ROBERT BONNER ON SHOEING | 



without the advantage of ball-bearing axles and pneu- | 



matic tires, which in the opinion of good judges ' 



increased speed on an average from five to six I 



seconds. j 



In the memoranda of 1897 Mr. Bonner stated 1 



that he had expended about $600,000 in the purchase 

 of trotting horses. " To those friends who have 

 criticised me for having paid so much money for 

 horses, I may be pardoned for saying that I have 

 given away a much larger sum for religious and | 



benevolent purposes." Attention was modestly called i 



to the fact that over 100 horses with public records ! 



could be traced to animals bred on his farm at 

 Tarrytown. j 



'' But the thing of all others in connection with I 



horses, if I except the great benefit to my health | 



from driving them, which necessarily keeps me out 

 of doors, that has afforded me the most gratification 

 is the improvement I have been able to make in I 



the speed of those I have purchased, and the conse- 

 quent relief from suffering and lameness the poor 

 animals experienced after coming into my possession j 



and having their feet treated under my direction." j 



Mr. Bonner was the ablest student of the foot ; 



of the horse and the greatest enthusiast on balancing ! 



through shoeing that this country has produced, and I 



the hours that I spent with him in discussing this , 



subject and in following practical demonstrations i 



were hours dedicated to wisdom. I was his com- 

 panion in many long journeys, undertaken solely for 



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