The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-23
BosToNs WORK HORSE PARADE.
To Encourage the Use of Powerful
Animals for Heavy Work.
From the Boston Post

From the Boston Post.
Tor the first time in the history of
Boston a parade of the finest work horses
in the city, driven in tours, pairs and
singly, has been planned to take place
about October 1.
It Is expected that 500 horses. the most
superb work horses that are driven
through Bostons streets, will stand in
line to be passed upon by competent
Judges and after members of the new
Boston Work Horse Parade society, under
whose auspices the exhibition has been
arranged. and before the thousands who
viii attend the parade.
The Boston society has been formed on
lines similar to the London Cart Horse
society, whose parade is held every Whit
Monday in Regent park, London.
The object Of the society is to improve
the general condition and treatment of
Boston work horses. to encourage drivers
to take a humane interest in the animals
under their care. and TO encourage the
use Of powerful work horses more suit
able for heavy work on the streets of tie
city.
The object of the society is purely a
humane one. Many of Bostons most in
nnential men and women are interested
in the society over $1,000 has already
been raised by voluntary subscription,
and hundreds of letters We're sent out
last Tuesday to Boston people soliciting
further funds to be added to the present
amount. over $1,000 will be distributed in
cash prizes to the drivers under whose
care the horses are.
The parade will open at 10 o'clock in
the morning, and though the grounds
for the exhibition have not as yet been
definitely decided upon, it is expected
that some part of the park system will
be utilized for this purpose. AT the OPEN
ing of the parade a number of eompe-
tent judges viii inspect the different
horses in line. Horses may be brought
up decorated or not as the driver pleases
Objections will be taken to tight throat
lashes and short check reins, to horses
which in the opinion of the veterinary
inspector are dirty or unsound and also
to harness that is not perfectly clean.
New harness will disqualify the compe-
titor The judges will examine the har-
ness to see that it fits properly and will
ascertain whether the horse is correctly
attached to the cart or wagon. Horses
of light weight. that is, less than 1000
pounds in weight win not be admitted.
The competition is open to all drivers
of work horses in Boston and the vicinity
from drivers of a one-horse tip cart to
those in charge of a four-horse dray. The
entries of firms or corporations will ba
limited to fifteen. All entries will be free
and first, second and third prizes win be
given in money.
The London Cart House Parade society
has distributed thousands of pounds in
prizes and premiums since it's organiza-
ton in 1884.
Two years ago the parade had assumed
such large proportions that it was found
necessary to restrict the number of en-
tries allowed each firm.
During fifteen years over 5000 horses
have been examined by the judges and 1t
is impossible to estimate the benefits to
cart horses for which the society is d.
rectly responsible. About $4,000 has been
awarded in cash premiums.