THE USE OF BURRS 125 



To one who knows the use of a burr, it seems 

 incredible to think that, with a fair trial and a 

 proper presentation of a defense, a convic- 

 tion could be obtained against a driver of a horse 

 for using a burr on a properly selected subject. 



Numberless experts could be obtained as wit- 

 nesses to show that the use of a burr is no cruelty 

 in properly selected cases, and such experts could 

 be obtained amongst horsemen of undoubted 

 standing who would shrink from anything that 

 savored of cruelty to animals. 



Still further, it could be demonstrated, as it 

 has been to the writer many times, that it is posi- 

 tively inhumane not to use a burr on some horses. 

 One comes in contact with nervous, fretful pull- 

 ers, that wear themselves out, lose their appe- 

 tites, and become wrecks, that by the use of a 

 burr often cease pulling, in a large measure, 

 drive comfortably, and regain condition. People 

 are heard to speak of burrs as if they are instru- 

 ments of torture, placed on a horse's bit to irri- 

 tate him. Some suppose that they are used to 

 give a horse a stylish carriage and promote ac- 

 tion. As there is so much misconception with 

 regard to the object of their use, it will be well 

 to explain what is intended to be accomplished 

 by them. 



A burr is made of a piece of thick leather, 

 studded with bristles on one side, about half an 



