HOPE FOR THE HORSE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1927, Page 4

HOPE FOR THE HORSE

A meeting of the master horseshoers and blacksmiths of America has adjourned on a note ot optimism whicii is sadly needed in equine circles; for the horses of the world, and their affiliated body, the mules, have been finding it increasingly difficult to make a living. The openings are not what they were, and have seemed to he diminishing every day, says the “ Times.” It has become very difficult for even the ablest animal, ending with such glittering prizes as an ivory manger and wine from a golden pail. As for the horse who is in no way exceptional, he cannot even he sure of his accustomed servitudes. 11 is opportunities in war and transport are now so few that his friends—and the friends of the mules—have to recognise the gloomy significance of the changes which have taken place in the lifetime of the horses still living. Whereas a few years ago it was a matter of condolence that distinguished racehorses should end their days drawing hansom cabs, they are now thought lucky to have hansom cabs to draw. Both horses and mules have turned their eyes to the fields where the Dodo awaits them. The horse was beginning to believe that he must be ready to close the unparalleled record of his service to mankind as an articulated skeleton in the museum, illustrating an evolutionary series ot which that successful variation the motor ear, and not his handsome sell, would he the last and crowning exhibit. For years the motor ear has seemed to have everv advantage. It has been lound to he often faster on the road. It has even invaded the horse’s stronghold, the racecourse, and drawn away many patrons who get a keener thrill from the sight of such powerful and shining cars racing bonnet to bonnet after the electric pedestrian. F.ven as a health-giver, a shaker up of the liver, a preventer ol lodgments, the ear can vie with the horse by simply deflating a tv re.

These truths, which have nowhere been more vigorously realised than in the Xew World, have left the supporters of the horse with little to do hut sit and await the subtle repercussion.of his supersession. They wonder wh it part of the motor car will inherit the mystical veneration enjoyed by the horseshoe. The word horse is often used will) intensive ellect, as to work or eat like a horse. In these usages, in such terms as "ride the high horse” for arrogance. "liorsee play’ lor roughness, or " horse marines ” for gullibility, we may expect, the substitution of motor cur when an even more intensive effect is desired, A dark motor ear will suggest something more mysterious and unknown than a dark horse. But in the days of instalment buying to speak of beggars in motor cars will never have the point of beggars on horseback. All these things must lc> faced, for the largest draught horses and the mules with the strongest characters can only hold up the triumphant march of the motorist for a time. In the meantime there are the comforting statistics. " Saddle horses,” says the horseshoers, ” have increased by 7,00 per cent in ten years, and mules ale doing well.” Many piquant stories of frustrated automohilism must lie behind those figures. Xor is it difficult to see that the horse still has many advantages which can only he appreciated bv those who own cars. Dorses are more permanent : there is less shame in being seen on last .vein's model. They are more foolproof. T'uo advo'-ates of prohibition have explained those many years that while a drunken stupor is no bar to driving home in a horse-drawn vehicle, if only the horse

knows his way. flic motor ear cannot he so trusted. It might he suggested that this difference has something to do with the popularity of the horse. But the real reason is probably Ibis, that motor cars in time work their own cure. They are first taken up because, with all their elaborate insides, they are quick. And now the congestion such that this advantage is ceasing to he worth while. A horse is easier to stop if you must keep on stopping. Horses anxious for the future of horse hood may find comfort in the fact that til- more ears there are the less advantage have they over the horse. 11 is enemies are proving too many, not lor him. hut for each other.