The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-25
OMNIBUS HORSES.

among the Immense uuWDSI vi NURSES III New
York, there is no class that is subject to labo
nous work than those belonging to omnibus pro.
prietors. They form at least one-seventh of the
whole equine force of our city, and their value is
estimated at about seven hundred thousand dollars
Each animal travels, on an average, twentyfour miles
day oftentnes with full oad--whch in the drivers
vocabulary means seven on side, three or four in
The well, and as many can be induced to run the
risk Of breaking their necks by taking seat on the
top. Many horses unable to stand the hard work.
and break down after two or three months service.
when they are sold for the ordinary purposes of
carting, or sent back to the country again. The
average length Of the life of horse after he is put in
40 omnibus is four years but some have been known
10 last twelve, and fifteen years. Messrs. Kpp
b Brown, who keep about four hundred and fifty
horses, have two, named Boston and Quaker, which
have been employed in stages for more than twelve
years and which are still as good as the best
among their new corners. They had one which
worked for still longer period with them, but
which, from old age than from hard labor, they
were compelled to withdraw from the road Where
IN animal has proved Of great value to his owner
IN this instance he generally supports him after
The owner, If he is right thinking and humane
man. considers himself bound to maintain his
horse during the remainder Of his life. He
gives him his freedom-that means he sends him out
10 the country, and pays for his grazing. There
some who do not consider themselves indebted to
their horses. no matter how valuable they may have
proved but who shoot them when they are no longer
serviceable.
Messrs. Kpp & Brown have special agent, whose
particular business it is to travel through the different
States, and purchase horses for them. These ami
malls never bought trial, the purchaser always
having to the risk. The majority of these horses
are obtained from the Eastern States and this State
which furnishes the largest proportion. Vermont
raises more in proportion to her size than any other
State in the Union, and they have the reputation Of
being hardy and strong though not large,
race Of horses. The price per head Is from
ninety to one hundred and forty dollars, some CON-
xaanding as high as four hundred Occasionally the
agent may purchase, among lot of twenty, two or
three, each Of which would be worth that amount;
but such good luck is very rare. The loss caused by
the breaking down of horses is very considerable,
amounting sometimes to five and six thousand dol
lars yearly. They unable to endure the jolting
on the rough and uneven payements OF our city, and
the straining Of the heavy loads which they are
often compelled to draw. 1t must be remarkably
strong and enduring animal that withstand the
hard labor to which our city horses are sub
jected during the winter time when all the thorough
fares are cut up by miniature mountains of snow.
During.the two or three weeks which followed the
severe snowstorm of December or January last, a
large number of horses were completely used up by
the dilapdated condition to which Broadway was
reduced. Formerly the omnibus propretors received
one dollar each for every dead horse; but that was
while the bone boiling establishments were tolerated
IA the city. Since their removal, however, the state
Ut things in respect to horse flesh has undergone
great change. In 1927, when Messrs Kipp & Bro wn
commenced running the first line Of stages through
Hudson street. they had not than thirty horses;
but the rapid growth Of the omnibus business has
caused of course, corresponding increase of horses
The establishment of the railroads it is said
win have the effect of decreasing the numbers be-
cause ii is argued the cars hold or, we should say
are made to hold three times the number OF passen-
gers that can be crowded into stage Thus one
ear being capable Of containing so many the force
OF horses required must be reduced in proportion.
The railroads have not been sufficient length Of time
in operation, however, to allow correct judgment to
be formed upon this matter; besides if cur courts Of
law do not interfere with the establishment Of others
we don't know what effect their extension through the
sity may have upon the Increase OF horses The Sixth
avenue railroad has not been more than seven E,onths
IN operation and yet extensive has its business be
come, that two hundred and sixty three horses
employed in drawing the In two or three weeks
they will nearly double this number to meet the anti
epated increase Of travel during the Industrial Exhi
oton. new stable is in course of erection for
their accommodation, and agent is at present EN-
poyed In Vermont and New Hampshire in making
sbe necessary purchases. Since this road was open
ed, the company have lost only two horses. and com
paratiyey Few have been SO much injured o. to com
pe the company to part with them Out OF every ten
brought from the country, there is not more than
one on an average, escapes sickness. They have to
undergo sort ofprobation before they arc thorough
ly qualified TO draw rail oar or omnibus. This
aictuess does not last more thar week altogether