198 



THE HORSE 



close to this, he is in no danger, provided he has the sense and the ability 

 to give way if the horse should throw himself down towards his side. The 

 rein, being still held in the left hand, prevents the horse falling away from 

 the operator, and is also used by him as a means of guiding the animal, if 

 he happens to progress in a direction which is not desired. Nothing else is 

 to be attempted till the horse has quite exhausted all his energies, which 

 those possessed of high courage will soon do ; but low-bred animals are very 

 apt to turn sulky, and, refusing to plunge, remain on their knees, in spite 

 of every kind of stimulus which can be given them short of severe punish- 

 ment with the whip, which is to be avoided, as opposed to the principles on 



THE HOUSE ON HIS KNEES, ABOUT TO FALL ON HIS SIDE. 



which the whole process is founded. By taking time with these brutes, 

 they may always be made to tire themselves, for the kneeling position is 

 very irksome to them, and the most stubborn will give a plunge now and 

 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, lias 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 proceso 



