The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-26
gnaersuu gatslIigeueer.
GLOW Much Does Horse Know ~

or Bartholomew, the successful horse
trainer, one afternoon, as l met him il
the hall where he exhibited his educated
horses. The question may sound like
vague one, but he answered it prompt.
enough.
"About as much as the average man
more than great many. You don't be
love it? Will you give me half an hou
to prove 2"
"But," | objected. "you can teach ;
horse certain tricks, which become {
mere matter of habit, and it proves moth
ing of the horses knowledge"
The professor smiled pleasantly. 81
won't argue with you. Wait. Nellie"
A slight scuhling followed in the stall:
at one side of the stage, and beautiful
little bay mare came trotting up 10 where
We stood. She stepped beside the Pro
fessor, and rubbed her head against his
arm caressingly, gazing curiously at me
the while.
"Bow to the gentleman. Now shake
hands," the teacher continued rs she
nodded her pretty head toward me, and
then lifted her left fore foot.
''Is that the right foot 2" asked the
Professor, reproringly.
One could actually see look of con-
fusion on her intelligent face rs she
quickly corrected her mistake.
"Nellie is like some children. She
can't seem t. distinguish between her
right and left hand" said the Professor,
patting her afiectionately. Now count
one, two, three" he added. Tap, tap,
tap went the iron shod hoof on the stage
"Good" said the Professor. Now get
the gentleman q chair"
| must confess thought this was going
little too far. The tricks she had ex.
hibited were ordinary enough they dis.
played CAREFUL training ,bu. this quiet
request rather surprised inc. watched
10 see what she would do. She trottcd
over to the opposite side of the stage and
in few moments returned, bringing a
chair in her teeth.
"Herc," said Professor Bartholomew,
pointing .c :hc place where he sTantad me
to sit. "Now," he said, "wait until |
bring on the rest of my scholars" and
he crossed the stage, and put his hand on
the swinging door which led to the stalls.
Nellie started to follow him.
why don't you stay with the gentle.
man ?".hc said, quietly, without turning
his head, just as one would speak to
child. Nellie turned obcdenliy, and
came back to my side. must confess
that felt rather embarrassed, and in my
confusion hardly knew how to treat this
little lady y.horse. Sudd ,nly thought of
some candy which I, hhl, in, my pocket,
and soon ~c were getting IN rather finely,
eating candy together.
In the meantime Professor Bartholo.
new had returned, followed by about
dozen horses, who marched solemnly on
the stage, and ranged themselves along
one side. Then came The exhibition.
1t would be impossible to describe all
the performances they went through
marching and connter-marching. dancing
in perfect time to Professor Bartholo.
news whistle, lying down. kncelng,
bowing, jumping-all at the quiet com.
mand OF the teacher. In fact his voice
was 30 low and gentle that it could hardly
be called command; it was more like
n suggestion on his part, with which they
complied readily. ~
One handsome Arabian attracted my
attention, and the Professor at once
called him over to him.
"How do you do, Selim?" said the
teacher.
The nurse bowed.
us that tho way you bow in Arabia ?"
Selim, at once dropped upon his knees,
and touched his forehead to the floor.
The Professor gave him the signal for
getting up. Then turning to me, he
said:
THAT is an extremely difficult feat.
For some reason o horse hates to do it,"
."D0es he understand what you say 2"
] asked.
"Does he not act az if he did ~ was
the Professors answer. Then he contin-
usd: "There is NC doubt .hs. the horses
understand every word ! say to them. l
could SEQ no reason why If horse can
comprehend the meaning Of Whoa
'GloDg,' 'Huddup,' he could not learn
more, SO began to teach two or three,
and SOON had this school around me-"
II notice you speak in such low tone,
whilo 80 many who have to do with hor-
ses seem to think. it necessary. to yell at
the,topof their lungs, 339
sSA horse is not deaf; his hearing Is
more acute than mans, and yelling ut
him only tends to make him harder TO
manage You can lay it down as q Ger.
tain rule that tho louder u man shouts at
G: horse, the, less he knows about horses.
But then half the men who have charge
of horses now should be made to practice
ten years on clothes-horse before they
are allowed to touch live one." =,
"how do you manage 10 tehch them
SO much ?" asked.
The Professor smiled. "Any one with
patience can train horses, and almost any
horse can be trained. The trouble is
that most people have but very little
patience, and great many good horses
are spoiled by half.wit.ed owners who
are not fit to have charge of saw. horse"
But the scholars are becoming restive,
and the Professor said, School 10 tlimisss !
ed" Each horse left his place, came up
to the Professor, aud walked of the
% "Nowa h'6biwF much does horssts know Pq}I
said the Professor, turning to me, and
repeatingsmy own question.
"A great deal moro than some men,
for he knows enough to do his duty
cheerfully, and to the best Of his. ability =
answered, promptly. as I took my leave.
Allan F0'nan in Ha,yers Young 1eo.
pie. s5f Z an