The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-12
HARNESS HORSES
A LIGHT VARIETY
CONTINUED from First Page.)

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favorablc condItions, give the breeder
a rst-class light harness horse; one
which would most probably have the
important requisites mentioned in the
former paragraph.
In connection with this particular
phase OF this subject. !. e., In the selec-
ton OF sire and dam, 1t can be safe
~ said that there are strong admirers
OF the Hackneys, French and German
coach breeds, all good so far as that
is concerned, certainly as stylish teams
for city purposes.
With the cross of the trotting sire
and the half or three quarter Ibred
mare drumming blood YOU are likely
to get god combinationhorse. as
well as tip top driver: that is. a
horse that will be serviceablc, both
under the saddle and In the harness, a
double field o. usefulness as 1t were
and not TO he dsspised by any means.
but on the contrary, 10 be appreciated.
Educating the Light Harness Horse.
No animal ever used by man needs
to be so thoroughly educated Chat is
for practical every day uses) as the
light harness horse, for without docil-
ity he Is n dangerous animal; in fact,
almost worthless. Without style he
will not sell for what he is worth
Without action and al leas. n moderate
speed he is not in demand. and unless
absolutely sound he is not wanted by
the man who is looking for the best
type OF his class
In these days there are numberless
things on the country road and in the
city streets well calculated to disturb
the enuanimity of the ordinary horse
of any class whatsoever Probably the
automobile ranks first. This speed pro-
duct OF the twentieth century has, by
it's very appearance day and night,
flashlights for the latter and its wild
ly disturbing scent of Gasolene. at all
times. terrifying effect on our equine
friend.
horse on the road. no horse of any
age in any county. village, town or
city OF the Old Dominion can escape
the chance of n, sight of the automobile.
The bicycle does not enter so largely
into the problem.
Patience and Time Required.
In the fitting of the light harness
horse for the uses intended for him. it
will necessarily take both patience ana
time. The impatient, nigh tempered
man Is always a poor horseman: that
is. generally speaking. and horse
handled by a man of this type cannot
be depended on. Your horse must have
absolute confidence in you before you
can depend on him.
The farmer, like any other reason
able man. wants to know what he will
get for his products. Well after sec
ing many dealers and horsemcn In
Richmond. and at the Same time re-
calling bygOne experiences In tho mat
ter, think It safe to say that a well
broken, six-year old driving horse
will bring the farmer say from $3.50 to
$500. II he has we'll ma rched pair OF
them from $500 TO $500 could be OBJ
tanned. These are probably not out
side figures. bat they are not by any
means low figures.
In reading this article the question
may naturally arise in the minds OF
many farmers, 'Will 1t pay me to take
all that trouble, to go TO all that en-
pense. in order 10 keep a horse to six
years of age, and then to sell him for
what 1 might get for a three-year- old
mulc?" Now this is a pertinent ques-
unanswerabie. but in the case OF the
Virginia farmer. not so.
As before stated in the beginning or
this article. the Virginian Is q natural
lover of a good horse. and i am pretty
certain that the time will never come
when the reverse will be the case.
Therefore those farmers OF the Old
Dominion can In addition to raising
animals for their own use, dispose of
q limited number at least each year at
net prices that should pay them for
their trouble. -,