Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-04-29
afsricultural Department
I. D. r. COLLINS, Editor.
BONNER AND HIS HORSES.

In late number of the Herald of
Health, Professor D. Magner gives an
interesting account of visit to the stables
of Mr. Robert Bonner of the New York
Ledger, whose ten superb horses have
cost him the sum of $4,000. Mr..
Magner says:
Every detail exhibited the most per-
feet adoption and taste. Truly palace
would be more appropriate name for
so perfect and expensive stable. Five
large box stalls on each side of wide
alley; the divisions are 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 opened to admit Joe Elliot" to
his stall, notice there is no manger;
the hay is eaten from the floor. In one
corner is an iron receptacle for feeding
grain. 1t is low, very simple, and con-
venient. The nearer nature is initiated
the better. That | know and often adj
wise. There is more economy and less
trouble to feed from manger than a
rack, yet in nineteen out of twenty sta
bles through the country the manger will
be found so high and extending so far
out over the head that horse of ordi-
nary size must reach up to eat 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 pas
turage would be raised to level with
the head. The proper exercise of the
forelegs and shoulders require this, and
neglect of it is often the cause of weak
knees.
While looking at the floor. Mr.. Bon
ner anticipated my inquiry by saying,
THE floor is made up by a series of
Stats, with spaces between large enough
to allow the passage of water. Beneath
this is water-tight floor, with a pitch
of two inches on one side for drainage,
with the false flooring just that much
higher and thicker on that side
The extra flooring is so constructed
in two sections that it can be raised
from the center both ways, and placed
on edge when removing the accumulation
of objectional matter beneath.
By this time my attention was called
to the occupants Of the other stalls.
Here" said Bonner, sis Princess, Flora
Temples greatest competitor. When [
bought her a short time ago, and placed
her under my treatment. she moved like
a foundered horse this [ knew was the
effect of contraction and bad shoeing.
The result of my treatment is proof of
the correctness of my judgment, as you
see she now moves as freely and natur-
al as any horse. She is little vicious
and we will soon take her in hand if you
wish" Princess looked at me with sus-
picion, but [ soon made her ladyship
submit to a caress. Of an irritable ma
ture, she needed careful handling, and a
little watching, to prevent snap judg-
ment in the way of kick.
The next horse shown me was bay,
four years old, named Startle, one of
the finest modelled horses of his age |
ever saw, and from present accounts he
is the coming horse, he having already
made the fastest time on record by a
horse of his age. ''See what an arm, a
shoulder, loin," said Mr.. Bonner, call
ing my attention to the various points
constituting a good trotter and SO thor
oughly does he seem to have studied
points necessary for speed and endurance
that [ am convinced, he could select a
trotter from large drove.
The next shown me was the peerless
Dexter. Many a man, OF woman either,
would | imagine, feel it an honor to ca
ress this greatest of horses, but like a
true king as he is, he will not permit
any familiarity from stranger; yet
toward his master he seems to evince
the greatest affection, following him
with the docility of the most gentle pet,
while at the approach of others he shows
instant resentment.
Intending to review my visit to the
stable the next morning, | was now con-
Quoted by Mr.. Bonner to his private res
idence. Seated in his library, the top
ic of conversation become that of prices
paid.
] am able to give the prices for the
following named horses.
Dexter $4,000
Pocahontas $4,000
Lantern 6,OOC
Ed Everett 10000
Lady Palmor 5000
Peerless $500
. Bruno $4,000
Joe Elliott 10000
Flatbush Maid 1900
Membrino BERTHE, about $4,000
: Total $4,000
The stable and ground upon which i
was built must have cost at least on,
7 hundred thousand dollars. making al