818 rabey's horse-tamlnq. 



chapter has been compiled, and we believe tbat it is tlie 

 best exposition of this system for subduing vicious horses, 

 and for overcoming the fears of timid ones, that has yet 

 been presented to the public. 



The subjugation of vicious horses has been a great de* 

 fiideratum ever since horses were first ridden by man, but, 

 until very recently, there has been no knowledge of a 

 rational means for rendering them docile or tractable. 

 The plans hitherto adopted have generally been too much 

 According to the directions of a Norfolk trainer, of the time 

 of Queen Elizabeth, who wrote as follows : 



** If your horse does not stand still, or hesitates, then alrate him 

 i^ith a terrible voyce ; and beat him yourself with a good sdcke 

 apon the head between the ears ; and then sdck him in the spurring 

 Dlace iii or iiii dmes together, with one legge after another, as fast 

 as your legges might walk : your legges must go like two bouncing 

 beedes.** 



The most celebrated horse-tamer before Rarey^s time 

 was an Irishman, named Dan Sullivan, known as the 

 "Irish whisperer," who would, after a half hour's private 

 interview with the most vicious horse, bring him out per- 

 fectly tamed, — so long as he himself used him ; but he 

 would not remain docile in the hands of other persona. 

 Sullivan pretended to have got his secret from a pool 

 soldier, who revealed it as an Indian charm. The secret 

 was given by Sullivan to one of his sons, but it is not now 

 known. Probably it was not capable of a general appli- 

 cation. 



All other methods of taming very vicious horses, so far 

 ds we have any information, have been based on cruelty 

 and harsh treatment, and they were never entirely suo- 

 C5esaful, 



