that yield sweet
heritage. His hoof is not adapted to the
swamp; and though he may occasionally by
browsing on tender shoots. yet he could
subsist neither in the jungle nor in the for
est. His lips and teeth, however, are ad-
mirably formed for cropping the shortest
grass, and thus he luXuristes whore many
other hcrbivorous animals would starVr,
provided he be supplied with wafer. OF
which he is at all times liberal drinker.
He cannot crush his food like the hippopo-
tamus, nor does he Illuminate like the OK;
lu, he grinds the heritage with peculiar
lateral motion OF the jaw, which looks not
unlike the action Of a milestone. Delight
ing in the river.plain and open glade, the
savannahs of Ameros. the steppes of Asia,
and the plains Of Europe. must be regarded
as his ead.quarters in wild state. There
is doubt expressed, however. as to the ORR
einal locality of the horse. The wild herds
Of Americy are looked upon as the deScen-.
dan,S Of Spanish breeds imported by the
first conquerors Of that continent; those OF
tba I / in a n q 81
procny Of Russian horses ablpdoncn after
the siege Of Of Azoph in 1855; and even
those of Tar,ary are regarded AS coming
from a more southern stock. Naturalists
therefore look TO the countries bordering on
Egypt. as in all likelihood the primitive
place Cf residence Of this noble animal;
aud there is no doubt that the Arabian
breed, when perfectly pure, presents the f.
nest specimen Of horse IN symmetry, DO
ciliiy. and courage. Regarding the horse
rs of A>iatc origin. we now find him asso!
ca,Cd with man in almost every region 81
; the habitable globe. Like the dog. OK,
>l,rp. and r. utiIrTs Of tic brute CrPa-
ton. he seems capable of accommodating
himself TO very different conditions, and AS
>umcS a shaggy coat or sleek skin, size
little inferior to that Of the elephant, or not
larger than that of an English mastiff, inst
as circumstances Of climate and food le-
guiic.
In state Of nature, the horse loves TO
herd with his fellows, aud droves of from
four TO five hundred, or even double that
number, are not unfrequtnly seen, IL the
range be wide and fertile. The members
-, OF these vast droveS are inoll.nsive in their
habits, aud when not startled or hunted, are
rather playful and frolcksomc; now scOur.
IL. q.
mcn'. now suddenly stopping, paving the
: soil, then SnOrtinr. and of straight as an ar
row. or wheeling in circles- making the
ground shake with their wild merrimeht.
II is impossible to conceive n more animat-
: ed picture than sr0up Of wild horses at
play. Their fine figures are thrown into a
:, thousand attitudes; and Is they rear, cur
d, vct,c, dilate the nostril, paw in Guivering
!, nervousness 10 begin the race, or speed a
way with erect name and flowing tail. they
present forms Of life and energy which tho
~ painter may strive in vain 10 initiate. They
/, seldom shift their stations, unless compe He'd
hv failure Of pasture or water: and thus
they acquire n bolGuess and confidence in
: their hauntS which it IL rather unsafe tn
y disturb. They never attack other animals,
however, but always act on the defensive.
Having pas,urcd, they retire either to the
confines Of the forest, or TO some elevated
= uortion Of the plain, and fecline on the
svard, or hang Hsllessly on their legs for
-. hours together. One or more Of their num-
=; her are always awake To keep watch while
-, he rest are asleep, aud to warn them OF
:, approaching danger. which is done by snor-
~ ting lnudly. or ncighing. Upon this signs
y. the whole troop start Ia THEN feet. and eth
-, or rCconnOiur the enemy, ~ fly ell With th'
'. Swirucss VI the wind. followed Nv the sen
,incl ard by the older stations. R,rtr hr'
~ happily described the manner, of herd
w ,urprizcd by the arrival of Mazeyra snd
=, hi, lanting charger ON their past"rcs:--
~ "Ttry s,cp-tlcy ',aI,--lcy sr,f the air.
a. Ga,op lnontnt here and there,
=. Alprlech rene. wheel round and round
n. Then pungirs back vi sudden bound.
Headed by one h.nck mighty ,,ctd,
Who secm'd the patriarch Of his lreeo,
w. Without angle ,pocE or Lair
l., Cfwhic upon his shaggy hide;
u ! h,y suor--,h,y ioan .--rciel --twcfve nsiJe.
Aud backward 10 the forest t'y,
lie Ey in,tlrcl ircm q human eye"
~, They aic seldom 10 he taken by surprise
nj. but iraliarked. the asssilant selt, III GENE
oil victorious, for tie whole troop Unit. !
+. defence oT their comrades, aud either ten
= him TO pieces with teeth, or kick hn {,
49, dealt.
There is n remarkable difference IN IN
~ disposition at the Asa,ic and South Amer
!" lean Mild horses. Those of the iormc
W continent can never be properly ta,nc'
" unless trained very young, but frequenil
W break cui into violent fits Of rage IN aft,
:, life, exhibiting every mark If natural will,
W. uess; while those of America can b
,"' hrcuuh, to perfect obedience, aud even rel
~. dcrcd somewhat docile, within few week
Nv, Nv. nay, sometimes days. II would be diilicn
~" to account for this opposition Of tempe
I'M unless we can suppose that il is influence
'i Ivy climate. or rather To the transmission
,.I domes,icaied peculiar,ies from the orig'n'
",e Spanish stock.
the Nrw PAPER At WAsniseroS.--H sal
-, that Mr.. Dulli,, Of the New Orleans P'cal
the une, and MIR. Gallagher, Of the Richmon
ack tva) Republican, are abon, "Nsroo" 60
dis. Press" They are both able writers, az
EN-. cxneriencsd In the newspaper business.
bon if to be political journal. and sn adyerai
rm. or,he views of General Taylor, the Pre''