I bought this at a yard sale today. Women wanted a dime, but I would only give her a nickel. Money is no object when I have to have something. I have never done an elephant ride, and am wondering if anybody knows why or when this style of howda changed to the tradition sitting astride the elephant. Old photos they loaded from both sides instead of one, and this way seems more comfortable, buy I would think more dangerous?
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Poster stamp from the Bronx Zoo 1927
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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9 comments:
Maybe loading speed, as the old style howda required turning the elephant. Also the older style was probably a lot heavier and harder to lift. That's a guess. May be a zoo thing as well. Most of the photos of the older rides come from zoos and animal parks. Circus would have been more concerned with weight and where to carry the howda. As you mentioned, safety may have become a big factor at some point. Hefting some of the heavy steel howdas covered with foam and layers of tape it doesn't take too long to appreciate the lighter welded aluminum howdas some people have fabricated.
Ben,
I don't think they turned them around. They had ramps on both sides, and they just walked the elephant between and on/off loaded from both sides.
Wade
Wade. That makes sense. Pretty cool. It's a sign of my age and forgetfulness, but I can't remember how the elephant ride at the zoo in the early '80's loaded at all.
In Aussie zoos they always rode like in this photo but with longer howdas - usually about 4 people on each side [depending on butt size!].
The zoos had permanent elevated loading stations which the punters accessed via stairs. The elephant would walk in between and so loading was done from both sides. The keeper rode the elephant's neck - just in front of the howda.
No zoos have ele rides now - too politically incorrect and all that walking couldn't possibly be good for the elephant. Could it?
For those that haven't seen Buckles Blog today, there is a photo of Jumbo between the loading docks on both sides. It gives a real good view of how it was done back then.
If I recall correctly, I've seen photos from Benson's Animal Park taken in the 1930's at least that still loaded from both sides.
Bob
Steve,
I think the outrageous insurance premiums played a major role in the demise of the elephant ride in zoos.
Bobby,
I have seen pictures of Charlotte Walsh doing the rides at Bensons also. Maybe the need for fast up and down in the circus led to one ride platform instead of 2. Possibly also women/girls wearing pants instead of dresses made straddling the beast more feasible also? On which type of howda could you load more people? I have seen pictures of a load on the double sided type.
Wade
Mr. Burck, with all due to respect to the offer of the horse or goats, well i own 13 horses and soon 14 as the goats well i eat them so sorry nice offer...but as we say in the old country no peso no goat taco. But anyway that book is one of the most precious items i own, especially when its signed to Sacha, wishing him luck in his hunts. If its the sacha i am thinking of that went after jaguar in south America only using a dog and a lance, well i hate to say i pass on your offer. I also have in my possesion a set of the dissolution divorce papers on L.E. Barnes. Cleanraul
Wade i meant A.G. Barnes not L. E Barnes which i plan to donate to the Baraboo museam when i kiss this world good bye . Raul
Hey CleanRaul,I have a set of those dissolution papers too,do you think the museum might want them....LOL....As for eating the goats,have you ever tried pink ones,they tell me they taste like chicken....
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