CRUISER IN THE POWER OF HIS MASTER. 



133 



eutire control of the horse is only a work of time. The arrange- 

 ment of these straps is well shown in the engraving, where Crui- 

 ser is sketched ready for the final struggle. Up to this time, almost 



CRUISER IN THE POWER OF HIS MASTER. 



every horse will he tolerably quiet and unresisting, some squeal- 

 ing when any approach is made to their elbows to tighten the sur- 

 cingle, and others when the strap No. 2 is slipped through it. Few 

 however, plunge much ; and if they are made to hop on three legs, 

 they are able to go on for so long a time, without producing the neces- 

 sary amount of fatigue, that the operator would be tired before his 

 pupil. It is at this stage — that is to say, with the use of the leg- 

 strap No. 1 — that the predecessors of Mr. Rarey stopped, and they 

 consequently failed to gain the absolute control which he has in- 

 variably obtained with the slight, but really important, additions 

 which he has made, and which he uses in the ingenious manner 

 which I shall now describe. It may be observed that, with a vio- 

 lent horse, it is always better to let him feel his want of power for 

 doing mischief with the near fore leg strapped up, and the slight 

 degree of fatigue which a few minutes' hopping will produce, be- 

 ll^ 



