Page:OntheConductofMantoInferiorAnimals.pdf/73

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64
HORSE RACING.

ity of the action, that consideration never enters his stupid brain. It is certain that horses are far more noble, and more valuable animals in this world than five out of ten of their masters.

From a catalogue of cruelty and abuse practised on this beautiful animal, I will adduce only the following.

"A young jockey, who rode for various employers, described, very feelingly, the painful situation in which he then found himself; be had ridden thehorse of a gentleman, who kept several in training, and of whom he had received many favours; but tho' he had exerted all his skill with one horse, he found it impossible to win. He was engaged to ride the same horse again. He represented to his employer the impossibility of winning. His reasoning, however, was not calculated to make any impression on the flinty heart of this Smithfield sportsman. He abused the lad for his tenderness, and his orders were to "Make him win, or cut his entrails out. Mark, if you do not give him his belly-full of whip, you shall never ride again for me. I'll find horse, if you'll find whip and spur!" The generous animal ran three four-mile heats without flinching, with such an excess of exertion, that his eyes seemed ready to start from their sockets, but he was unsuccessful. I saw him, with an aching heart," says our humane author, "literally cut up alive, from his shoulder to his flank, his sheath in ribbands, and his testicles laid bare. To my great mortification, no one rebuked the thick headed miscreant, who was the author of this useless piece of cruelty, except his jockey; who swore he would perish for want, rather than repeat such a business of blasted infamy."—Laurence on Horses.