Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-13

PING.
From the New York Tribune
Have time to give you few remarks about
horses? Why. certainly; don't YOU knew man
always has time to talk religion, politics or
'hoss'! You don't expect me to give away any
tricks Of the trade. Well, / shan't-not that
there aren't plenty OF tricks in the horse trade.
but were established here with good reputa-
ton. and We have TO deal squarely; so We leave
the funny business to gypsies and other outside
dealers. We have to study q BUYER often and
humor him good deal especially the chap who
doesn't know any more about a horse than a
horse knows about him. III man really knows
something about horse We can deal with him
comfortably enough. but the chap who only
knows horse-books-hes the daisy to deal
with. He twirls his eyeglasses and asks Latin
questions enough to paraiyZe first-class yete-
linary surgeon. We can ALWAYS pick out the
man who Is buying his first horse-and he's
another daisy He'll pound the horse all over
muss IA, Kid gloves trying TO open his mouth
Tor age MARKS; and then comes the questions:
is he free driver, speedy, gentle II driven by
women OF children? Wal he stand without
being tied? Is he afraid Of bands OF music
steam-cars or whistles? Is he ant to shy or kick
or balk" In fact. he seems to want to buy
cheap horse-anre
You See, it's as hard to find long combine
ton of good traits In horse as il is in q man.
ANY horse that is tough and sound enough to
be a free driver with good speed is pretty sure
to have some little kinks that a horseman
wouldn't mind at all OF course. nobody wants
an outright kicker or otherwise vicious peast
but horse often gets bad reputation through
the Ignorance Of the driver. Take shying, for
instance; horse isn't near as nervous a. most
humans. he quite naturally notices an unusual
object and expresses his surprise by a variation
In gait or a side Jump Now. the first thing
some amateur drivers think il best to do In this
case is to vel! at the beast and give him a slash
or two with the whip. Well. the horse thinks
oh. you may laugh but he does think all the
same--well, he thinks his driver ia frightened
too, and that he has q double reason to be
scared. and perhaps runs away. Who knows.
he may do It with the intention of putting him.
self and driver In place of safety Now, q
horse never SHES without first notifying q
watchfu driver. II a cause 10 In front OF him,
ne VIII throw an ear sharply in that direction: IL
behind, he will point an ear inquiringy back;
then an experienced driver. who ought always
to be on the lookout. at once gets ready to hold
him. and at the same time treasures him with Q
calm, firm, stable word or two that he IL used
to. Yes, sir. any horse that can see is likely to
Shy; and when any one tells you he will not it
will be about as near the truth rs that hostler or
waiter who told Mr.. Pickwick that his horse
wouldn't Shy Ii he yoS to meet a Vaughn load OF
monkeys With their tails burnt off, That's the
funniest horse story L ever read-oh, you've
READ IL, nave you! Good.
Speak OF Furnishing horse; always be care
ful about using whip on a horse you dopt
know; see how differently horses take whip
ping; just like youngsters:-some Will tremble
and lose their spirit. others will become stub
born and balk, spunky one will jump right
out Of your hands. and you might not get him
back time enough to save broken wagon or
head. And here's bad practice You ought to
speak of. tine lighting Of those snappy parior-
matches on wheel-tire; many horse has been
c4- lad ;,,f lat
u very bad practice. falling spark from Q
pipe or cigar has caused many riders broken
bones or bad bruises.
what is the best color for horse7 Well,
that is about as much q matter OF taste O. i'm
portance. To be sure, few persons want q
calico or circus horse, as the boys call them,
nor do they want conspicuous cream-colored
animal. White horses are Objectionable be-
cause they become unsightly In muddy weather.
Sorrels, bays and the darker hues are the most
popular, and they are more easily matched than
hght ones Grays, iron-grays and roans have q
settled reputation for strength and toughnees-
but you might fill big book with conceits and
traditions about the marks aud colors OF horses.
Some traditions have much weight in the eeti-
nation OF horse; one OF the strongest is:
"'Four white feet ana white nose,
Cut on his hide, give him TO the crown
81 suppose that idea about feet has been
men; an old Eastern translation says:
"'One white foot, buy him;
Two white feet, try hint
Three white feet, look well about himi
-Four white feet, do without him.
"The Turks regard white fnrefeet - lucky;
one white fore and hind foot unlucky.
do l think the clipping Of horses crnelf
Well, 1t depends upon the horse and also on the
owner. A sound, strong horse that 10 driven
for pleasure only. that can be given me feed,
careful grooming. heavy blankets end . tight
stable wouldn't be apt to suffer badly. He
really does dry OF better after speeding than an
unclipped horse In cold weather under such
think it's q mistake to clip
the average working horse"
billiard tournament will Be- held IN New
York, commencing April 10th next sexton,
schaefer, Dion and Daily have already entered.
Albert Victor, con OF the Prince Of Wales WIN
Is soon to visit this country, win celebrate his
twenty.nrst birthday on January 8. the annIver.
sary Of General Jackson's capture q New
Orieans