HINTS TO OPERATORS. wey 
then to relieve themselves, though they will not follow up one with 
another as speedily as a thoroughbred. Sooner or later (the time varying 
from ten minutes to two or three hours), the tail begins to tremble, the 
flanks heave, and a profuse perspiration breaks out, which are signs that 
the horse of himself desires the recumbent position, and will lie down of 
his own accord, if not pulled over by the right hand of the operator. Mr. 
Rarey, in his public exhibitions, has never, as far as I am aware, waited 
for this to take place, but, perhaps to prevent wearying his audience, has 
always pulled his patient over on his side as soon as, he could accomplish 
the feat. In many cases, this impatience has led to a partial failure ; the 
horse, not being tired out, has refused to submit, and it has only been 
after repeating the process once or twice that complete control has been 
obtained. Those gentlemen, therefore, who wish to try the experiment 
for themselves will do well to avoid any risk of a repetition, which they 
may not be able to manage with the dexterity of the great American 
tamer. Let them wait till the horse is thoroughly tired, and then only 
interfere to such an extent as to keep him leaning towards their side, 
by laying hold of the right rein instead of the left, as shown in the 
engraving at page 169; and drawing the head away from themselves. 
Mr. Rarey generally used the right hand for this purpose, when he wished 
to throw his patient before he was exhausted, because he could in that 
way employ more force ; and, at the same time, his dexterity was such, 
that, if a bound was made, he was always ready to hold the strap attached 
to the off foot before the horse could get fairly on his hind legs. In 
whichever way, the task is accomplished, the effect is apparently the same 
—the horse les extended on his side, panting and sweating, in the most 
exhausted condition ; but, of course, showing more of these symptoms of 
distress the longer he has been kept resisting the restraints put upon him. 
Now comes the test of the practical ability of the operator; for whereas 
before he had only plain directions to carry out, he has at this stage to 
judge how far his efforts are successful. If he takes off the straps too 
soon, the patient is patient no longer, but rises rapidly, and perhaps 
rewards him by planting a severe blow on his ribs. It is here that Mr. 
Rarey displayed his great skill to perfection. Apparently by intuition, he 
knew when his pupil was mastered; but, as he was always ready to 
explain, it was really by two symptoms that he judged whether he had 
gained the mastery or not. One of these was the expression of the eye, 
which it would be difficult to describe, and which experience alone could 
adequately convey to those who wish to understand it; but the other, being 
readily tested, is within the reach of every one. This consists in the 
entire flaccidity of the muscles of the neck and limbs ; and until this is 
ascertained to have been obtained, the straps should not be entirely 
removed. Mr. Rarey’s plan of proceeding at this stage was the following. 
A second or two after the horse went down, he let him raise his head, and 
then dragged it down again to the ground by the mane. On repeating 
this once, twice, or thrice, the animal would give in as far as that part 
was concerned ; and being rewarded with a pat of the hand, the head 
remained still on the ground, and that part was “gentled.” Next re. 
moving the leg straps, the fore legs were separately gently rubbed down- 
wards ; and on being lifted, and let fall, as if dead, they also were passed 
as in a similar satisfactory state. The operator then going round by the 
back, proceeded to gentle the hind limbs ; and though, in vicious horses, 
he sometimes had narrow escapes of being kicked, yet, by his great activity 
and clever mode of seizing his opportunity, he always succeeded in keeping 
