Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-04-12
$145,5OO FOR TEN HORSES.
A Visit to Robert Bonner's Stables

s145, 500 FOR TEN HORSES. !:
A Visit to Robert Boomers Stables
In the last number of the Herald
of Health Professor D. Magncr
given an interesting account of a
visit to the stables of Mr.. Robert
Bonner, of the New York Ledger,
whose ten superb horses have cost
him the considerable sum of $145,-
500. Mr.. Wagner says:
Every detail exhibited the most
perfect adaptation and taste. Truly
. palace would be a more appropri-
ate name for SO perfect and expen-
sivc stable. Five large box stalls
on each side of wide alley; the
divisions arc about six feet high,
with an iron railing extending
around the top, completely isolating
each occupant from the others, as
we'll as from the gaze of visitors.
As the door is open to admit Joe
Elliot to his stall, I notice there is
no manager; the hay is eaten from
the floor. In one corner is an iron
receptacle for feeding grain. 1t is
low, very simple, and convenient.
The nearer nature is initiated the
better. That l knew, and often ad-
viscd. There is more economy and
less trouble to feed from mangcr
than from rack, yet in nineteen
out of twenty stables through the
country the manger will he found
so high and extending SO far out
over the head that a horse of ordin-
airy size must reach up to cat his
hay, and in SO doing Sits the seed
and dust from it upon his head and
eyes.
Nature has designed the horse to
eat his food from the ground, else
the pasture would be raised to a
level with the head. The proper
exercise of the muscles of the FORE
legs and shoulders requires this, and
a neglect of it is often the cause of
week knees.
While looking at the floor, Mr..
Bonner anticipated my inquiry by
saying, "Thc floor is made up by a
series of Stats, with spaces between
large enough to allow the passage
of water. Beneath this is a water
tight floor, with a pitch of two in
chcs on one side for drainage, with
the false flooring just that much
thicker and higher on that side''.
The extra flooring is so construc-
ted in two sections that it can be
raised from the center both ways,
and placed OH edge when removing
the accumulation of objectional mat.
ter beneath.
By this time my attention was
called to the occupants Of some OF
the other stalls. "Here," said Bon
ner, sis Princess, Flora Temples
greatest competitor. When l bought
her, a short time ago, and placed
her under my treatment, she moved
like foundercd horse; this / knew
was the effect of contraction and
bad shoeing. The result of. my
treatment is proof ofthe correctness
ofmy judgment, as you see she now
moves as freely and natural. "a any
horse. She is a little vicious, and
we will take her in hand when con
venient, if you WISH" Princess
looked at me with suspicion, but;
soon made her ladyship submit to 8
caress. Of an irritable nature, she
needed careful handling, and little
watching to prevent q snap judg
ment in the way Of q kick.
The next horse shown me was .
bay four years old, named Startle
one Of the finest modelled horses
of his age I ever saw, and from
present accounts is the coming
horse, he having already made the
fastest time on record by a horse O.
his age. "Sec-what an arm, :
shoulder, loin," said Mr.. Bonner
calling my attention to the various
points constituting a great trottel
and SO thoroughly does he seem te
have studied the points necessary
for speed and endurance, that l an
convinced he could at 4 glance Sc
lect trotter from a large drove.
The next horse shown me was The
peerless Dexter. Many a man, OF
woman either, would l imagine
feel it an honor to caress this great
est of horses, but like true king
as he is, he will not permit any
familiarity from a stranger; ye
toward his master he seems te
evince the greatest affection, follow
ing him with the docility Of til.
most gentle pet, while at the ap
proach of others he shows instan
resentment.
Intending to renew my visit t,
the stable the next morning, l was
now conducted by Mr.. Bonner t.
his private residence. Seated il
his library, the topic of conversatio1
become that of prices paid.
/ am able to give the prices pait
for the following-namcd horses:
Oexter ................ <33,U0
focahohtas. ......................... SS,OO
lantern. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 6,0
| Ed Everett ~ m