MEDICINES, UP. DKUCtS, 405 



The man who was most instrumental in teaching this 

 method of " throwing," was Mr. 0* H. P. Fancher, before 

 referred to, who chiimed to have given Rarey instructions 

 on the practical application of the method of subjection 

 which he practiced. In 1865 and '66, I traA^eled through 

 his section of country, and hired to him one of my horses 

 trained to drive without reins, when he took the road, 

 teaching my system, and abandoned the medicine scheme. 

 * Catlin, describing his travels among the North Ameri- 

 can Indians, mentions the manner of their taming horses 

 as follows : — 



" The Indian coils his lasso on his arm and gallops 

 fearlessly into the herd of wild horses, and soon gets it 

 over the neck of one of the number, when he instantly dis- 

 mounts so as to hold him dow^n and prevent him from 

 turning over on his back. He now gradually advances 

 until he is able to place his hand on the animal's nose and 

 over his eyes, and breathe into his nostrils, when the horse 

 becomes so docile and conquered, that by removing the 

 hobbles from the feet, he can be led or ridden into canqD 

 with very little difficulty." 



According to this statement, which seems reliable, 

 covering the eyes and breathing into the nostrils of the 

 wild horse, was the princijDal means of his subjection ; if 

 true, it would be an easy and simple matter to make a 

 vicious horse gentle. I have repeatedly tried the experiment 

 upon all kinds of horses, and found it would not produce 

 any appreciable effect for me, and consider it practically of 

 no more account than merely stroking the head and nose 

 with the hand. 



I might add many other pretended secrets, but none of 

 them are worthy of much consideration. Ostlets, before 

 referred to, taken from a vigorous horse, properly prepared 

 and used, may produce very satisfactory results, especially 



