The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-01-12
A Curious Intimacy.
THE MAN WHO SLEEPS IN HIS STABLE AND
UNDERSTANDS HORSE TALK.

There is a retired trainer named Long re-
siding on small farm in Alameda County,
who lives for nothing else but the pleasure
of being near horses. He eats his meals IN
the same stable, often-times passing the
night in the same stall with favorite pony.
and among his equine pets is mare who
winnies in answer every time he speaks to
her. Our informant relates that the most
perfect understanding evidently exists be-
tween Mr.. Long and at least three out OF
the five horses in his stable. Two are re-
cent additions, but even in their case am
nifty is seen in a lesser degree
The training of horses, their obedience.
docility and tricks in circus, are no nov
elty all of us have seen horse fire pis-
tol. stand on two legs, waltz, lie down with
its trainer, and perform a hundred acts OF
sagacity, but these are simply the result o.
patient training and systematic correction.
What Mr.. Long claims is far more astound-
| ing. He asserts that from lifelong IN
timacy with horses, he understands their
speech he goes further and declares that
their nasal, cultural, explodent and unoo-
structed sounds have different meaning,
are used by the coalition of the brain ana
vocal organs, and that not only do his IA
vorite horses understand him, but that every
sound which they utter is perfectly plan %
him. When arguing with him that though
he might comprehend the meaning OF the
sounds emanating from the vocal chords OF
horse, yet it was patent impossibillty Tor
a horse to understand the English language,
he replied: Giving, eating and sleepin
with nv horse has given me the knowledge
, I possess, and the same intimacy mas ac.
ouired for my horses the power for them"
. Here. turning to slender, light-bullt gray
pony. he said, "Billy, we are talkWg OF
, YOU; if YOU understand what l am saying'
turn your head round on the off side" The
:, pony did 50, and then resumed its feed.
''Billy," he continued, tell me your age
how long you haveliv here and on which
:. : side of you is your friend Vesta"' The pony
wninnied for about two minutes consecn-
tiyely. and then, being loose in his stall,
:, walked into the adjoining one, occupied by
the mare Vesta. "Now," he continued,
edo YOU and Billy walk down together 70
y the trough and drink while l make up your
u beds" Vesta and Billy walked quietly Out
;. and proceeded straight to the trough.
:, While they were out, Mr.. Long TUNED
," over the straw carefully with fork, and
V carried on an animated conversation with
- roam gelding about fifteen hands high
Vesta's neighbor on the other side I'm
~ name of this horse was Policy, and after talk
-, ing angrily to him for some minutes aoou
~ some fault he had committed the day be
=" fore. he ordered Mr.. Policy to lie down an'
~ not get up until after Vesta and Billy ha
w returned. Our informant says but little i
- ~ this to prove Mr.. Longs claims, as many
en horse will lie down at the words OF CON
VI mand but when, without word, Pole
arose and walked out to the woter-troug
~, after the return of the other two horses IN
81 subject became as difficult of solution IS o'
fore.