200 



THE HORSE 



as soon as the animal stood on his legs again. Calling for a saddle, it was 

 in every case shown to the horse, and put first on his head, then on his 

 neck, and finally in its proper place. The animal then always submitted to 

 be mounted, and even allowed the dangerous plan recommended and adopted 

 by Mr. Rarey, of standing close to the hind-quarter while putting the foot 

 in the stirrup, to be carried out without kicking, which before the " Rarey- 

 fication " most of the vicious brutes operated on in public would probably 

 have done. 



By this plan, it is indisputable that any active man, of good temper, 

 but possessed of firmness and courage, and accustomed to deal with horses, 

 may gain such a control over even the most vicious, that he can do what 



THE HORSE TAMED. 



he likes with them indoors. No one who has examined into the matter 

 can doubt Mr. Rarey 's powei', nor can he refuse him the merit of improv- 

 ing upon the old system of controlling the horse, by the addition of ,the 

 second leg-strap, which adds so much to the power of the human ai^m, 

 that the most violent and muscular horse has no chance whatever. The 

 secret lies in two essential features ; first, that the horse must never be 

 coerced or resisted unless the man is certain of success in controlling him ; 

 and, secondly, that when the former is thoroughly convinced of his power- 

 less condition, and his muscles ai'e tired out, the latter interferes and 

 relieves him of his trammels, " gentles " him, gives him Icind words, and 

 at length encourages him to rise. The efibct is marvellous — the most 

 vicious brute, who would previously tear any man to pieces, after he is 

 thus first coerced, and then " gentled " and relieved, appears to grow fond 

 of his master, and follows him about like a dog. Clearly, therefore, Mr, 



