Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-16
THE HORSE IN RUSSIA.

The bovine breeds, used in Russia for
draught-purposes, are quite remarkable for
size, strength, and docility, and these use
full adjuncts Of civilization are supplement-
ed by the buffalo and camel, both of which
are largely used in Southern Russia 1t is
in the horse, however, that the stock-fan-
cier will find the most interest. The great
est sport the Russian gentleman knows is
fast driving, and he spares neither trouble
nor moneyin gratifying this fancy.3 good
pair of fast trotting horses, OF the Count
Orloff breed, not unfrequently commands
in the market thousand pounds sterling.
These are magnificent animals, invariably
driven without blinkers, for the Russian
coachman says: "Give horse every chance
to look about and examine every object be-
fore him, and he will not shy"
| The noblest breed of horses in Russia Is
found among the Tcher.gess "a Caucasian
tribe) of Great and Little Kabardah.
Brought up in the wild steppe, amid dam
gers and nightly alarms, its apprehensive
sagacity becomes early developed in high
degree. 1t is q fine animal, with strong
spine, powerful Group and thigh, and great
width Of shoulder and chest; the knee-caps
are broad, the hoof as if formed OF iron,
head and neck tolerably light; everything
seems combined to render them trusty, in
defatigable servants to man. The Tchet-
clients, the most ferocious and determined
brigands of the Caucasus (now fortunately
only in small numbers), used to buy their
horses in the Kabardah. Theypick out the
most promising one-year-olds. take them
home, where they are, so to say, received
into the bosom Of the family. They receive
their food when the latter sits down to a
meal, and they often sleep in the same
room. The young children will play with
them, talk to them, and crawl all day long
over and about them; what wonder If the
horse becomes almostas wise as it's MASTER
The young boys VIII sometimes mount him
and gallop over the prairies, but no adult
thinks Of bestriding him before he has fin
ished his sixth year. His bones have then
| become firmly developed, his sinews and
feet are steel, his wind is 1nvincible. He
knows his masters voice and look-nay, he
His nerves have from his birth been finely
tuned to the sound of danger or mysterious
enterprise. 1t knows when its brigand
master is ON an expedition Of risk and I'M
lawful daring. A whispered word sends
him down into the high steppe-weed or
bushes situated near the road at place
where the latter is difficult; where con-
venient ditch is at hand to receive car
riage and its human freight. In breathless
| silence both wait for what may turn up.
| The ears of the Tchetchentsian Black Bess
sfyly move TO every watt Of the light wind,
and before the man can hear the slightest
sound he sees by the demeanor of his steed
that business will soon be at hand. Hank
faint sound of the postal bell Fastened to
the pole of the vehicls) strikes his ear, he
feels for his gun, his pistol, his razor-edged
sword, the large dagger (ti'stchoD and
breathlessly awaits the approach of the
travellers. Not q single thought bestowing
on the probable number or quality Of the
foe, he stands over his horse, which slowly
gathers his feet up beneath him. At last
the moment for action has arrived. The
carriage is just at the right distance from
the ditch or other accidental difficulty OF the
road-a soft touch, and horse and man are
up. With the bound of tiger the horse
pounces upon the leaders, attacking them
with hoof and tooth. Simultaneously the
rider has fred at the driver; mad with ter
Tor, the post-horses have jumped Of the
road, precipitating the carriage in the hole,
and before its inmates have time to feel for
their revolvers, they are eased Of at least
part of their property, and may thank God
they have not broken neck or limb in the
fall. Before they recover from their fright,
| the Tchetchent is already several miles on
his gallop home. Hehasa hard ride before
| uiIi, Iauo hc, dS well DIS Ills QuIQ-
ruped, knows it full well; for tomorrow
there win be an inquiry about where Mu-
khamed, Arsslan Bey, or Moussa, was that
night. With "a calm smile, our bri gand
friend replies to the Russian Grade Match
aluik' question:
| "Where should / have been but here?
| The robbery was committed near the Ak
honskay Stanitzi, one hundred and fifty
versts eighty miles away from here, and
what at nine o'clock; you say. Why, I
was here at twelve, as | can prove and
I could not ride that distance in three
hours"
The officer, up to Tchetchent's tricks,
and anything but satisfied, tur2s to the
steed to discover from her appearance the
| effects of so severe ride; but the nag Is
| quietly eating her corn, and looking as
| contented and playful as if she knew her
masters safety depended ON her brave
bearing.
A Curious Uniformity.