Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-05-09
The Coming Trotter.

The coming trotter will be in height
| fifteen and one-half hands, weigh one
thousand pounds, with the thorough
breds head, wide between the Jaws,
eyes full and brilliant, flashing with
nervous energy, long. strong arms, fat
legs, prominent stiles, length from hip
to hook forty-six inches, coat dark in
color, glowing like the rich tints of pol
ished satin; in motion nineteen feet
every stride-Time 1:35. Don't smile,
dear stranger, for it will be done as
surely as the world lives. 1t may not
come In ten years or in fifty, but the
law OF evolution will as surely bring this
result as that of steam, as a motive
power will be superseded by some
power not now fully known. am an
old man, fast 'falling into the sere and
yellow leaf" 1 have watched and
participated in the training and the
great races of this country since trotting
was first looked upon as a test of a
horses endurance and speed. 1 re-
member when to be known as man
fond of race-horses or of driving a fast
horse, was social ostracism, and no
business man dare to own a horse who
would show ambition enough to keep
once asked to take a hand in q social
game of cards. but declined, stating
did not know the game; with burst of
establishment. the gentleman said
well. you are an anomaly! l always
supposed that man who runs to horses
was necessarily an expert card player.
"1es," l replied, ''or, in other words,
'blackleg.'" Now, as the gentleman
had been educated for minister of to-
Gospel, it was equally strange to NE
that he should be so conversant with
the game, and think il was universally
considered by nearly all society that a
man who spent his time and money in
the pleasure of developing a trotter's
speed was linked with the vices. But
now, how changed.
One of the noblest men in this coun-
try; one who by his industry, intellect
and genius, has made a colossal fortune,
and an honorable reputation-makes
use of his wealth to crafty his Unborn
taste for the horse, and develop him
into. the instrument of pleasure, health,
and the willing slave of his master,
man. Robert Bonner has never low
cred his dignity, and no ones dares to
question his integrity or honesty Of
purpose. His action in this particular
has done much to elevate and foster
that which brings out TO their fullest
extent the powers of the trotter. With
the advent of trotting the thoughtful
brains of some of the best men with
large expenditures of money sought to
develop the capabilities of the horse, to
confine his gait to the trot, and show
great flights of speed. Then commenced
tho evolution.
When l was n boy, the trainer of the
stallion Henry Clay gave him sixteen
miles before breakfast, every day, at a
good stiff gait. Horses then could 90
two or four mile heats, but did not pos
sess so much speed as now. The mod
ern trainer would be looked upon as
crazy if he should work his horses that
way. We have shortened up the work
and distance, bred for years to a GER
| tain standard, cultivated the muscles
where they were needed, given more
play to the shoulders, and action TO the
knees, balanced the form, developed the
brain power, perfected the stride and
opened the stitle action. Look at JAY
Eye See when he is going his best clip.
See that wonderful hook motion, every
| bCuSh Vi VIC SAOuuu lulO the
air like an arrow from the bow.
There are some who do not like orr
present mode of training, saying we
are sacrificing everything to speed.
! Perhaps we are, but we are getting a
| higher order of animal life. The old
stage coach has given away to the
palace car, and the steam engine will
give way in time to that power which
will be as much superior as steam is to
the old coach. With all these changes,
the horse will no longer be needed as
of old. His usefulness as a coacher,
pillow horse or for long journeys will
De obsolete, and make for him new
existence. The amphitheater as large
rs the Coliseum of Rome, will hold its
| thousands to watch the marvellous
flights of speed shown by the Ameri-
can trotter, and the equine hero who
will be crowned with laurel will make
record many seconds below two
minutes. - IetemGque, in Western
SDOTtSnldn.