138 



THE HORSE. 



THE HORSE TAMED. 



temper, but possessed of firmness and courage, and accustomed to 

 deal with horses, may gain such a control over even the most 

 vicious, that he can do what he likes with them in-doors. No one 

 who has examined into the matter can doubt Mr. Rarey's power, 

 nor can he refuse him the merit of improving upon the old system 

 of controlling the horse, by the addition of the second leg strap, 

 which adds so much to the power of the human arm, that the most 

 violent and muscular horse has no chance whatever. The secret 

 lies in two essential features ; first, that the horse must never be 

 coerced or resisted unless the man is certain of success in control- 

 ling him ; and, secondly, that when the former is thoroughly con- 

 vinced of his powerless condition, and his muscles are tired out, 

 the latter interferes and relieves him of his trammels, " gentles" 

 him, gives him kind words, and at length encourages him to rise. 

 The effect is marvellous — the most vicious brute, who would pre- 

 viously tear any man to pieces, after he is thus first coerced, and 

 then "gentled" and relieved, appears to grow fond of his master, 

 and follcnvs him about like a dog. Clearly, therefore, Mr. Rarey 

 may be considered as having been eminently successful in pro- 

 pounding a system of horse-taming ; but it by no means follows 

 that his process is equally, or even at all, useful in horse-breakinff. 



