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i i : i ; i . . . 1 FATE OF RACE HORSES IN WAR. s The fates of the race hordes of the countries now I engaged in the gigantic conflict on the Continent Is a- subject full of Interest to American horse lovers. :: That many of them will be sacrificed cannot, how- ever, well help being the case, but some must J surely escape. In war time the most foolish and useless procedures are often the order of the day, and ilernaps nothing could be more utterly foolish i and criminally wasteful, in its way, than the :i wanton sending to war of all the best race horses in a country for the war will uot last rorever. and when it closes there will be the most urgent and vital need of breeding stock wherewith to replenish 1 that countrys equine resources arid rebuild its de- 1 vastated studs. During the Civil War in America many of the best stallions and mares in the North, where the tide- of battle did not penetrate, were conserved, for the government was at no time Torced to coa- : liscate any horses in order to satisry its require- nients. But iu the South it was far different, and a large quota of its best animals were- sarificed, many perishing in battle, many others being captured or carried off, strayed or stolen, their identities andi .their pedigrees alike hopelessly lost. But of all the Incidents of Rebellion history in which horses were concerned, certainlv none was so memorable or so disastrous as that which occured at Woodburn Farm.. Kentucky was one of the "buffer states" during the war and suffered terribly. Mr. Alexander at various times sent certain of his stallions and mares north to get them out of harms way but failed iff the end to use due precaution. In February. 1S05, Woodburn was raided by a band of Southern guerillas, and those in charge forced at the point or the gun to produce the best stallions yet remaining on the place. Of these, the chief were the two trotters Abdallah 15 and Alexanders Bay Chief, by Mainbrino- Chief. Both were run off by the guerillas, but a troop of Federal soldiers went in pursuit and overtook the raiders. A light ensued in which Bay. Chief, ridden by one of the guerilla chiefs, was a conspicuous figure and was mortally wounded. Abdallah was recaptured, unharmed, by a Federal, who, however, refused to give him up, saying- that lie Was valuable and would command a large ransom. So he rode him away. But the stallion was in stud condition, fat and soft, and without shpes. He gave out, after being hard ridden for miles, and was finally turned loose and left bv the road side. Men from Wood-burn found him next day lu a terrible plight and his death from pneumonia quickly followed. Abdallah was then but thirteen years of age, and only an iiiUIihg 6f his real worth was known but the achievements of his offspring and descendants have since demonstrated that in his loss the trotting breed suffered the greatest blow that it has ever sustained, in the preiiiature death of a great progenitor. Although only a scattering few of his get remained behind him, his blood is today to be found in nearly fifty per cent of all 2:10 performers yet produced. The grimness of the tragedy is also emphasized by the fact that only a few weeks later Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox and the war came to an end. all danger to property. North and South, rrom such incursions, being terminated summarily. ir all the racts could be known, a large volume, replete with romantic incidents and thrilling tales, conld be related of similar occurrences, and it is impossible that the present great international European conflict will pass without affording food for similar tales. Aside from the race horses sacrificed the losses of horses or all kinds will be appalling. As is well known, one or Americas chieT sources or supply for heavy horse breeding stock is Belgium, whose products of that variety are in many resneets unequaled. The entire breeding region of that heroic little country has been the scene of some or the most terrific fighting thus far done, and according to cabled descriptions, lias been transformed into district of utter desolation and ruin. It is, of course the human suffering produced by war that Is its chief curse but associated with it are innumerable other forms. After mankind, no other form of life in animal guise feels the force of wars deslructiveness as does the horse. Upon the altar of that impossible deity referred to as "the God of Battles" as if such a god were conceivable to any civilized mind or heart! millions uncounted of the equine kind have been offered in slaughter since first the savages of prehistoric ages went forth against each other in chariots or on horseback. And still the slaughter continues. During he Boor war alone. Great Britain purchased in the United States over 200.000 horses, which were sent,,- to the ..front . in Smith Africa, the great majority- of .them,, never .emerging alive front the hell into "which they were sent. Even now he warring nations are rushing into our horse markets orders for tens of thousands of animals, and if hostilities ! are prolonged for months to come, as is possible or ftvon for a year or more It sickens the sensitive mlud to think of the. number which will go to the slaughter. Horse Review.
