“POOR HORSES,"

Temuka Leader, Issue 1709, 10 March 1888, Page 4

“POOR HORSES,"

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— ln these depressed times of retrenchment one cannot help seeing its effects, impoverishing or otherwise, look where you will. Even animals feel the crushing influence of depression—conditionally, etc. Relative to the loss of condition in animals, consequent to retrenchment, the race of troopers’ horses seem to have suffered more than any other animal. Perhaps they feel the increased weight the country has drawn upon itself, or perhaps it is the lessening influence of the troubles of the colony on the buoyancy of the riders, that has made these noble steeds’ forms become so superbly genteel. Or, again, perhaps it is the want of sufficient exercise for the digestive organs, the sparingly light nature of the food administered considered, that has given our Government horses such a magic-lantern appearance. Retrenchment in the condition of horses appears to be proceeding at an alarming rate. A striking instance of the reduction in horseflesh (not in price, in quantity produced) came under my notice a few days ago. Seeing a trooper riding along on a very trained-looking horse, that had been formerly kept m the pink of condition, I could not help remarking the pinched look on the poor animal’s face aud its general inclination to lean. Upon making enquiries since, I have found that the deplorably lean state of our law-abiding horses is due to the practice of retrenchment on the horses’ rations, which I am told have been reduced by half. It is pitiful to think that the vengeance of economy should be wreaked on innocent, unoffending horses. Trusting the above may find space in your columns, I am, etc., A Friend to Horses,