THE PROCESS EXPLAINED. 826 



previouslj described, should be put on him before proceed 

 ing' further in the process. 



Tying up the Leg. — With ordinary horses this is not 

 a difficult feat, after the preliminary steps, but in some 

 cases even Mr. Rarey himself has taken two hours before 

 he could accomplish it. Soothing, gentle means are the 

 only ones to be used, such as rubbing and handling the 

 legs, until you can take up the foot as if for shoeing. Then 

 put the noose of strap, Fig. 48, around the lefl fore leg, just 

 below the fetlock, and draw it snug. Raise the foot and 

 pass the strap around the fore-arm, and buckle it. If the 

 horse is to be laid down on tl e left side, the buckle should 

 be on the inside of the leg, so that it can be easily reached 

 when he is down. You may now handle or go about your 

 horse with more freedom, as !ie cannot kick, and will not 

 be able to run very fast. It is well to lead him about for 

 some time, in this condition, before proceeding further. 

 Fig. 51 represents the horse at this stage of the proceedings. 



Laying the Horse Down. — Next, the surcingle ia 

 to be buckled on, and the second strap is put around 

 the right fore-leg, below the fetlock, drawing the noose 

 tightly, and passing the end through the surcingle, 

 as in Fig. 51. The horse is now made to hop, and the 

 moment he moves his right leg the strap is drawn tightly, 

 so as to bring the leg in the same position as the other. 

 This will cause him for a moment to come upon his 

 knees, when the strap may have another turn around 

 the surcingle to secure it. The struggle now com- 

 mences. He rears on his hind legs, and springs violently 

 about, so that some agility is required to keep up with 

 him, but you are merely to follow him about, guiding 

 him as well as you can, so that he does not injure him- 

 self, keeping close to his side, just behind the shoulder 

 holding the br'dle in the left hand, and the end of strap 



