32 



to the first premium. But this falling off is accounted 

 for in the fact that another class of horses has been added, 

 called, " Gentlemen's driving horses," and these are very 

 numerous, embracing nearly the whole herd of horses 

 (except actual work horses), and every business man and 

 every youngster who thinks anything of himself must 

 possess one of these quadrupeds. 



Now, where is the noble "family horse," safe at all 

 times, and in all places, so highly prized by the family 

 as they go to church, or to the city, or ride for pleasure 

 over our New England hills. It is a rare thing to find a 

 well-trained horse. Scarcely can we take up a paper but 

 what gives some account of limbs broken or lives lost by 

 unsafe horses. Many a home has been darkened forever, 

 by the antics of some half-broken horse. 



Our Society, from the first, wisely appropriated money 

 to call the attention of the public to the important matter 

 of the well training of horses, and yet, there has been a 

 gradual departure from this rule for the last twenty 

 years, and owners of horses have received premiums for 

 animals hardly safe for every one to drive. 



A good family horse should weigh about one thousand 

 pounds, well proportioned, sound, stand without tying, 

 trained not to start till the reins are taken up, and then 

 to travel in good shape, from seven to eight miles an hour, 

 without urging, passing objects without shying, and not 

 afraid of the steam whistle, or the rattling cars, not less 

 than seven or eight years old, and not over fifteen. Such 

 a horse is worth not less than two hundred and fifty dol- 

 lars, and may be twice that sum ; while some of these 

 gentlemen's driving horses would cost you about all your 

 neck is worth to ride behind them. 



The society, in offering these premiums wishes to en- 

 courage the better training of this most noble and useful 

 animal ; one that has so much to do for our comfort and 

 safety, in domestic, as well as business life. 



This statement has been added to our report, at the 

 suggestion of the committee on family horses. 



David Stiles, Chairman. 



