{66 THE HORSE. 
other alarming agent, to which he would, when fresh and active, show the 
greatest objection. Why, then, should we be astonished that a shorter 
method of exhausting the nervous energy should have the same effect, 
even if it is shown in astill more remarkable manner, as we shall presently 
see it is? As far, therefore, as Mr. Rarey’s principles are concerned [ 
have little to say against them, except that if the third is meant to apply 
to the exhibition of the drum beaten on the backs of his several subjects, 
it is not very ingenuous in the language which is used. 
BeroreE Mr. Rarey came To Eneuanp he had, as I have already 
remarked, published in America a little pamphlet which described his 
several plans for driving a colt from pasture ;—driving into a stable and 
haltering, and the kind of halter used, &c. It also contained an account of 
an experiment with a robe, showing that the horse, as soon as he discovers 
by his senses that an object has no power or will to hurt him, goes up to 
it, and soon becomes regardless -of its presence. All these remarks, how- 
ever, have no interest for my readers, as they are of no utility whatever, 
and the sole remaining contents of the pages which were published by 
Messrs. Routledge, and received with so much interest in this country, 
were the directions for throwing the horse, and afterwards handling, or 
“gentling” him, as the American operator calls the stroking the limbs, 
which he always puts into practice after the horse is down. If this little 
book had been published a few months earlier it would have entirely 
destroyed the pecuniary prospects of the partners, but coming» late as it 
did, it prevented the payment of any more ten guinea subscriptions, 
and reduced the charge for the sight of the process to guinea and half- 
guinea tickets for seats at the Alhambra. I shall, therefore, proceed 
to describe the casting process, as witnessed by myself, and then 
examine into its nature and effect upon the horse, whether in breaking 
or taming hin. 
THE APPARATUS which is required is, first of all, an ordinary snafile or 
straight bit in the mouth, without which nothing could be done with any 
vicious horse; and if any animal is to be “ Rareyfied,” the preliminary 
operation is to get this into the mouth. Stafford was brought to Mr. Rarey 
with the aid of guide-ropes, which were fastened to his head and held by 
grooms on each side. In him, therefore, this first essential point was 
accomplished. Cruiser also had a halter, strengthened with iron, and in 
him also there was a means of laying hold of the head, which was eagerly 
seized by the operator. The plan adopted in his case was to fix an iron 
staple to the door-post, and then running through this a strong leather 
strap, to which a spring hook was attached, the opportunity was seized 
when the horse came open-mouthed to the door, and he was securely laid 
hold of and drawn up to the staple, so as to compel him to allow the 
introduction of a bit. The grey colt at Mr. Anderson’s was bitted; but 
the zebra was loose in his cage, and I do not at all know how the gag in 
which he was exhibited was forced into his mouth, but I believe it was 
effected by a rope thrown round his neck and drawn up to the bars of 
his cage. 
THE SECOND PaRT of the apparatus is the leg-strap for the near fore leg, 
being very similar to a stirrup-leather, which, with the addition of a 
strong loop, can be made to answer the same purpose very well. Before 
applying this strap, which at once makes the horse harmless for offence, 
he must be rendered approachable, which, in ordinary animals, is effected 
merely with the aid of the bridle. In Stafford, however, as I before 
remarked, guide-ropes were used; and in the case of Cruiser, he was 
