The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-24
Educated Horse princess
Trixie" Will Give Ex
hibition at Fair.
IS JUDGE OF MUSIC
Animal Can Think and viii Do
Anything That Owner
Desires

Norfolk. Va. June 24.-It is very
remarkable that in spite Of all inno-
vations, the horse should have been
from time immemorable the universal
and nose useful companion and sew
want of man.
1t is a question whether this arises
from a different mental constitution,
or whether by long continued and per
severing effort in training TO tit the
various needs of the human race
Suffice to say, it stands as an I'M
disputed fact. That from the earliest
days of barbaric nations OF which we
have any authentic record, through
the ages, the horse has been, and is
the one domestic animal closely identi-
fled with the various elements of in
teuigence, usefulness and affection
and numerous instances are on record
of almost human devotion.
1t has become next to man himself
the most important factor in the bust
ness and pleasure of the world; an
emblem of rank, and an object of lux
ury.
The senses of the horse are acute; its
faculties of observation and memory
are very highly developed a place
once visited, or a road once traversed
seems never to be forgotten; and with
patience and kind treatment it can be
trained to go through quite compli-
Gated feats of memory and percep-
ton, whilst it's knowledge of music
is evidenced by its comprehension of
military signals.
1t has remained however. for the
twentieth century to show to what a
height of almost superhuman sagacity
the senses of the horse can be de-
veloped.
A case in point can be mentioned in
the educated horse Princess Trixie"
now on exhibition at the Jamestown
exposition. This horse, nearly full
blooded Arabian, seems capable of al
most any test applying to the afore-
said horse sense. Elementary mathe-
matics seems to be an open book to
her; in addition she spells with the
ease of the average child gifted with
a public education of the preliminary
grades, her distinction of colors is as
nearly perfect, her knowledge of music
is excellent, far surprising the aver
age musical calls of our calvary ser
vice, whilst in addition she manIpu-
lates a cash register with an exact
ness that to say the least is surprising.
This may seem like a chapter from
the Arabian Nights" but the critics
of psychology on two continents have
studied the question, committees have
put the most intricate tests to en-
deavor to find some code of signals
by which the extraordinary equine per-
forms these feats, with the result that
| those who have set themselves the
| task have been themselves mystifed.
OF course all know that a horse is
not human, but the question arises. Is
our modern theory of training horses
correct or is it possible by adopting
other tactics to so produce a race of
quadrupeds that instead Of being
guided alone by whip or spur they may
be taught to realize the wishes of their
masters by a simple words of command
or request?
There is but little doubt that "Prin-
cess Trixie's" owner has accomplished
this feat. Mr.. Barnes evidently has
complete control of this horses mind.
she obeys his slightest wish. and seems
to take pleasure in so doing. Nor are
her experiments confined TO her owner
alone; members of the audience set her
tasks, such as telling the time by their
own watch. examples in addition, sub
traction, multiplication, division, giving
her their own names to spell, and re-
questing change from any stated
amount that they themselves name.
To all of these the result is uni
| formally the same, and If the eXplana-
ton lies in any collision between the
mare and her owner it must go on
record that such collision has so far
never been discovered. OF course it
must be taken into consideration that
''Trixie" is a shot horse, and as such
is expected to be able to make good.
but apart from the fact of making
| good, her abnormal intelligence must
appeal to all students of zoology.
AS far as is known there is now
| where to be seen another similar case;
where either horse. dog. or other do
nestle or wild animal has shown the
same remarkable talents as those ex-
| hibited by Mr.. Barnes beautiful Arab;
and he maintains that the sole factor
responsible for such intelligence, is ed
ucation. He has so developed the brain
power OF his favorite that she can
think and reason for herself; her
mental capacity, and faculties are SC
keen that what appears at first sight
to the uninitiated as almost miracu-
lous animal sagacity. or q system OF
elaborate trickery. Is IN reality but the
result OF deep study. scientifically APP
piled. and persevered with, throughout
the animals early life, and that those
who pursue the same, or similar meth
DDS, can II they wish. be equally sue
| cessfuI in the realization Of this mos
| interesting accomplishment. The
higher education Of our domestic pets