Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-21
The Horse.

New York Societies on :he subject of the
"Horse." We extract some paragraphs
which convey much information in an in
teresting manner:
With regard to the horses OF America, we
learn that large numbers were brought O.
yer by the early Spanish and English dis
coverers. The first were imported by Co.
lumbus on his second voyage, in 1888
The first brought to any territory now
belonging to the United States, were lam
ded in Florida, in 1927 by Cabaca de We
ca. They were allowed 10 run loose du-
ring the dissensions that followed, ,and null
tipiied to an almost incredible extent, es-
pecially in South America. Although the
climate IN South America would seem TO
be suitable for the proper development OF
the horse, as it is Tor cattle, yet ne has
never attained more than secondary imror-
tance. In large wild herds they roam
about, acting IN admirable concert to op-
nose the attacks of wild beasts, who share
the vast wilderness with them. Men have
often fallen victims to their temerlty IN aP'
preaching them, and travellers have ire
ouently found their own horses shake of
their burdens, break away from restraint,
and dash off to meet body of their free
companions. if they happen to meet them;
The natives take !hem with the lasso and
only ride the horses, leaving the mares to
run wild. They make mo attempts to breed,
but catch horse when they need him, and
break him to their use by the most violent
measures. They never bring them to mar
ket, and it is said that foreigner, who was
once riding mare, was so hooted at and
pelted by the natives that he narrowly es'
capped with his life.
The wild horses found in North America
when the West was first explored were
more hardy they were of Spanish extrac-
tion. and had been brought into use by the
natives to great extent, though many
wild herds Of immense numbers still roam
freely over the prairies of our Western ter
ritories. l.,
The race of horses which originated
those now used IN this country, and IN
Canada, were imported from various ma
tions.
In 1909 one horse and six mares were
brought to Virginia from England. In
1925 a few Dutch horses from Holland
were imported into New Netherlands, now
the State of New York. In 1904, M. L.
Escabot brought the first horse into Cana
da. and Nova Scotia, then known by the
India name Of Acadia. The first morse
brought into Massachusetts, was from Eng
| land and was imported by Francis HIg-
ginson, in 1879. In 1878 they existed in
considerable numbers in Louisiana. The
Indians on Red Riverin Texas, used them
in 1890. The early French settlers in ILL.,
nois had them IN considerable numbers In
1850.
The same vessels brought over the first
importations of cattle, sheep and swine, and
thew have increased so as to form most as
tonishing portion of the wealth ofthe couh'
try. ,o- -,
horses may be set down at FIVE millions
worth on an average, sixty dollars apiece
and valued in all at three hundred millions
of dollars. The whole number of horned
cattle is estimated at twenty millions, av'
eraglng twenty dollars, and valued at foul
hundred millions Of dollars.
The number of sheep is twenty-three
millions, at two dollars, equalling forty-sl1
millions of dollars.
The present estimated value OF swine, is
one hundred and sixty millions OF dollars
being thirty-two millions head, worth on
the average FIVE dollars piece.
From the small beginnings | have men
toned, the whole value to this coutry Is
now the immense sum of nine hundred
millions of dollars, and the value OF the
land used for agricultural purposes is three
billion and five hundred million OF dollars,
the whole covering an area, OF about three
hundred and FIVE millions of acres
The Canadian horses are of French orl-
oin. and to this stock we are indebted for
most of the trotting horses of the United
States. 1t is marked peculiarly OF the
Canadian horse that he always trots, as the
Arabian horse always canters, Other
breeds exhibit all the pecuiarties OF move
ment, including the trot, canter,and ameie'
bnt the Arabian horse never trots, and the
Canadian rarely canters. Beside the trot-
ting horse, we are indebted to Canada TOR
many of the most serviceable specimens Of
the cart and dray horse, ofthelr size and IN
the northern part of this State, in Vermont,
and other sections on the Canada llne,they
are met with in great abundance.
The United States do not as have mem
toned, possess anything which can be call
ed native stock, but many Of the horses
found here are superior to any others, ow-
ing to Judgment in crossing breeds, care IN =,
raising, and by close observance OF all
circumstances which will improve good
qualities and correct defects. SO that may
say, without hesitation, and after long OBJ
servation, that they combine all the excel.
lencies of other nations. 1t was supposed
that the horse sent from Morocco to Gene
raj Jackson and the Muscat horses sent to
President Tyler, would materially improve
the American race, but they were small,
thouob lust made, and I think the country
has derived no benefit from their posses
sion.
Much of this excellence is obtained by
changing horse from one section to anoth'
err provided the change of climate is not
one which will have deleterious effect
Thus horse brought from the Western
prairies to the sea side, soon gains in weight,
hover of endurance, and value; and the
same is observed when an Eastern horse is
carried West. A horse with the heaves ta-
ken from New York to Illinois will be cured
of the disease, and l have noticed many
other favorable changes. Still there is al
ways more or less necessity for acclmation,
but iudcious course of management will
result in much good to the horse. The
change, however, will be injurious, if the
new climate is not healthy. Thus, horse