150 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



Just when racing at either the trotting, run- 

 ning, or pacing gait began in America it is diffi- 

 cult to determine ; but there is a record of a 



Ha.mi'.i.ktoxiax Stallion 



running race on Hempstead Heath, Long 

 Island, in 1665. There is a recorded trotting 

 performance at Harlem, New York, Jul)- 6, 

 1806, at wdrich time Yankee trotted a mile in 

 2.50. At Philadelphia, in August, 1 8 10, a Bos- 

 ton hoi'se trotted a mile in 2.48^^. Perhaps 

 these records lairly represent the speed limit 

 in America a centiny ago. li we take it for 

 g|-anted that Yankee could trot a mile in 2.50 



AvKRACp; Extreme Speed 



1S20 to 1S30 2.42 



1S30 to 1X40 2.35 "4: 



1.S40 to 1S50 2.28;4 



1S50 to lS6o 2.25 



1S60 to 1.S70 . 2. 1 8^4' 



1S70 to iSSo 2.14 



18S0 to lS(jo --JO/i 



1890 to 1900 2.03^4^ 



1901 to 1907 i-5S/4^ 



This evolution of speed is due to skill in 

 breeding and training and to improved tracks, 

 appliances, and methods. 



Just what rate of speed the trotter will ulti- 

 mately attain is a cjuestion much discussed, and 

 an)- attempt to answer is the merest speculation. 

 In \iew of the fact that the trotting breed is 

 still in its infanc)', and that the average of 



Dan P.VTcn i.ss'4 



extreme trotting sjjeed is still advancing, it 

 would be absurd to fi.\ a limit and a time when 

 progress will suddenh" cease. Of course im- 

 pro\ement in speed becomes more difficult as 

 the rale increases, but we ma}' yet see many 

 old records broken and man)' new champions 

 Cf)me into favor and fame. If in one century of 

 time more than fift\' seconds were clipped from 

 the record, surel)' iii another century may we 

 not expect a quarter or even half as much ? 



I )|1< L( 11' M 



IX. TiiR TKF..\T^^ENT OF Horses 



The serxices that the horse renders to man, 

 in 1S06 in contrast with the 1.5834 of Lou and the pleasures he procures for him, give 

 Dillon in 1904, we have a difference of .5i,'4' in him a right to coiiscientious care, good food, 

 a ceiitur)'. and charitable treatment. Yet how often these 



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