20 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDEE. 



in fact, that he is an animal beautiful to look at, but tho- 

 roughly useless to mankind. 



Now, to cure this disorder, the wild beast, for such 

 he is, with great precaution, by several guy-ropes, is 

 led close to the wheel of a waggon, under which Mr. 

 Rarey, putting his hands through the spokes, manages 

 to lift up and gently strap up one fore-leg, and to affix 

 a long strap to the fetlock of the other, which two 

 simple operations at once ensure the victory he is about 

 to attain. 



As it gives a horse not the slightest pain or incon- 

 venience to stand for a short time on one fore-leg, 

 Cruiser, while "amazed he stares around," is scarcely 

 aware that he is doing so ; and as he is totally uncon- 

 scious of the existence of the other strap, he is perfectly 

 astounded to find that no sooner does he attempt to 

 resent Mr. Rarey 's bold approach and grasp, than, ap- 

 parently by the irresistible power of man, he is suddenly 

 deprived of the use of both his fore-legs. 



The longer and the more violently he can be en- 

 couraged to resist, the more deathlike will be the trance 

 in which he is about to lie. He struggles struggles 

 struggles until, as in the three instances we have 

 described, his courage all at once evaporates, and with 

 heaving flank, panting nostrils, palpitating heart, flabby 

 muscles, and the perspiration bursting through every pore 



