The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-05
Horse Training.

Editor Rutland Globe Our first at
tendance at Mr.. Danforth's exhibition of
his system OF breaking, training aud gene
raj managing of horses was prompted chief
ly by an idle curiosity. We went as did
many others to see what Mr.. Danforth
could do in his special line, not expecting
to derive any special benefit or acquire any
valuable information. We carried there,
we confess, some prejudice sg4inrt what is
commonly knowH as "horse-tlaining
We had witnessed some of these exhibit
tions before and still retained an unpleas-
ant recollection of our impression then,
that in some way the trainer and the horse
had changed places or ought to change.
We remembered the swagger and bravado
of the gentleman of the whip. We had
seen cruelty practiced and needless pain in
flicted on the horse. We had heard slang
in the very latest form and jokes of a much
earlier period. All this and much more
which too often characterizes exhibitions
Of horse-training we still remembered and
1t Was quite natural that we, IN common
with several of our,neighbors who attended,
should feel some aversion to attending q
performance where they might be re-
peated.
But we were most happily disappointed
at MIR. Danforth's exhibition. Not one of
the Objectionable features referred to was
noticed. Nothing Of the marvellous was
attempted; but in quiet and decorous
way MIR. Danforth. Unexplained and illustra-
ted his system of dealing with horses, and
we believe to the entire satisfaction of his
audience. 1t was not an exhibition of a
trained horse-a horse which had been
taught certain tricks and brought out to
perform them. 1t was not a vicious horse,
but one of much spirit and courage, as any
body could plainly see. Mr.. Danforth and
the horse were entire strangers to each
other ut the commencement of the per-
Torrance, but they gradually came to know
each other, and at the end of the hour
seemed to be very good friends. 1t ,eems
to us that Mr.. Danforth's aim was to
show the practical utility of his method of
dealing with horse, rather than to aston.
ish his audience by wonderful or startling
feats, and in this respect he was eminent
ly successful. We shall not undertake
to enumerste the points he made, but
recommend all who have an interest in
horses and their management to attend Mr.
Danforth's exhibitions. And not only
such do we advise to attend, but all, every
body, including the ladies. No one can
fail of hpinu an tarfaine6 op6 inot.uotod -.
these exhibitions. M enc can witness the
Influence of MIR. Dauforlh's treatment on
horse without having his admiration for
him increased, and becoming satisfied that
a horse, even, has intelligence enough TO
understand intelligent treatment.
In fact, what seemed to us the distin-
and browning feature of the exhi-
bition was the attachment which the horse
soon manifested for the man, and his ready
willingness to obey his orders The Gus
tom of regarding horse as brute
and treating him In brutal way
is quite too prevalent and If Mr.. Danforth |
should succeed only in correcting this |
fault we would bid him God speed. We |
do not think it is particularly creditable in |
this age that laws for the prevention of |
cruelty to animals are necessary, and any
effort TO reduce this necessity should be en-
couraged by the people generally. For
this reason then, apart from the benefit to |
be derived from MIR. Danforth's instruction
IN the breaking, biting, shoeing, harness
ing and general management of young
horses we hope he may receive the encour-
agement from the public which he really
deserves.
Thus far we have spoken of his managing
! horse of no extraordinary traits. We
have endeavored simply to impress upon
he public generally the practical value of
lis system perfected by long and honor
'ble experience with horses. But we trust
hat no one will infer that his skill ends
lere. Mr.. Danforth is not q Snowman.
lie regards the fitting Of the great majority
Il horses for the practical uses Of every day
'usiness, of much more importance than
he tanning here and there of some not
d bad specimen, but IL the reader has one
I this latter class, one that is ''terror to
he neighorhood," let him bring himI to Mr..
)anforths' next exhibition and see what
an bA done for him