Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-02-15
CUTE BABY BUNTING.
A LITTLE MARE THAT CAN DO
SOME BIG TRICKS.

SOME BIG TRICKS.
Born of American Parents in China, She
Now Belongs to a New York Policeman.
Her Owner Refuses Fabulous Offers for
Her-Some of Baby's Tricks.
Baby Bunting is pretty little coal black
mare, weighing the surprising amount of
ninety pounds and standing just thirty-two
inches high.
The little mare first saw the light of day in
Hong Kong, where she was born from
American parents, who were full blooded
Plymouth stock, and, strange to say, full
grown and as large as an ordinary horse
Soon after her arrival the little offspring took
sudden dislike to growing, and for the past
six years has remained in her babyhood form
with the exception of few teeth. Her name
also declined to grow, and it is now no longer
than when she was born. At the age of 2
years the little mare was brought to America
and presented to New York policeman She
had experienced very rough passage, and it
was thought that she would not live long
The policeman had several children, how
ever, and it was through their kind and ten
der nursing that Baby Bunting still wears
shoes today The blue coated official was
often offered almost fabulous prices for the
horse by rich men and dime museum freak
hunters, but his children were always given
the right of decision in this question, and of
Do1 <1,o,, nj,
did not go.
AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
He conceived the idea of having the nninia-
ture mare trained for the ring. The plan
was talked over, and the children thought it
would be jolly fun. Baby Bunting was
therefore turned over to DR.. B. W. Hill,
horse trainer of Jersey City. A World re-
porter visited the stables at Fourth and Hen
derson streets, Jersey City. and saw the little
animal go through her tricks and learn some
| new ones. As the reporter entered, an at
tendant was busily engaged in bathing the
legs of the mare and cleaning her nicely
The doctor explained that they always did
this, because when horse feels nice and clean
it will go through the tasks with much less
obstinacy. After the toilet had been con-
cluded the doctor went to the far end of the
stable and said:
"Baby, come herel'
The little animal answered with alacrity,
and while she affectionately rubbed her nose
against his knee the trainer explained his
method of teaching.
SIN the first place" said he, ''when l take
an animal to train l always take day OF
two to study its temper and actions. If l
find it is obliging and quiet l have an easy
task, but if it is at all vicious, have to sub
due it and get it into the right state of mind.
No, rarely use whip, although l always
carry one to brisk up an animals movements
when it falls into sluggish mood. / have
learned by experience that kindness is the
only way that difficult feats can be taught to
| animals. Of course, l might beat them into
doing the trick, but they would soon forget
| it, and would fail to perform unless compelled
| to do so with the aid of the LASH The horse
| has memory equal to that of human be-
| ing, and when once taught by kind methods
it will never forget. Well, Baby" said he,
| turning to his charge, "do you want to go
| through your trickss"
| The little mare looked up and then copl-
menced to nod her head, which plainly indi-
| Gated YES
| ''Do you like the girls!" This time the
| little head was shaken savagely from side to
side, a decided "No." Several other ques
tions were also propounded to the animal
who answered them appropriately.
s'Of course" said the doctor, "the creature
does not yet know what 1 am asking her, but
she will come pretty near to doing so in time
| The reason she mods is because l make her do
i so. When l want her to answer Yes /
| gently rub her foreleg, and she never fails to
reply When No is wanted, | place my
hand on the back of her head near her neck
and after few quick passes she responds.
Both of these movements of mine are secrets,
and they are never noticed by an audience,
who think that am fondling the horse See
| if you can do it"
The reporter tried the two motions over
and over again, while all sorts of questions
were propounded, but the little animal re-
NAMED stoical and would not be induced to
move her head. 1t was indeed secret.
| MARVELLOUS INTELLIGENCE.
s'Now, Baby" said the trainer, ''get down
on your knees and say your prayers" AS he
said this he gently touched the knees of the
| pet, who soon dropped down with her nose on
the floor "Amen!" cried the doctor, and Baby
| quickly rose He then started her across the
stable and touched her knee again with the
whip OF course she held that foot up and
walked lame Then he took the whip away
| and made her do it alone.
''Baby, lie down and make believe you're
dead" commanded the trainer. The Baby
| knew what was wanted, but as the trick had
been learned only the day before she was
some time in complying with the request.
She finally got down and stretched out her
| head at full length and closed her eyes. The
doctor then walked off and said he was going
to call dead wagon for her. Then he said
he was going to get policeman to shoot her,
but she would not move. Suddenly he cried,
| 'The barn is on frer' At this the little one
Jumped quickly to her feet and, after run
ming about the stable and finding there was
no fire, returned to the spot and dropped
| down again. The doctor then went to her
and said, "Baby, if you are alive, roll over
on the other side and then get up" The lit
tie mare did SO and quickly regained her feet
Baby Bunting was then taught new trick,
4 which is one of the hardest for a horse to
learn 1t was to hold dinner bell in her
mouth and to ring it when so commanded
At first she would not close her teeth at all,
but after a great deal of patience on the
part of the doctor she managed to keep her
teeth closed Then the doctor placed his
hand on her head, and by simply scratching
it little Baby shook her head and rang the
bell. The doctor then lay down on his back,
and calling Baby to him commanded her
to walk over him. This she did, trembling
in every limb for fear of injuring him. II
she had fallen on him he would not have
! heen hurt-New York World.
Utilizing Solar Heat.
Professor Morse, of Salem, Mass, has de-