The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-07-27
SECRETS OF GOOD DRIVING.

-fi
Mrs. John Gerken, one of the most
famous women whips in America, has
decided to devote her time in the future
to breeding fine horses at her country
home on Long Island instead Of exhib-
iting at horse shows. Her skill as a
horsewoman may be judged from the
fact that she recently won fifty-six
blue ribbons in three consecutive
weeks.
Mrs. Gerken has always bought
and trained her own horses. She has
driven ever since she was old enough
to hold the lines. In speaking the
other day about the principles of good
horsemanship she said:
"A good horse is very difficult to
find, especially good saddle horse.
The best and safest way is to buy a
colt from one of the celebrated breed
ing farms. You can take well shap-
ed four-year,old Of good breed and
teach him yourself. or have him
taught the gaits and movements re-
quired. This is especially necessary
if one desires good saddle horse.
"Great care should be taken in the
selection of a teacher. for if the colts
temper is spoiled by injudicious treat
ment he will be completely ruined.
It is well in any event to superintend
the colts education and be sure that
he is treated neither too indulgently
nor cruelty.
~ study my horses-I study their
temperaments, their dispositions, in
order to control them. Thesam treat
ment is not adapted to all horses.
'sFirst of all win their confidence
and affection. I do not permit any
one else to drive them, for the.least
thing will ruin a horse forever. 1t is
very easy to geta horse in the habit of
shying or baking, or to make him
run away.
''An impatient or cruel driver will
frequently develop these habits in a
horse, which are generally the result
of nervousness and fear in the animal.
There must be perfect harmony be-
tween the horse and his master. In
that way only can he be made to do
his uttermost. If there is bad feeling
between them he will become niulish
and frequently vicious.
"A horse is an extremely sensitive
animal, almost more so than an ordi-
nary mortal. He seems in a way
gifted with divine instinct If his
driver is nervous it is at once conveyed
to him; if his driver is i'll tempered or
unsympathetic he catches the spirit.
''The horse has superior strength,
but the man has superior intellect, and
by intellect man must conquer brute
force. Superior brute force can new
er be vanquished by harshness or cru
Ell measures, but only by diplomacy
and gentle frmness.
'Ideas concerning the education of
ahorse have completely changed with
in the last twenty-five years. The
whip as means or punishment is en-
4i<Aisz dierAnsed with in the best traiu-
fuy e>i.e~i--~e <a~- ---zl---k =
instead of rough and brutal measures,
kindness, frmness and great patience
are the means employed.
Besides the fact that the thorough
bred is a better stopper and more beau-
tifully formed than horse of common
breed, there is the greatest difference
in their temperament and dispositions.
1 have generally found that we'll bred
horses if kindly treated are less likely
to kick and give trouble in harness
than underbred horses, and the diff
ference is manifest in the shape of the
head and appearance. e
''In the thoroughbred there is great
er width between the eyes, the brow
is high and prominent and the express
sion Of the face high bred and intelli-
gent. The head Of the common breed
shows stupid aspect and small brain.
"The one horse will be quick to
comprehend what is required of him
and will appreciate any effort made
in his behalf to brighten and educate
him, while the other will be slow to
understand, almost Indifferent to the
kindness of his master and apt when
too much INDUCED to return treach-
cry for good treatment.
Attempt to abuse or use the whip
upon the former and you will arouse
ali the hot temper derived from his
ancestors. In the contest which en-
sues between his master and himself
he will win or terminate the strife by
his own death. Apply the whip tc
the common horse; it will generally
keep him in order.
"The eyes are an important feature
in Judging we'll bred horse. They
are large and bright and clear with 9
suppressed FIRE and energy. Hsmall
and set close together, no matter what
splendid qualities he may have, be /:
sure to possess some taint of inferior
blood.
"The mouth of the thoroughbred
is large, amiable in expression ant
strong. The ears are also significant
being small, thin and delicate with the
tips inclining toward one another.
"You may judge fine horse by ths
width and expansion of his nostrils
which traits in an animal usually de
note an active, alert temperament
Upon the least excitement the nostril:
expand and culver. The legs ant
feet of thoroughbreds are delicate anc
we'll shaped.
Having selected young horse o.
four-year-oId with the qualification
lust mentioned if a thoroughbred, ant
| if not a thoroughbred one that posses
ses these qualifications as nearly a
possible, the training should begin
Infinite tact and patience are required
and he should never be touched will
whip.
"Ihave known good trainers spen'
hours in getting a horse ont of th'
sulks. Sometimes sulky horse ma,
possess such fine qualities that he