IKJURIESFEOM CHARLATANS. 171 



the corners of the mouth, while, by using one untram- 

 meled, the horse heeds its suggestions quicker, and the dri- 

 ver is not met by an opposing force which often counteracts 

 the effect intended. The muscles of the human arm are 

 far better than any dumb jockey, St. Andrew's cross, or 

 other contrivance used to mouth horses, and keep the sen- 

 sitiveness and delicacy of the bars uninjured. The force 

 is regulated by attending circumstances, and one thorough 

 lesson given in this way, will effect more than any one not 

 familiar with the plan would believe possible. I do not 

 believe in talking much to the colts when breaking them. 

 A pat on the neck, or the hand passed caressingly over the 

 face and nostrils, is much preferable to many words or- 

 much fussing. The commands should be distinct, and the 

 tones of the voice, when giving them, as little varied as 

 possible. Every command must be enforced, and hence the 

 greatest caution must be observed that we do not require 

 what the colts cannot yet be expected to perform. There 

 is no question but that much benefit followed the teach- 

 ings of Rarey, though I am just as positively certain that 

 the injuries resulting from charlatans, who have traveled 

 over the country exhibiting their ignorance and brutality 

 has more than counterbalanced the good. I saw an in- 

 stance of this lately where a fine young mare the get of 

 the Falcon, and out of a thoroughbred dam was the victim. 

 She had been suffered to grow up without handling, and 

 being a large, powerful animal, her owner disliked to com- 

 mence with her education himself. A pair of these travel- 

 ing knaves who advertised to out-Rarey Rarey, and claimed 

 to know all of his method of " horsemanship," and a good 

 deal more, took this mare in hand. The battle between 

 the noble animal and the base bipeds was severe. They 

 had tied a rope round her hind pastern and into the bit, 

 and the result was what any one of sense might have ex- 

 pected. She tore her mouth to pieces, and injured the leg 



