The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-31
A NEsToR AMONG HORSES.
Here is One which is Said to Have
Been 90 Years Old.
From the American Horse Breeder.

From the American Horse Breeder.
In many recent prints there have been
remarks on the age and longevity of the
horse, which some readers may consider
very amusing. In "SkeaVingtons Modern
History of F'arriery," now before me, 1
find the age of horse at that time, 1872,
to be in his Gath year. The horse at that
period belonged to the. Mersey g. Iswell
navigation company. He was bred by Ed
ward Robinson of WfllgraVe farm in WOOL
stOn, a short distance from Warrington.
When young, and indeed until he reached
the age of 90, the animal manifested an
extremely vicious disposition, not only to
human beings, but also TO dogs ana any
other creatures that happened to oppose
his progress or stood in his way. This
temper was particularly shown when at
the dinner hour or other periods. cessa-
ton of labor took place. He was impa-
tent to get into the stable on such occa-
sions, and would use his heels and teeth
to remove any impeachment placed in his
way.
The writer says his front teeth were per
feet, but very long, while his bride teeth
were tusks, which, after growing to an I'M
usual length became half inverted and de-
scribed an uncouth sefni-circle conveXing
to the upper jaw. His lower lip was Meth
er so loose nor so pendulOus as is gener-
ally seen in very old horses. His eyes were
described as being very remarkably plac-
ed in the socket, and were at the same
time so bright and clear, presenting alto
gether so perfect an appearance, as to af-
ford strong presumption that his sight
is as good as that which IS usually found
in horses at the age of 70 or IA years
Thirty years of his life, 1t seems, were
spent in a mill. and the remainder, prin-
cipally, in the Mersey q IsWell navigation
company, towing 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
tolerable perfection; was able to lie down
and rise with ease and when In the mea-
dows would frequently play and even gal
lop, with some young colts that grazed
along with him.
At that time there were no symptoms Of
an early dissolution. The great age of this
horse would convince US that he had been
kindly treated, and we naturally suppose
he was never put to any violent work. Be-
tween the rounds OF a wheel and on the
banks of the Mersey this animal seemed
TO have spent his life, doing such labor as
would only amount to wholesome exer-
else It is, therefore, these circumstances,
kindness of treatment and moderation of
labor, which were the causes of his ex-
treme longevity.
We would very much like to see this
principle of moderation extended more
generally to the horse at present. We
know that all horses are not employed in
a MILL nor can they be expected 10 do the
slow labor of drawing a. boat, which gives
them and their driver a gait that once
seen can never be forgotten, especially the
driver, who never seems to be in hurry;
still we feel convinced that too many
horses are sacrificed in a shameful man
ner, which a very little consideration
might prevent, and it is for this we wish
to plead.