The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-03
STOCK In AUSTRALIA.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE HORSES OF
THAT COUNTRY.

The Umite0 states Consul mt sydney
Writes Some Impressions About Ani-
mails that Have Recome Justly CeIe-
brated-The Mule Almost Unknown
ON the Continent.
The success attending the recent exporta-
ton Of horses from Sydney to California,
China and India has directed attention to the
condition of horses In Australia. The horse
appears to do well in any part OF the great
island continent, and especially in New South
Wales, where the climate and other con-
ditions of the country are peculiarly adapted
to stock breeding OF all kinds. So much,
however, is sud about Victorian wool and
Victorian horses that one would suppose
Victoria had all the sheep and horses and
New South Wales none, whereas the latter
colony has not only four times as many
sheep as Victoria, but also exceeds her in
the number Of her horses, whilst the breed
and condition OF both animals In New South
Wales are quite equal II not superior to
those OF Victoria. 1t will. perhaps, be
matter of still greater surprise to those not
conversant with the conditions Of live stock
in Australia TO learn that, notwithstanding
the prominence given to horse racing in Vic
toria through the unparalleled success OF the
Melbourne cup, the colony providing the
sport has for many years failed to carry OF
the prize and that ut the last annual meet
ing she did not bring to the contest single
locally-bred horse. The only explanation
offered for the failure, as far as am aware
of, is that Victoria stock farmers are more
cautious than formerly about rlsking their
money on the chances of racing.
The introduction OF horses into Australia
appears to have begun with the arrival OF
the first settlers. Great care was taken to
select only the best and strongest animals
and that, perhaps, is one OF the reasons OF
the frequent mention of the superb condition
OF the horse, in the pages Of the early histo-
rians of the colony. Subsequently the ami
mails were greatly improved by the introduce
ton of some OF the best blood Of Arabia.
In time, however, through careless breed
ing and other causes, the horse in Austria
lie was allowed to deteriorate, and tits said.
that his condition was made still worse by
the introduction OF vicious blood from
Spain, but there is no record of Spanish
horses ever having been introduced into
Australia, and it is probable that the state
ment originated from the fact that many Of
the animals were allowed to run wild, and
when caught displayed the vicious habits
said to be common to those Of Spanish
origin.
About the time Of the discovery Of gold
lin 1850, horses wers sold in Australia at
;po II Int fhau raOarnllv
OF very light condition, and, in most cases.
were caught wild. The estimated number Of
wild horses at the present time in New South
Wales is about 10000, most OF which IRE in
the New England district. The RATA, or
lasso. appears never to have been used for
catching wild horses. The early settlers,
being Britons were probably ignorant OF its
existence. The Australian stockmnn seems
always to have relied upon his heavy,
long-tongued stock whip. This whip is made
out of rawhide, and is about fifteen feet In
length, having not unfreqnently, as
many as twenty strands, with q heavy
filling of hide plated in the end near
the handle, which is Of wood, and
about ten inches long. The lash tapers
to point, and is sometimes tipped with
silk, but in most cases is composed OF
green hide This whip, in the hands Of the
average stockman, is Il powerful instrument
OF punishment. 1t will cut deep into the
flesh, and draw blood ut every stroke. The
stockman is usually so inuch Of an expert
that he has little difficulty in driving and
yal ding large hordes of the widest hors,s.
Tho race-horses ofAustralia have for many
years been justly celebrated for their speed,
and there is perhaps no other country in the
world where so much capital is invested in
racing in proportion to population rs in
Australia. Tho fastest time ever made in the
colonies was at the Melbourne cup, the End
OF November, 1887, on the twenty-seventh an
niversary Of the great racing carnival, when
Dunlop made the two miles in three minutes
and twenty-eight and one-half seconds.
The Australians. through the public press,
are deploring the purchase OF so many Of
their famous race-horses by Senator Hearst,
Mr.. ]. B. Haggin, and other California capt.
talists. Tho loss OF Darebin was described
''as little short OF calamity to breeders"
Bruce Low for Mr.. Haggin at cost Of
Ell $3.50, S., 624, and shipped to that gentleman
in July, 1886. A few months afterwards an
effort was made to purchase Darebin for the
colonies and it is said that an offer o. e5, 900
$24, 232 was made for him by cable, but that
Mr.. Haggin refused to part with his pur-
chase.
Very little attention has been paid hereto
fore 10 the training OF roadsters in Australia.
The taste of the people, however, is now
changing in that respect. The trotting
matches at Esternwick park, near Mel
bourne, and those of the Sydney Park Driv.
ing club, at the agricultural grounds, near
Sydney, are daily becoming more and more
popular, and 1t is said that this sport is also
becoming popular at Adelnide and other
cities of Australia. This should be very
gratifying to the public. inasmuch as the
sport OF trotting leads to something OF
direct practical value. The race-horse,
strictly speaking, is OF little use or interest
except to the turfmen, and is seldom seen off
the race-track, whilst tho trotter is not only
a useful animal in the buggy and carriage,
but Is a fascinating sight on the road.
The almost total absence OF tho mule in
the Australian colonies has been tho subject
OF much comment on the part OF Americans
visiting, and several attempts have recently
boon made TO popularize this useful animal
in various parts OF the great island conti-
nent. Its good qualities for packing pur-
poses are said 10 have just been discovered
in the northern territory. A breeding
establishment has been started by Messrs,