The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-09
HOW MAUD $. WAS SAVED.
showing the Power of Uniform Kindness
Over Passionate Brutality.


Counselor Samuel t. Harris, of Cincin.
natl. an enthusiastic writer on horse mat
tiers. in an interesting article in Wal
lace's Monthly, refers to Maud s. in this
style:
81 saw her make the first trial she ever
had. Within three weeks after she was har-
messed, in her three-year-Old form, she made
a fall mile in 800 TO wagon. Blair's face
was sunshine. He then and there predicted
for her a wonderful future. Because, said
he. every time i call upon the baby, al
though 20 green and only three years old,
she steals away from me so easily that she
will trot as fast as she wants to when she
gets age and strength"
Bair has studied her temperament more
assiduously than most fathers seek TO learn
the procivities of their children. She is
willful, high-tempered and imperious. She
resists brute force with a violent resentment
that can not be conquered. She yields to
the power of kindness with the affectionate
sensibility of noble-born gentlewoman
She is ambitious to the degree of rashness
and intelligent far beyond her years and Op
portunities.
No other trainer within my knowledge
either living or dead at all times and under
all circumstances, seems to realize that the
best method of exercising mind over matter
in the horse creation is by the unfailing
When Mr. Vanderbilt sent her back TO hel
old trainer at Chester Park, she was given
public exhibition during the October trot
ting meeting in the presence of specia
party of New York horsemen. She archeC
her back in determined disobedence. and
braced her lower jaw against her neck as
purchase To withstand any attempt to con
troll her, and, with willful frenzy of mao
terror, she plunged and broke and jumped
4 Naffo Ot oil oh
dience. This was not anew revelation 10 al
horsemen who had known her in her colt
hood. She was rank as a raging fire. She
plunged and jumped with made fury. The
grand stand was wel,-illed with curiou.
spectators. There sat Mr.. George Alley and
Mr. Alley Bonner, with their New Yorl
party. watches in hand, evidently disap
pointed at this humiliating performance
Bair blushed with crimson confusion at the
insane nduct OF his frenZied favorite But
heshowed no exhibition OF temper. He wa:
as patient and undisturbed as the Sphinx
lie never resorted TO the cruel treatment Of
many so-called and skillful trainers-that j:
TO coax and bride their horses with sweet
meats in the stable, and on the slightest
provocation undo all this effect by punish.
ing them numerically in public. His con.
duct that day, followedup in his subsequent
treatment. saved Maud S. from ruin and
made her the index trotter of the year Just
passed. He quietly held her, coaNing hel
TO desist, never scolding, or jerking, oil
striking her, till he reached her stable
Even To the door her eyes famed with open
rebellion. There she was embarrassed, amid
gentle caresses, her shoes we're pulled off
and she was kindly led into winter quarters
in the hope that months of recreation
would bring forgetfulness OF disastrous con
tests with her late Eastern driver for the
mastery.
AT Lass the trs9 was drying up, the
spring rains were over and gone, and Maud
s. was quietly led upon the course. Instant
IL the old fury returned. She showed def
ance to the tips of her great ears. But the
same gentle touch and kindly voice re-
assured her confidence, and she became al
last as tractable as little child. How
wonderful is the power OF never failing
kindness
She was not driven at once upon the track,
but led four or five miles, and then quietly
harnessed amid caresses.
III she began to show the least disposition
To renew her unfortunate battles she was not
resisted. for she would certainly have gained
the mastery, but she was quietly walked tn
the stable and put gently away till the next
day, when she was led ten miles before being
harnessed to the sulky. This may seem TO
be too much jogging, but she required vast
amount of judiciOus work Thus her anger
and fears were dispelled thus her conf
dence in her driver became absolute, and
thus her great powers of speed were made
perfectly practical. To-day any one who
can hold steadily the reins without pulling
can drive her with the greatest ease.