Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-07-24
A Merciful Crusade.

The Society for the Prevention OF
Cruelty to Animals has achieved won.
ders since it was first put into being
by the immortal Berg; and there is
renewed crusade in the Atlantic
cities having for its primary object
the correction OF certain abuses in the
handling and treatment of horses.
More than five hundred veterinary
surgeons have come to the front and
over their signatures condemned the
use OF the check-rein and binders.
They also denounce the practice of
using the whip for correction of balk.
ing in horses.
The side or check-rein is bad
enough, but the overhead check is q
barbarous monstrosity which they are
determined to abolish. Among the
deleterious effects OF the check-reins
are mentioned the following. Dis
tortion OF the windpipe; impeding Of
respiration; apoplexy; coma; par
alysis OF the face muscles; and last
and most terrible of all, megrim, or a
disease analogous to neuralgia among
human beings.
DIR. kitching, an eminent authority,
speaks in the following terms concern
ing the unnatural position OF horses
head and neck: eff horse pulling
load has his head held in by a check
rein, he cannot throw his weight into
his collar, and is hindered from Civ
ing his body that position which is the
most natural and effective. The
check-rein inflicts unceasing torture
upon the animal in another way.
BY holding the head upward, it puts
the muscles OF the neck on a constant
strain. They become painfully I'M
easy and tired. II the horse cannot
bear it, he rests the weight of his
head upon the rein, and his mouth is
| violently stretched. Thus ne ex-
changes only one torment for another.
TO sum up in word, the check
rein lessons the horses strength;
brings on disease; keeps him in pain
frets and Injuries his mouth and spoils
his temper"
The movement against abusing
balky horses is thorough and radical
and will most probably lead to legis-
lative restriction. Many veterinary
surgeons have made extended and
laborious Investigations in the matter
OF balky horses, and they have come
to the unanimous decision that the
animal should not be abused. One
authority says: eff the horse will
not 60, let him stand and think it
over. He will very often think better
of it, and after few moments rehec-
ton, and a few losses of his head, 20
on OF his own accord; or, if this does
not answer, get out of the wagon and
pat him and talk kindly to him.
Sometimes it is we'll to loosen q strap
or start buckle. / have known the
mere act of unchecking and recheck-
ing the animal to answer the purpose,
and stop a determination to resist.
For this same reason an apple, or a
bunch of grass from the roadside, a
handful of oats or a few kernels OF
corn will often accomplish what an
hours beating could not effect"
Now this reasoning is not only HUI
name, but it is philosophical and sci
entific.
The refusal of women to ride after
horses having check-reins and binders
on their brides, is doing much towards
the adjustment of these abuses; and
it is sincerely to be hoped that the
good work begun in the Eastern cities
will spread through Christendom I'M
til the noble horse, mans best friend
among the lower animals, shall enjoy
unmolested and forever his inalienable
and God-given rights.