SECRETARY'S REPORT. 233 



hira is a bridle with the gag-bit, and around his body a surcingle 

 with a stout ring under the belly through which to pass and 

 fasten the straps or hobbles upon the feet. The nigh fore-foot 

 is strapped as usual at the commencement of the operation of 

 taming. Upon the off fore-foot is a strap by which this foot is 

 to be pulled up and either firmly held in the hand after passing 

 under the surcingle, or through the ring ; or the strap may be 

 drawn through a spring-buckle attached to the surcingle so that 

 when once drawn up it will not slip back. The hobbles on the 

 hind feet are not generally necessary, but very violent brutes 

 will kick even after they are down, and such must have all their 

 feet drawn up to the surcingle and tied there until they 

 surrender. 



After a wild colt or horse has been thus exhausted and 

 subjugated, a saddle or harness may be brought and laid upon 

 his body, and then he may be allowed to get up and will permit 

 them to be put on without alarm. The operator should sit, and 

 lie down, and stand upon various parts of the prostrate and 

 conquered animal, and after he rises may mount him with 

 perfect safety. 



The process of taming or subduing a horse may be under- 

 taken in a smooth, open field, but can be performed most ex- 

 peditiously and satisfactorily in an inclosure about thirty feet 

 square, altliough a smaller space will answer. 



All other persons and horses, and every thing that could 

 distract the attention of the subject, should be removed from 

 sight or hearing. The floor or ground should be covered with 

 sawdust, or tan-bark, or straw, so as to prevent injury to the 

 horse's knees, and it is safer always to use upon valuable, 

 spirited horses, knee-pads. 



As soon as the horse finds that his fore-legs are confined he 

 will begin to struggle more or less violently to free himself. 

 There is little danger either to the horse or man provided the 

 operator be calm and stand just back of the subject, guiding 

 him and restraining him with the reins. His resistance will 

 also be less vigorous if he be compelled to hop about upon three 

 legs until evidently fatigued, before the attempt be made to 

 force him to lie down. Some horses will rise upon tlicir hind 

 legs but once or twice, while others will rear and plunge in a 

 manner quite alarming to those who do not understand how 



