Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-08


The Boston Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Animals is doing a good work
We wish its influence might be felt in The
country sometimes, as well as in the city. It's
first duty, however, il seems TO US, is 20 visit
the Superintendent Of streets, or whatever Of
fcer has charge Of the horses belonging to
the city Of Boston, and explain the slow and
protractcd torture occasioued by the use Of
the check-roin," and insist upon its disuso.
The wicked genius Of Nero could scarce
" have devised anything more painful than
| is the use Of the check-ren. He tortured
by fire and sword, but the paugs were soon
over. With the horse, they are constant.
Ten hours in day, and some 800 days in
the year, certain Of bis muscles are drawn
out Of their natural position and kept there
| by pulleys and straps until the pain becomes
almost intolcrable. The poor animal throws
his head first on one side and then on the
other, throws his nose into the air, and tries
in every way to drop his head, in order to
gain momentary relief This whole arrange.
ment is unnatural aud cruel The animal is
constrained by it, IL induces loss Of strength,
disturbs the vital force, and causes painful ac-
ton in the muscles of the neck, head, shout
ders and mouth. When the check-rcin is
loosened the horse alicayS stretches out his
neck and hangs down his head.
How would man look wheeling dead
horse up hill, with his own head tied back by
a strap passed over his shoulders and iasten.
ed to the ends of the whoolborrow handles
This is the position in which he places the
horse, instead Of allowing him the free use Of
his own weight to force along the load
The use Of the check-rein is foolish and
unscientiie fashion handed down to us from
our British ancestors The French, Span.
iards, Germans and Turks do not use it, The
Indians and Spaniards Of South America
who literally live on horseback and are per.
feet horsemen, do not use it.
Let us discard this cruel torture of one o
our most useful and faithful of domestic ami
mails and let the Boston Society take the ini
tiative, and sec that these worse than thumb
screws are taken away from the noble ami
mails employed in the service of the city.
We have plead with them in vain, now W,
hope to see what associated effort will accom-
plish.
Ii is the opinion Of those Of great expe
rence, that pair of horses when freed iron
this useless tackle, and left to step 10 freedom
would plough nearly fourth more land in
day, and with greater ease to themselves, an
less fatigue when the days work was ovel
than where confined in their action by beai
ing-reins.
The empowering idea is, that hors
looks better ewe-neckod and his head throw
into the air. In order TO crafty this FOOLS
within, we are constantly compelling him {
overstrain and oyerexert those very muscle
which should be kept in reserve for extra dii
e fcultes. 1t is a mistake to think that th
check-rein improves a horses appearance, o
that it even prevents a horse from iallin
down In regard to the latter, it has direc
y the contrary effect, by preventing many
one from recovering from stumble.
The check-ren should be abolished. 81
wastes motive power. Its use is unhealthy
=, for it disturbs the otherwise naturally an
o equally distributed vital forces. 1t shorter
c the life of the horse. 1t diminishes his spec
" and losses the free and quick action, so CT
sential TO the animals safety and that of tn
driver" 1t is of no use except to prever
rubbing on the bride or attempting to fee
i when stopping on the road.
n At another time we intend to say SOM
. thing of the use Of winkers," and Of alowir
5 the foretop to flow over the eyes Of the hors
9 with some other comments on the torturng,
c cats and minor animals