New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-04
THE TROTTING HORSE.
A TREATISE BY CHARLES MARVIN.

Marvin, superintendent of Palo Alto Farm: Meno
s1mcr Ga xssocac EdST Of Moy
Illustrated avo. PIP. xiv, 352. The Marvin
Publishing Company, Ltd. NewYorh
Few books Of value have been written about the
trottng horse. Portly volumes have appeared rom
time to time in England. concerning the training.
handl,ar history and achievements of thoroughbred
runners but the trotter has been comparatively
neglected. This treatise by Mr.. Marvin puts in com
pact and attractive shape the latest and most practca
Information concerning the renowned trotune StocR
OF America. Mr.. Marvin freely Acknowledges MS III
debtedness to Governor stanford OF California who
has devoted To the development OF trOtters uncommon
ability and remarkable grasp Of all the elements OF
the problem Before Mr.. Marvin went TO Palo Alto
he was wellknown as trainer and driver, ard this
work gives interesting "reminiscences OF his experience
with the famous stallion Smuggler. Hence MT Marvin
was anything but novice when he went TO California
and took charge Of the greatest breeding farm In the
world Yet he frankly admits that from the suggestions
and counsel OF Governor Stanford lie enlarged vastly
hi. stores of knowledge concerning horses and gained
far deeper insight as 10 all the difficult questions In
, Volved.
This will be found a useful working treatise. one Of
value not only TO amateur owner but also TO the
professional trainer. Mr. Marvin is thoroughly pracu-
raj although he does not move III the old ruts UndeV
the direction OF Governor Stanford he departed en-
tirely from the traditional method in the treatment
of young stock and his departure was signalzcd by
MANY conspicuous successes. The Palo Alto system.
which produced results that no other brecolhg-
farm approached is based in its very essence on
kindness The yOnng stock is taken up In early IN
fancy and no effort is spared TO gain the confidence
and liking of the baby and daughters Of the cee
brated stations and mares of the Pacific Coast. Ier
education is by easy steps. and is marked by mex
hanstble patience and care Inch by inch progress Is
made The FLIES and colts are taught Obedience ana
are so handled to bring out their highest Speeu
without overworking them. There is nothing rougi'
nothing brutal nothing ungcncrous in the scheme OF
operations laid down by Governor stanford and car
ricd out in detail BY Mr.. Marvin The young things
are not asked to accomplish too much, and their
schooling proceeds with mastery discrimination ana
discretion with no hot house forcing
Governor Stanford and Mr.. Marvin are enthusiastic
advocates Of early training and early tTottnS iet
as practised by Them this system does not result IN
breaking down horses prematurely or in preventing
the development of the highest speed by undue haste
Tho arguments in favor Of this policy the brilliant
examples of its execution. and the uluniphs "'he"
have followed it's intelligent pursuit arc presented III
this treatise with cearness and force that ought 10
convince the owners breeders trainers and drivers OF
the country Of its practical merit. Certainly SSs
tom which has sent ont Kinda Rose. ST. Eel
Manzarita n Palo Alto q Norainc and sunol must
enforoe respect and admiration wherever the trottns
horse is known. Probably nothing could DO more 10
nurture and improve the trotng interests OF America
than the general acceptance of the principles and
methods pursued at Palo Alto
The careful student of this treatise will find every
branch OF the subject presented with sufficient hlnes'
for guidance and instruction. Unfortunately 100 many
of the owners breeders and trainers both OF tro'the
and tTorOug hbrcd stock. in this country are uui
Slow obstinate. pcrvcrse generation Where there Is
one stanford and Bonner there are hundred dots'
and the narrow minded and purblind followers OF an
tiquated methods and WORKOUT systems are so s'uo-
born that no Of light or leading can pers"ade
them 70 walk IN better paths. II all our trainers anu
managers had the open and receptive mind of Mr.
Marvin his quickncss of apprehension ana MS lerl'N
of IDEAS impressive indeed would be the speed! al
vancement apparent in al parts OF the country h"'
I'm trottnG too often, rs in thoroughbred racing per
sons Of little natural intelligence. Of scay movement
OF Thought and of singular density of nature get con
troll of important Interests Too many OF our trainers
were formerly Jockeys. Too many of our jockeys arc
graduates Of warehouses;. Of the sumS ana the cutters
A Jockey or driver may have acquired certain
knack in regulating the speed OF runner OF d
irotter he may know TO call upon the horse nor
his supreme effort at the right time, ana 10" 10
Gnsls in a vigorous and effective manner ana
rct his same person may be utterly unfit for tho
mon sil,c dutic, Of trainer manager OF large
trotting racing stable
Two suggestions made by Mr.. Marvin will strike the
old fashioned fatwitted trainers with peculiar horro
Ii has hecn the cruel pTactlcc III hcailH "' @'"Oi
stables both o. runners and trottcrs in certain forms OF
iameness weakness Of the legs, to ponSi ana scar ~
skin and even the tissues beneath II with whlteh moi
srons THIS is called firing" There never was an!
justification or excuse for .uoh taroarty' MI 'isa
Gin SAYS that he las found IL entirely useless, and ae
cares that IL should he abandoned cvciy where surely
his expercpcc is ample. Such recommendation iron
.uch a quarter slonM lead to the giving up com-
n,etelv Of this atroclous mallcatmcnt OF so hooie
an,mals and, in TRUTH such cruelty ought 10 oe
stopped by the strong arm Of The law MT. marvin
oh.ts another curously common dc'uslon among both
,,r,uc and trottIng men lie points ont that the
trsmsndous pulp dnrng the early part Of race, With
which great many runners and trottcrs arc usually
restrained is drawback rather than an ala 10 the
horse IN his finish. This is common sense ana reason.
II is plain on the face OF ii. Ana yet nine ouV VI
IAN trainers and nine out Of drivers and jockeys
arc continually guilty OF The STUPID iolIy Vi SAVING
horse. head. pulling it so far back as almost TO
.,aro,. the animal taking ali the spirit. heart and
sp.cn ont of him, and then they expect him 10 SHOW
hs highest powers in The struggle at the end OF te
race. The thing is impossible
This treatise on the trOttng horse has been care
Chilly edited by Leslie +. Macleod the former associate
.dttor OF aWsllace's Monthly who has prepared q
ya,uab,e appepdix Of sixteen pages on The Irotth9
,Inrse Historically Considered" With Mr.. Narvlns
Natural powers of expression and Mr.. Macieoos care
t editing this will be found of the best written
hoors concerning horses In the English language IL
,x pcver aorid never redundant II expresses what
II has to say with precision drecmess ana sihPh'iV
and I'm a convincing manner. II Is embchisheu WIN
cxoellcnt pictures Of Governor Stanford ana MI.
Marvin of the most famous lies and colts produced
al Pao Alto and of various buildings and TRACKS Oh
the great breeding farm.