The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-11-01
AN ANIMALS EDUCATION,
HOW FoUR-FooTED CIRCUS PER
FORMERS ARE TAUGHT TRICKS.
A Ring Master Describes the Way
in which Horses, Elephants, Dogs
aud Pigs arc Trained.

NEOPLE who go TO circuses and
- and see horses, elephants and
dogs perform wonderful tricks
q must often ask themselves how
the animals are taught 20 do them. A
leading ring master supplies interest
ing information concerning horses.
1.-THE horse" he says, contrary 10
general belief, is the most stupid ami
NAL on earth. He has only one fac
ulty-memory. Having forced tricks
into his head, you must use the short
whip when he resists, and give him
carrot when he obeys. Whips and
carrots form the secret of the trainer.
/ The horse must be from FIVE TO seven
years old Before that age he is too
spirited, after il his muscles are not
elastic enough.
''The first thing to do is to accus-
tom your horse to the ring, TO mako
him run round regularly and then to
stop at given signal. To accomplish
this the animal is brought into the
ring. The trainer holds in his left
hand tether, which is passed into
the cavesson, kind of iron crescent
armed with sharp points fixed on the
nose of the horse. In his right hand
he holds the long whip. Behind the
animal an assistant with q stout, short
whip is posted. The trainer calls ON
the horse to start, and pulling his
tether and smacking his long whip
forces him to gallop round. II he re-
fuses the assistant uses his whip also.
If he is obedient he is rewarded with
carrot. To make him stop short the
trainer cracks his long whip again,
while the assistant with his short whip
throws himself suddenly in front Of
the animal, and the result is obtained.
''The horse has a great objection TO
kneeling or lying down ut any mo-
ment. This feat is taught by means
of iron bracelets placed on his ankles
and attached to tether held by the
trainer, who, by sudden jerks or pulls
as he is moving, makes him fall or
kneel. The animal remembers the
lessons, and, by dint of whip and car
rot, ultimately performs them at the
mere command of the trainer. The
horse is taught to dance to music
in the same way with tho foot brace
let's"
With respect to dogs, celebrated
trainer, who is now exhibiting &
troupe of them, says their education
is q work of time and patience. Some
times it takes two years. 81 use
neither sugar nor whip" he informs
us. 81 take my dog in my hands, talk
to him and try TO make him under
stand what he is to do, Iperform the
tricks myself, and the dogs follow and
initiate me-" AT present he is show
ing carriage dog which performs on
the single wire. 81 will tell you how
l taught him to become an equilibrist.
/ made him first of all walk on Il plank
which was balanced to and fro. The
plank was gradually reduced in width
every day and the movement accel.
Grated. At length the plank dwiDdled
down to a narrow slip; this was re-
placed 10y long, round stick, and ul-
timately the dog found himself on the
single wire" Strange to say this dog
is blind. Scent is the great quality
which enables dogs to perform some
tricks. For example, the poodles are
taught by their scent. The trainer
touches the dominoes which the dog
has to play, and the animal, smelling
them, picks them out from the rest
and plays them.
The pig is said to be the most diff
cult animal to train. A clown who ex-
hibits troupe of performing porkers
does not believe in learned pigs. They
are to be taught only by their weak
point, their gluttonY. "When l have
got my young pig" he says, 81 begin
on the principle that I shall obtain
nothing from him without satisfying
his appetite. 1 feed him myself, and
during few days l vary his food III
order to find out what he likes best.
As soon as have discovered his fayorite
dish | deprive him of it completely.
This dish is my great talisman. The
chief pig / am now performing With
prefers beef fat. put piece in my
pocket. jump over hurdles and the
pig follows me, doing likewise, in this
way he learns his exercise and gets his
fat. decrease the piece of fat every
day and at last l give him nothing.
Should he refuse to work / thrash him
till he does, and having completed his
performance / recompense him with
his favorite meal.
The elephant, on the contrary, is ex-
tremely intelligent, and his education
would be easy but for his cumbersome
weight, which forces the trainer to have
recourse TO cruel means. For in
stance, to make him raise and hold out
his foot an iron ring with sharp points
is placed on it, and being drawn by
rope the points enter the flesh. The
elephant, feeling the pain, lifts up HE
foot and keeps it in the air till the pain
ceases. After few repetitions he re.
members the pain, and at the sight OF
the iron raises his foot. His instruction,
thanks to his intelligence, is soon com.
pleted Some elephants are taught in
less than fortnight toplay on drum,
work tricycle., and beg on their hind
legs. New York Advertiser.