CURE FOR A BITING HORSE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 393, 28 May 1881, Page 3

CURE FOR A BITING HORSE.

Owners of vicious horses might do worse than try the following experiment related by the Detroit Free Press:—A commission house in Deiroit owns n horse who was the terror of every pedestrian who ventured within three feet of him, and would bite at anything within his reach. Whipping had no effect, and he would get rid of muzzles as fast as they were put on. The firm suffered considerably in paying for damages sustained by various parties who were victims to his rapacity. One day a man came along and agreed to cure the horse of his vicious habit for five dollars, and was told to make the experiment. Procuring an old pnit of clothes, the man stuffed it with straw, plentifully besprinkled with cayenne pepper. The lay figure was then lied to a hitching post in the street. The horse was driven down the street and halted within a few feet of the figure; Soon his eyes twinkled at the prospect of a good time, and as soon as ho was left alone, he edged towards the post, made a sudden lunge, and caught the “man” by the shoulder. He meant mischief, but had a surprise in store for .him. As lie lifted the figure off its feet and gave it a few shakes it fell apart, and the biter’s nose, mouth, and eyes were filled with the pepper. Tears roiled down his nose, and he sneezed, snorted, and coughed, and appeared to be deeply chagrined at the general laugh of the spectators who had gathered around him. He backed from the mutilated figure, opened his mouth to cool it, and hung his head with shame, nnd for half the day did not ceate weeping. The experiment acted like a charm. That horse was Cured of his propensity for biting, and is now as gentle as a lamb, and rather invites caresses, but on the approach of a stranger he will shut his eyes and month and shake his head, ns if fearful of another dose of cayenne pepper.