No. 215 - THE PENNY MAGAZINE - Aug. 8, 1835

MONOMANIA IN HORSES.

THE following curious facts are extracted from a paper by Professor Rodet, in 'The Veterinarian,' a sensible monthly publication:-

"In 1806, during the campaign of Austerlitz, a Piedmontese officer possessed a beautiful, and, in other respects, a most serviceable mare, but which one peculiarity rendered at times exceedingly dangerous for the saddle. She had a decided aversion to paper, which she immediately recognized the moment she saw it, and even in the dark if one or two leaves were rubbed together. The effect produced by the sight or sound of it was so prompt and so violent, that in many cases she unhorsed her rider; and one case, his foot being entangled in the stirrup, she dragged him a considerable way over a stony road. In other respects, this mare had not the slightest fear of objects that would terrify most horses. She regarded not the music of the band, the whistling of the balls, the roaring of the cannon, the fire of the vivouacs, or the glittering of arms. The confusion and noise of an engagement made no impression upon her; the sight of no other white object affected her; no other sound was regarded; the view or the rustling of paper along roused her to madness. All possible means were employed to cure her of this extraordinary and dangerous aberration, but without success; and her master was at length compelled to sell her, for his life was in continual danger.

"A mare belonged to the Guard-Royal from 1816 to 1821. She was perfectly manageable, and betrayed no antipathy to the human being, nor to other animals, nor to horses, except they were of a light grey colour: but the moment she saw a grey horse she rushed upon it, and attacked it with the greatest fury. It was the same at all times and every where. She was all that could be wished on the stable; but such was her hatred towards grey or white horses, that it was dangerous to place them in the same stable with her, at whatever distance. If she once caught a glimpse of one, whether horse or mare, she rested not until she had thrown her rider, or broken her halter, and then she rushed on it with the greatest fury, and bit it in a thousand places. She generally, however, seized the animal by the head or by the throat, and held it so fast that she would suffocate it if it were not promptly released from her bite.

"As she grew old (for she was eighteen years old in 1821), this mania was not quite removed, but it was somewhat weakened. No other body of a white colour appeared to make the least impression on her.

"A mare, belonging to the fifth squadron of hussars, feared, on the contrary, all white inanimate objects--such as white mantles or coats, even the sleeves of shirts and chemises too much displayed, and particularly white plumes. When any of these white bodies, and especially in motion, were suddenly perceived, if they were of any magnitude, and their motion was rapid, she was in a dreadful fright, and strove to escape; but if they were of no great size, and moved more gently, she rushed furiously upon them, struck at them with her fore-feet, and endeavoured to tear them with her teeth. No other colours produced the slightest effect upon her, nor did the appearance, however sudden, of white horses or dogs of the same colour; but if a white plume waived, or a white sheet of paper floated by her, her fear or rage was ungovernable.

"These three cases of singular and particular aversion, possess, in my mind, all the characters of true monomania."