The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-05-15
TRAINING TRICK HORSES.
A Professional Trainers Experience In
the Art of Equine I;ducation.


A New York reporter was admitted
behind the scenes of Rarnum's circus
in New York, and saw Carl Antony, the
celebrated horse trainer. put several
horses through the "mill.' Signor Sc
bastiae. trick equestrian. was attircd in
costume, but it was simply to give him
freedom of motion while riding the
spirited steeds. Antony brought for
ward 4 beautiful charger that he had re-
Gently purchased. 1t was handsomely
marked. 1t carried its head like prince,
and displayed little apprehensivencss
at the large banners and ballons, under
which it had to run. In going around
the arena the course in usually toward
the left. Few riders can keep their feet
in the bareback style in the opposite di-
rcction. Riding tradition more than
physical laws make the course toward
the left, although few skilled riders,
like Sebastian, for instance, have
learned TO ride in both directions.
When 4 horse new to the ring is 10 be
broken in, lie must be taught to put his
left foot first every time. In that only
can he preserve that nice equilibrium
necessary for the rider. The horses
back is well rosined, so that the eques-
trian's feet will not slip from the moist
skin of the animal, for a steady foothold
is required for those eXtraordi-
nary acts of horscmanship. Antony
walked around the ring, never taking
his ever-watchful eye from the horses an
instant. and swapping his long whip that
carried obedience with every crack, but
the task seemed too much and it was
abandoned.
During an interval, Antony indulged
in bits Of talk in regard to his profession.
He has noblc-looking countenance,
with dainty dark red mustache, which
he is fond of twirling.
You see, sir" he began, " horses are
like men; some are more intelligent than
others. And there are many grades OF
intelligence, toe. | have n little Ken
lucky thoroughbred that understands
everything. A. it is, he has picked up
all have wished to impress upon his
little wicked soul. Oh, he's a wild one
can assure you,n and he laughed with
peculiar chucklc. American horses
learn quicker than any other STOCK, but
they also forget easier. To-day | may
have no difficulty in getting an idea into
their heads, and tomorrow they will
forget it. This is true, however, only in
the first DAYS of the training. After q
while they become accustomed to their
newly acquired skill and form valuable
portion of your stud. Russian and Hun
rarian horses. on the contrary, arc more
difficult to teach, but when they dc learn
ANYTHING they hold on to it like grim
death. The Trakcne stations that | in
troduce day and night came from En-
pcror Williams stable in Prussia. ]
'broke them myself, and. as they had
| never known halter or stable, of course
they were pretty lively specimens. They
were broke in 1874 and have performed
in the principal cities in Europe. /
could tell you interesting things in re-
gard to training trick horses, but ii IS
with us the same rs physicians-what we
| know is our fortune. Kindness, | lind,
accomplishes more than the whip al
though horse must have wholesome
dread of the latter. Some people are
under the impression it is a difficult
matter to make horses stand on their hind
legs and walk around the ring. I think
| it is one Of the easiest. can make any
good horse do it in two days. 1t requires
assuageness. My father. who is in the
! clly ut present. was conSlucreu 10 VI oli'
ofthe biggest horse breakers in Europe,
and from him learned the art of break
ing horses. Since l was seven years o.
age have been, in some way connected
with horse business. At that early age
my work was confined to riding horses
at breakneck speed At fifteen l entered
the Imperial school in Berlin, where |
| learned great deal about horses and
passed examination successfully. Then
I went to the stables of the Emperor of
Russia, and had the privilege of break
ing for him q magnificent stud. | love
my work and hope to adhere to the pro,
feSsion If you ever 60 into the art said
the horse trainer in conclusion, etmc
tell you that stations make better trick
horses than geldings. They are are more
intelligent. You can begin to teach 4
horse when he is two years old, and if
you take care Of him he will last for y
quarter Of a century"