APPENDIX. 205 



the tail for at least a week. But if the colt is over-sensitive and vi- 

 cious, subject carefully to subjective treatment first. Use the mildest 

 treatment you can, and win the better nature by kindness. When 

 the animal submits from necessity, at once give presents of apples, 

 oats or anything else of which the horse is fond. This is a powerful 

 point, especially in the management of those horses that are sensitive, 

 but if excited that are recklessly obstinate. 



TAMING HORSES. 



It is not a little amusing to read the accounts of different writers of 

 the powers exhibited by different persons at different times over vicious 

 horses. Indeed, the simplest exhibitions of control over horses were 

 regarded within the domain of the black art. And it is not a little 

 singular that, in the broad sunlight of the present era of intelligence, 

 there are many who believe that there can be but few in any age who 

 can be gifted with such power. 



Like the soothsayers and doctors of old times, who consulted the 

 horoscope of the stars, or resorted to some complicated, mysterious 

 humbugging, to have revealed the secret and Aeans of cure, there has 

 been an enchantment and mystery about the control of the horse, that 

 has been regarded with open-mouthed wonder. 



In 1825, a man named Bull, who lived in Stanton le Vale, in Lin- 

 colnshire, Eng., was renowned for his exhibitions of power over vicious 

 horses. His art was a secret of the greatest importance. Mr. T. John 

 son, a neighbor, owning a very vicious horse, was induced to take him 

 to Bull to be tamed, and finally induced Bull to teach him (Johnson) 

 the secret, paying therefor a large price. Bull's secret was explained 

 as follows: First catch your horse, then strap the near fore leg up 

 round the arm of the animal ; lead him about on three legs until he 

 becomes tired or weary. He will then allow you to handle him any- 

 where. Then attach a strap with a ring to the off fore fetlock ; to this 

 ring fasten another strap, which, being brought over the horse's back to 

 the near side, is put through the ring on the off fore fetlock. Return 

 the end of the strap to the near side, keeping fast hold, and move the 

 animal on and pull. He will then be thrown upon his knees, when, 

 after struggling some time, by gentle usage, he will lie down. After 

 unloosing the straps again, put him through the same process as be- 

 fore, when the horse will lie down whenever required. Dick Chislian's 

 (also a noted horse-tamer) secret consisted of tying up the near fore 

 foot, and so driving or riding him until entirely manageable. A man 

 named Sullivan, who lived in Mallow, Ireland, in 1820, by some means 

 learned this secret. He pretended his secret was in a peculiar way of 

 whispering into the horse's ear, and the most intelligent people of that 

 town, ev» n the parish priest, regarded his performances with more 

 than wou'^er ; and even yet, in that part of Ireland, Sullivan's exploits 

 are refer; /'d to with a sort of awe, that is as surprising as it is amusing. 



A Di»fl. Offut, who traveled mostly in the south and west, claimed 

 the mos'i wonderful powers over horses. His secret was the same, 

 with slJght variations, as Bull's, and it was claimed by Offut that he 



