458 FAMILIAR TALK 



have him reveal his true character, when I could easily 

 determine the line of treatment to pursue. 



For nearly twenty years I have been experimenting 

 almost continually in this way upon all kinds of horses, so 

 that I have been able to prove beyond doubt, by the 

 most exact experimental tests, the effectiveness and 

 superiority of the methods of treatment given. I was at 

 first, like others, greatly misled, by the pretensions and 

 assumed success of Rarey, into believing that there must 

 be more in that method of treatment than I had yet been 

 able to discover. On this account I was induced to try the 

 treatment hundreds of times in cases upon which I had prac- 

 tically failed, with the hope of catching this hidden secret, 

 until I was able to comprehend beyond all doubt its exact 

 effect upon all kinds of horses. This ultimately brought 

 me to the conclusion that back of it was gross trickery, 

 which it was necessary, if possible, to unearth and explain. 

 Indeed, the fascination and mystery in the public mind in 

 relation to this treatment was constantly a source of 

 embarrassment to me. The question, " Is your treatment 

 anything like Rarey's ? " was quite common. Or, if I 

 hinted the least doubt of being able to control as by magic 

 the most difficult case brought me, it would be made the 

 basis of the unpleasant assertion that Rarey claimed to be 

 able to subdue any horse in the world. If I could not 

 assume to do as much, it w^as j)lain evidence that my treat- 

 ment was not so good as his. Of course, when once able 

 to form a class, I could make clear the limited and imper- 

 fect character of his treatment. Indeed, I would consider 

 this work seriously defective were the explanation given 

 to be omitted, as without it there must exist a strong vein 

 of mystery and doubt as to the correct principles and true 

 key of subjection. 



I have also been frequently startled, even of late years? 



