The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1896-07-02
A NssToR AMONG HORSES.
Here Is One which Is Said to Have Been
Sixty-forr Years Old.

mere Is One Which Is Said to Have Been
sszty-forr Years Old.
IN many recent prints there have
been remarks Gil the age and longev-
ity OF the horse which some readers
may consider very amusing. In
SEeavington's Modern History of
tarriery, " now before me, l find
record Of horse at that time-1822
Ito be- in his sixty fourth year.
The horse at that period belonged
to the Mersey and Iswell Navigation
company. He was bred by Edward
Robinson of Willgrave farm. in
Woolston, short distance from
Warrington. When young-and in
deed until he reached the age of so
the animal manifested an extreme
~ vicious disposition, not only to
human beings, but also to dogs and
any other creatures that happened
to oppose his progress or stood in
his way. This temper was partiou
larly shown when at the dinner hour
or other periods a cessation of labor
took place. He was impatient to get
into the stable on such occasions
and would use his heels and teeth
to remove any impeachment placed
in his way.
The writer says his front teeth
were perfect, but very long, while
his bride teeth were tusks, which,
after growing to an unusual length,
became half inverted and described
an uncouth semicircle, convexing to
the upper jaw. His lower lip was
neither SO loose nor so pendulous as
is generally seen in very old horses.
His eyes were described as being
very remarkably placed in the socket
and were at the same time so bright
and clear, presenting altogether 80
perfect an appearance as to afford
strong presumption that his sight
was as good as that which is usu-
ally found in horses at the age of -
or 4 years.
Thirty years of his life, it seems,
were spent in mill, and the re-
! mainder principally in the Mersey
and Iswell Navigation company tow
ing boats. When in full flesh and in
the vigor of life, he would scarcely
have measured Is hands high. He
graZed in summer on the banks of
the Mersey and in winter was taken
into the stable and fed on mashes
and soft feed. He then possessed
the use of all his faculties in tolera-
BILE perfection; was able to lie down
and rise with ease, and when in the
meadows would frequently play and
even gallop with some young colts
that grazed along with him.
At that time there were no symp-
toms of an early dissolution. The
great age of this horse would con-
vince us that he had been kindly
treated, and we naturally suppose
he was never put to any violent
work. Between the rounds of a
wheel and on the banks of the Mer-
sey, this animal seemed to have spent
| his life, doing such labor as would
only amount to wholesome exercise
1t is, therefore, these circumstances,
kindness of treatment and modera-
ton of labor which were the causes
of his extreme longevity.
We would very much like to see
this principle of moderation extend.
ed more generally to the horse at
present. We know that all horses
are not employed in mill, nor can
they be expected to do the slow la
Dor OF drawing boat, which gives
them and their driver a gait thaS
once seen can never be forgotten.
especially the driver, who never
seems to BIO in hurry. Still we feel
convinced that too many horses are
sacrificed in shameful manner,
which very little consideration
might prevent, ard it is for this we
wish to plead. Horse
Breeder.