Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-11-09
MACHINE MADE TRoTTERs.
They lay DO For the Track, but Not For
breeding.

They lay DO For the Track, but Not For
breeding.
Tho board of appeal, has established,
by last winters decision, the law to
be- that horse distanccd through acct
dent resulting from impcrfection of his
own gear cannot he reinstated. The case
at issue was the breaking of checkrein
without any collision or outside inter
ference This would seem to establish
the doctrine that driver must abide by
the outcome of his own arrangements,
but that he need not suffer from outside
interference. by parity of reasoning,
then, "a driver may USE amy device TO ac-
celcratc the speed Of his horse or control
him that does not iii any way Interfere
with other horses or cndanger their
drivers Without further legislation the
electric motor would seem TO be permits
sible, along with toe weights, bike sui
kies, head governors, gaiting wheels,
poles. pully lines and every variety Of
boot and shoe True, horses and fam
lilies Of horses requiring much rigging
have little value for practical purposes
and their procreation IN an INJURY 10
breeding interests, hut that does not con-
stituto IA legitimate reason for legisla-
ton against them The broad principle
of constitutional freedom insurcs to ev-
cry one the right Of liberty of action so
long ~ the rights of others are not en-
croachcd upon.
This bring, Us 10 hopplcs, the current
bone of contention and the most impor-
tant adjunct today in the drivers para
phcrualia Of devices for the manufacture
of artificial speed. Breeders should and
must be lawfully left to decide for
themselves the value of hopplc records
Like the electric motor and push under
'hlEr, the elastic properties of the
hopplc accelerate = seed. adding to the
force and rapidity Of action. BY their
use horse may be compelled 60 pace
or trot, regardless of his inclination,
at the drivers will Thus il horse of
| muscular vigor and good wind may
be educated To trot or pace fast without
much natural inclination TO do either
IA mechanical triumph if You please,
and small credit 10 his breeder or his
| sire and dam.
\ case in point Is a 2-year-old owned
by "a ncighbor With limbs unfettered
he can with difficulty be driven little
better than / minutes Controlled by
hopples and driven by hustler armed
| with chain fastened TO the end of a
stick, the poor brute shuffies along u
racing clip Except upon tho score Of
cruelty TO animals | see no reason TO
! legislate against this. Breeders who
want that kind should be allowed to
raise them. So long rs tho hopples in
| terfcre with no one else, do not Interfere
with them. They are just ~ legitimate
rs toe weights and much more efficient.
| 1t j. not my purpose To decry or abuse
! them or deprive my good friends who
find them So valuable of the privilege
of using them and breaking their collar
| bones or nccks, but have seen fearful
tumblcS taken in races by horses wear
| ing them; have seen the horses, >ulkics
and men piled in such heaps ~ To cause
"A shuddcr of fear tothrill all hcholdor>.
| thereby sickCning and disgusting Nom
with the sport With the frequency Of
such accidents, rs reported. by the pa
pers. and familiar to those attending
the races, in view, il would seem need
full TO begin seriously calling in question
driver right TO use them III race.
Train with them all You like, but score
for the word without them, M, ], -.
III Breeders Gazette.