THE OBJECT OF THE ASSOCIATION. 



The object of the Association is to induce owners and drivers of 

 work horses to take more interest in their welfare and more pride in their 

 appearance; and also to induce the public generally to pay some atten- 

 tion to the horses daily at work in our streets. 



The horse is an animal that by his physical organization, especially 

 by his highly developed nervous system, is peculiarly capable of suffering. 

 Rough usage, even if it stops far short of absolute brutality, keeps him in 

 a constant state of fear or irritation. Anyone who is accustomed to 

 observe horses can tell by a single glance at a given horse whether the 

 driver is a good, bad or indifferent one. The expression of the animal's 

 eye, and the carriage of his ears, tell the story unmistakably. 



Even to owners who have no feeling for horses themselves this 

 matter is extremely imp,ortant, merely from the money point of view. 

 The difference in working power and in longevity between a horse well 

 treated and well driven and one badly treated and badly driven, is far 

 greater than would be supposed by those who have not actual knowledge 

 of the facts. Hostlers and drivers are apt to take their cue from the 

 employer; and the example set them is often a bad one. What kind of 

 service can be expected, for example, by that rich Boston Corporation 

 which recently sold at auction a horse that it had owned and worked for 

 considerably more than twenty years! 



It is a melancholy fact that many, perhaps most drivers, take little 

 interest in the horses under their charge. On the other hand, many have 

 a positive affection for their horses, and show the greatest pride in their 

 good appearance. These are the men to whom the daily task is not only 

 a means of livelihood, but a constant source of happiness; and to reward 

 and increase this class is the main object of the Boston Work Horse 

 Parade x\ssociation. 



THE FUTURE OF THE ASSOCIATION. 



In addition to holding an annual parade, the Association considers 

 itself at libert3'to use its funds for the relief of work horses in an}- proper 

 and practicable manner. Especially does it hope to procure better 

 watering facilities in the streets, and more humane pavements; to prevent 

 the use of horses that are lame or otherwise unfit for labor; to provide or 

 to assist others in providing a country home or place of rest, for horses 

 temporarily disabled or exhausted. 



