The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-18
USEFUL HORSE TRIALS.
Contests for Different Classes Of
Animals Advocated by a
Farmer.
Tests for Those on the Track, the
Road, and the Work
Horse.
A Carefully Thought Out Programme
Which Might BE Adopted With
Profit by Fair Associations,

A writer signing himself "~Pomagadel,"
in the National Stockman and Farmer,
writes as follows On q subject of interest to
Montana horse farmers
The term useful horses'' is used in oppo-
sition to track horses or race horses. All
contests at the present day are upon the
basis of speed only. True. the weight to
be carried or drawn is stipulated, but the
maximum required is SO low that it cuts no
figure upon the basis of the utility of the
horse.
1t is not the purpose of this paper to de-
cry Epeed horses or speed contests, nor to
ignore the benefits which have accrued to
all classes of useful horses through the in
fusion of STANDARDIZED and thoroughbred
blood. Tho world affords such an easy liv-
ing, and so many comforts and Injuries
are accessible to all classes of people,
that some of the surplus Of both time
aud wealth is bound to be expended
in such enjoyments as horse-racing. But
is 1T necessary or advisable that the direct
effort of development or attaining perfeo-
ton should be expended in acquiring speed
d. only?
In addition to the speed horse, which is
used largely, if not almost exclusively. for
pleasure, the country needs others. The
desired development and perfection would
doubtless be attained or approached by es-
tablishing standards for the qualities de-
sired-or if three standards in all for har-
ness or driving horses were established, and
then by intcrmingllng the blood and the
, qualities of all of the three the exact shade
of qualities desired could the better be at
tanned. OF course this is constantly being
done in an unsystematic way, but the addi-
tional standards would assist, and make
the efforts in that direction more definite
and intelligent.
If STANDARDS for fine classes of harness
horses be established one of them must nat
urally be for track horses aa they Mt present
exist. A second should be for horses capa-
BILE of doing heavier work, and the contests
should be on that basis. An appropriate
technical designation of that class would
be road horse or roadsters. A third class
should be for the heaviest kind Of work,
and to he known as DRIFT horses. The three
classes would then DO known technically as
track horses. road horses and draft horsea.
The test of the merits of track horses ia
upon the basis that everything used in con
ncction with the contests shall be of MS light
weight us possible; harness, shoes, snlky
md even the drivers ~ a class are light
weight. Let it stand 10 it il.
The test for the road horse should be
quite different. Everything should be upon
u basis of usefulness. The weight of the
harness should be fixed, and should DO
heavy enough t. draw n buggy load and to
stand continuous use. The weight of the
shoes should be not less than that decided
upon. The vehicle should have fonr wheels.
and be sufficiently strong to carry two full
sized men with II valise or two aud some
extra bundles. ETC., over n rough country
Ioad. Tho weight of tho buggy should DO
stipulated, or n minimum weight BIO fixed.
The weight Of the load to be carried by the