The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-07-22
CRUEL CHECKING.
The Symptoms and Sad Effects OF an Tn.
pardonable Practice.

The Symptoms and Sad Effects OF an I'm
pardonable Practice.
Overnight checking is cruel prac-
tice, the excuse for which is that it lin
proves the style of the horse" But it
must be evident that when the head is
elevated higher than nature intended
the center of grayitation is interrupted.
thus unbalancing the poor animal, md
necessarily producing ungra ceful car
riage as well as physical injury. If
the check is necessary to secure a high
head, the resting continually into the
check from ten to fifty pounds presents
an unseemly appearance of both
head and neck. Ii horse does not
press into the check, of course he needs
no check. But, in consequence of this
unbalanced state, many awkward
moves are made, such rs stumbling,
very annoying and dangerous habit,
often resulting in runaways, broken
vehicles, perchance loss of human life.
| Nine-tenths of the stumbling is caused
| by the attention OF the horse being oc-
cupied with the penalty of the check.
Interfering and Overreaching are as
frequently caused by the check as by
the shoe; and, surely, to have horse
strike a sore ankle and 90 for dis
| lance on three legs does not add to his
| appearance; neither IL the click, click
of the shoes agreeable music. Also.
the many signs of torture detract very
much from the appearance of the horse
ha
ing head from one side to the other,
running tongue out of the mouth,
drooling, backing and stepping for
ward when hitched, and Others for
bear to mention. Now. all these de-
tract from the style of the horse. If it
be natural for horse to carry his head
horizontally with the body, with nose
thrown out, perhaps, such horse will
appear more seemly driven thus
than to draw up his head.
The spinal column is often weakened
and quite frequently becomes diseased
by unnatural checking. The kidneys
are affected, which weakens the back
in their region. As Il symptom of this
defect horse will frequently and sud-
denly let down behind as though he
had sprained an ankle, especially in de- |
scending hill. Serious injury to the |
brain is another evil. especially where
the overdraw check (direcD is used. |
The top of the head between and
tritle back OF the ears is very sensitive. |
BY continual pressure it becomes ten
der, often infiamed. frequently causing
blind-staggers and most universally |
impairing the eyesight, causing shy
ness. The brain thus affected will
cause the tossing of the head, jerking
back frequently when one approaches
to put on head5tall or makes any mo-
ton toward the head.
Once observing very fine-movino
three-year-old running in the yard,
bought, broke and commenced to drive,
using then tight check-the over
draw. [ was never more disappointed.
He seemed awkward in motion. with
no style to head and neck, bearing
heavy in the check. l could not ac-
count for it, his build seeming to war
rant better style. At last as an expert
ment l threw the check aside. and oc,
casionally giving a short jerk with the
reins, speaking sharply at the same
time, he would elevate his head, and
soon became Il very handsome and easy
appearer. Some horses naturally
stylish may become careless and need q
sharp word Or spat with the line, when
they will soon learn promptitude.
With proper control of the mouth this
demeanor NAV be secured without
check, or not at all.
1t is gratifying to pride to drive
horse without check when he carries an
elevated head with slight curve, ac-
by an elastic step. Such
horse will attract attention always.
But this result can not be obtained at
cruel cost OF physical impairment. To
sum up: What is gained by checking9
On the other hand. stumbling,
interfering. tossing of head, droOling,
an ungainly appearance in general,
with serious injury to spinal column,
brain, eyes, also greater tax
upon the constitution. To this add
untold torture. Let me say to our many
friends: Is it style you admire? Then
nave it. but buy it, or breed it. as you
an not in this respect very materially
change nature. If Won do, You have
only lost in style. Though it may be
without effect, let me add: "A merciful
nan is merciful to his beast. IN y.
Tribune.