HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION. 



HE first Work-Horse Parade in Boston and the first in this 

 country, was held on Memorial Day, 1902, under the 

 management of ten or twelve men who had been drawn 

 together by their interest in horses. Soon afterward they 

 were incorporated under the name of " The Boston Work- 

 Horse Parade Association," and it is hoped that humane persons who 

 have wills to make and property to leave will bear that title in mind. 

 The Association has received a very inadequate support from the rich 

 horse-owners and horse-users in the community; it always finishes the 

 year with a deficit, and were it not for the great generosity of a few men 

 and women it is doubtful if the Annual Parade could be maintained. 



Of the money contributed to the Association this year, about one- 

 half comes from a very few persons, and especially from the widow of 

 the first President of the Association, the originator of the Parade. He 

 occupied a peculiar place in the community, having warm friends among 

 men of every class and condition, and his loss is keenly felt by the 

 Directors. The Lawrence gold medal, the most valuable prize given by 

 the Association, is annually awarded in honor of him, and will, it is 

 hoped, preserve his memory for many years to come. 



The Association also acknowledges with gratitude the gift of two 

 hundred dollars from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of 

 Cruelty to Animals, a compliment which is fully appreciated. This gift 

 is in addition to the gold medal annually given by the society. 



There is but one change this year in the list of Directors. Mr. 

 Charles L. Burrill resigned on account of his removal from the city, and 

 Mr. George W. Harrington, who has served the Association for several 

 years as a Judge in the Old Horse class, was elected in his place. 



THE USES OF THE ASSOCIATION. 



Beside holding the Annual Parade, the Association has maintained 

 during the past winter the following means for improving the condition 

 and treatment of work-horses: a Permanent Agent; a Course of Free 

 Lectures; a Stable Competition. These will be considered separately. 



3 



