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 

 seconds. 



In the memoranda of 1897 Mr. Bonner stated 

 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 

 to the fact that over 100 horses with public records 

 could be traced to animals bred on his farm at 

 Tarrytown. 



" But the thing of all others in connection with 

 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 

 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 

 and having their feet treated under my direction." 



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 

 the hours that I spent with him in discussing this 

 subject and in following practical demonstrations 

 were hours dedicated to wisdom. I was his com- 

 panion in many long journeys, undertaken solely for 



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