Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-01-28
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
AN EARNEST APPEAL IN BEHALF OF
THE POOR HORSE.
The Cruel Check Rein Dockine-Poor Food
and Uncomfortable Quarters -Ill-Fittins
Harness and Rough Treatment Poor
Rich People" Put Yourself in His Place.

e A>Sokh OOT
Rich People" Put Yourself in His Place.
ED. STANDARD:
The everyday cruelties practiced
on animals, both from ignorance and
thoughtleSSness, make a grand total
for which we are all responsible. One
cannot walk the streets without see
ing horses in all stages Of suffering.
Some have their heads drawn up with
tight, Overbearing check rein, which
causes agony no words can express.
The powerful muscles of the neck are
drawn into an unnatural position,
which becomes extremely painful, the
circulation of blood through the brain
and throat is checked, while the pres
sure of the bit on the highly sensitive
mouth infiicts intenseagony. What
wonder that a high-spirited animal
runs away when eXasperated with
such torture? Try tying back your
own head with your eyes lifted to the
blazing sun. and without being able to
see where you are stepping, let some
one drive you at a swift pace for hours,
you will go home to your stable in
haste to cut the check rein from the
harness and swear the Arabs oath
with your hand upon your horses
shoulder that he shall never again
wear that instrument of torture.
Docking is nothing less than a
crime against God and nature, it is a
deliberte insult to the Creator to
mutilate the splendid animal made
to rejoice in his strength, who
mocketh at fear and is not af-
frighted, and whose neck he has
clothed with thunder" This inhu-
man operation is followed by more
cases of lOckjaw than all other causes
combined, and the horse is compelled
as long he lives to suffer by the loss
OF his tail from the attacks of insects
to which he is even more sensitive
than man. Then, some ono has found
out that it saves grooming to rob him
of the hair Heaven gave for a protec-
ting from heat as well as cold. by
clipping, and the diseases brought on
by such exposure are often fatal.
n horse is absolutely at the mercy
of his owner, who may keep him in a
dark. unventilated, dirty stable, ex-
posed to drafts, with poor food and
water. or not enough of either, ir-
regular feeding. ill-ftting harness or
saddle, rough treatment by his at
tendant who will often kick or strike
him if he flinches under the sharp use
of curry comb, and some are so
thoughtlessly cruel as to cut away
the delicate hair which lines the ears
placed there to protect the organ OF
hearing from the entrance of insects
or foreign substance which woulC not
only cause pain but deafness. He IS
usually expected and required to start
of at full speed after q hearty feed or
whenever driven; if his binders pre-
vent him from recognizing some fa-
milliar object and he SHES. the lash
is used to still farther terrify him,
and no account is made of what he has
to draw in regulating his speed.
There are more poor rich people
in this city than l have ever seen
before, " remarked young man to
resident OF a neighboring town.
How so?' was the inquiry. why,
single horses are drawing carriages
that should be drawn by two, with
from three to five occupants; which
looks like an unintentional admission
of poverty.
II a person is ever at q loss how
to deal with an animal let him ask
himself how he would like to be treated
under the same circumstances. and
act accordingly. The golden rule fits
all eases most admirably and that
person who considers it beneath him
to treat an animal with kindness acts
with narrow selfshness unworthy
the possession of an immortal soul.
SARA TuoRp THOMAS,
Alexander, Ark.