The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-17
THE THIRTY MUSTI NOS.
why the Tbrcc-II IIundrcd-Miie Wbirlwind
Race against Time was not Made.

Tho three hundred mile race against
time that was TO have been run on Fleetwood
Park course, yesterday, by thirty mustang hors es
was postponed on account Of the weather pre-
dictions obtained at midnight on Monday from
the signal service station in this city. Tho
prophecy that rain storm would pass over the
course was strengthened by a slight shower
that fell an hour previous to the starting
time Of the coaches that were to take
the agent OF tho mustangs and the repro
sentatlves OF tho press to the race track
At about the same time Mr.. G. v. Hand, the
agent, learned from Mr.. T. w. fairfield Super
intendent Of the Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Animals, that warrants had been
taken out and officers deputed for the preyen-
ton OF tho undertaking should II be found that
either injury or pain was involved In the use OF
the bladed bit or heavy spurs that the riders
use, or by tho distance each animal was re-
quired to traverse at its utmost speed in ord or
TO make Its quota OF the 300 miles.
10 convince Superintendent fairfield that
no cruelty would be practscd upon the horses,
Mr.. Hand went with him to the track, where the
animals were corralled and had tho western
riders exhibit their emanship and the yieor
and endurance of the steeds Perilto, Francis,
and Parker, the first named Mexican and tho
last two CallfOrnians, saddied a number Of the
mustangs and rode at a whiflwind gait around
the course. They showed how useful the sharp,
curbed bit Is In bringing to terms frantic half
sary to put II into use. The riders held the
rons lightly IN one hand. and guided the horses
as thoroughly by merely touching one rein or
the other against the animals neck IA English
riders direct their horses by tuggine this way or
that with might and main, while holding the
lines in both hands. They demonstrated d the
superiority OF the Mexican over the English
spurs by showing how, instead OF puDcturing
the horse'o hide, they merely press against It.
Ihey showed, besides that the spurs, which are
made to fasten In the strong borsehair girth
that holds the saddle on, are used to sustain the
riders on their feet. relieving them and chang
Ing the locality Of the horses burden.
After Mr.. fairfield had seen the wiry, restless
mustangs driven past under tue same circum-
stances as those under which they will make the
race, he inspected them and their saddles, ori-
dies, and spurs narrowly, and then expressed
his entire satisfaction.
Peralto, the Mexican, will not ride the horses.
George Parker, Of Nisalia, Cal, has been chosen
Tor the exploit. He Is not better rider than
Peralto, but the latter has wonderful skill at
breaking in and subduing tho mus angs when
they grow restive and rebelious; he will be use
ful In bringing to submission such horses aa M ay
threaten to balk and plunge when their turns as
relays IN the race approach. such animals Pc
ratio will exercise until they are subdued.
The race Is to be run on Thursday, beginning
at A. Nj. and continuing until Z 4. NJ. unless
the weather Is unfavorable. The soil OF the
fleetwood track has a large admixture Of clay,
ana Is easily muddied and made heavy. The
race Is desperate one, and the amounts wa
eered are so heavy ($15,00O on the mustangs and
f25,OO against them that Mr. Hand is not will
Ing TO encounter both bad day and a bad track