SECRETARY'S REPORT. 217 



It is well known that a horse always endeavors to touch 

 every object new and strange to him with his nose, and this has 

 led to the opinion that he is peculiarly affected by the odor of 

 things about him. This is, however, a mistake, as tlie horse 

 employs his nose, which is very sensitive and covered with long 

 hairs or feelers, principally for examining objects by the sense 

 of feeling, since he is not favored with a sensitive hand, or foot, 

 or proboscis. 



Many impostors have pretended that by the use of certain 

 odoriferous substances tlicy could gain a complete mastery over 

 the horse. Among the articles recommended for their facinat- 

 ing power are the excrescences found on the inside of the 

 horses' legs which are to be pulverized and blown into the 

 nostrils ; the sweat of the arm-pits upon the hands of the oper- 

 ator, or certain volatile oils, as the oils of rhodium, or of 

 origanum. 



It is perfectly absurd to suppose that any such substances 

 can produce any decided or desirable effect upon the horse, 

 either in taming or in educating him, and many of those who 

 have employed them with apparent success, have confessed that 

 they did so only to deceive, and really derived no benefit from 

 their use. 



It is a well-established fact that no animal, unless frantic 

 with pain or rage, will venture to attack a perfectly fearless 

 man who has the opportunity of fixing his eyes steadily upon 

 those of his opponent. This superiority of man is the result 

 merely of the courage which he exhibits because of his greater 

 intelligence and his ability to rely upon weapons of his inven- 

 tion. When one animal finds himself suddenly in the presence 

 of another fierce and powerful one, he does not stop to delib- 

 erate, but immediately rushes to the conflict, or retreats in 

 haste, while his enemy takes the opposite course with as little 

 delay. But when he confronts a man who knows that his safety 

 depends upon his standing unmoved, or who relies upon some 

 artificial means of defense, the animal is amazed at his boldness, 

 hesitates to begin the attack, and soon slinks away in fear. 

 This calm courage so remarkably possessed by Mr. Rarey, 

 enables him successfully to encounter with no other means of 

 defense than a small whip, and thoroughly to subjugate with 



