The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-22
Some Valuable Suggestions by Prof.
Gleason About the Care
of Horses.
The Saddle, Whip, Spurs, and
Other Accoutrement That
Are Used.
The Right and the Wrong way TO Handle
Refractory Horse-1n Case
of Accident.

rRnecial Correspondence of THE 1NDEPESDENT.]
New YORK, June 1S.-The horse is one
of the most intelligent of ami
mails. He can be taught to do most
any thing but speak. During an experience
of fifteen years have handled over seven
teen thousand of the most vicious kickers,
bakers, strikers, plungers, biters. boilers,
shyers and horses possessing all other vicious
habits known. have yet to find the horse
could not by my methods conquer, sub
due and make docile in a short time. II is
gratifying and with some feelings of pride
that I mention the fact that have not in
iured a single horse during my long and
successful career And It is a source of
happiness to know that have not ever
been cruel to one of the noblest of dumb
animals. NY methods are simple and
perfect. 1t is recorded in history that
Alexander was the first to ride and tame his
speed Bucephelas. He did it by mastering
the horse and not by sheer brutality. There
is big distinction between mastering a
horse and cowing the animal by cruel bru-
tally. Many horses have more sense than
their riders. The equine knows when he
is at the mercy of some inexperienced rider,
and it only renders the animal FESTIVE and
apprehensive. A horse should never be de-
ceived bv words or action. When a driver
or rider pulls the reins and says, whoa he
should mean it and stick to it. But to cry
"whoa,' jerk the reins and lash the horse at
the same time is confusing and means
nothing.
Equestrian pastime. l notice, is beoom-
ing fad, and commendable one, too,
among ladies. Hundreds of them ride
daily in the park and on the boulevard.
have often been asked what kind of saddles
To- chor11 hnvu fooxv oh
carry themselves in the saddle. A lady's
saddle should be carefully fitted to the
horse and should always be third crutch.
An extra leather girth should be used to
keep the flaps Of the saddle in their places.
The stirrup may be either like mans,
may be. a slipper, which is safer and
also easier to the foot. AS rule the
lady's whip is"llght and it should be
carried more to threaten than to actual
ly give punishment. If lady desires a
spur could be used, and no doubt it would
ment. I am in favor of no instru-
ment of torture,E however, as the
spur is often made when used by the reck-
less and cruel. 1t should be buckled on to
the boot and small opening made in the
habit with a string attached to the inside,
which is tied around the ankle, thus keep
ing the spur always projecting beyond the
folds of the habit. Sometimes nose mar
tingale is added for ornament but no horse
that throws his head up should be ridden by
ladies. The mistake often made is in select
ing the most stupid animal, fit only for q
dray, for ladies to ride, when the most per.
feet goer should be chosen. As q rule the
idea seems to prevail that horse with
= beautiful outline will carry lady; but it il
an egregious mistake.
If 1t were left to the ladies to decide they
would soon select suitable horses. Ladies'
are usually light and a horse that will easily
carry them is generally unfit to mount the
average man, because he is so much heavier.