SECRETARY'S REPORT. 231 



that the diverging ends are about twelve feet apart, and upon 

 the outside end of each pole as upon an axle, is a cart wheel 

 which supports it. A pair of stiff, smooth bars of the requisite 

 length are placed about tiiree feet apart upon the long poles 

 passing from one to the other as near the wheels as possible. 

 The outside bar should be made movable so as to admit tlie 

 horse, and then securely fastened by bolts or straps. The horse 

 should be harnessed as in a pair of shafts, but stout straps must 

 be so employed as to render it impossible for him either to rear 

 or kick, or throw himself down. For this purpose one may 

 pass around his body at the girting place, being attached im- 

 movably to the bars, another over his loins or hips, and another 

 under his belly. The horse is now entirely unable to do any 

 damage, and after a few struggles, if vicious enough to attempt 

 resistance, may be driven about the capstan as long as may be 

 necessary to subdue or quiet him. A rider also may mount 

 him and render him submissive and gentle under the saddle. 

 If he persists in being alarmed at any sight or sound, he may 

 now be familiarized with it, and the driver seated upon the pole 

 behind him with a good whip, and if need be a curb bit, as per- 

 suaders, will have little trouble in securing implicit obedience 

 to all his reasonable commands. Of course, the same princi- 

 ples of education must be employed here as elsewhere, and the 

 horse-breaker must not abuse his power by acting the bully 

 over his helpless pupil, but should treat him with the greatest 

 kindness, patting, coaxing, and feeding him, while at the same 

 time convincing him that resistance is unavailing, and wilful 

 disobedience sure to be followed by deserved punishment. 



The method adopted, with such marvelous success by Mr. 

 Rarey for the complete subjugation of wild colts or vicious 

 horses and zebras is very simple and easily understood. To 

 practice it in perfection requires a special talent for the business, 

 although almost any person may manage an ordinary horse. 

 Beginners should commence their first experiments upon well 

 broken horses, and gradually advance to the more difficult cases. 

 The whole secret of the art consists in rendering the horse per- 

 fectly helpless, and making him believe opposition to your 

 wishes is quite useless. This is accomplished by strapping up 

 the nigh fore-leg as in the directions already given for teacliing 

 a colt to lie down, and then laying the horse down once, twice, 



