244 THE GRAND SECRET 



has been said, and may be asked again, by Mr. Rarey's 

 supporters, " why has this knowledge never been before 

 communicated to the pubHc ? " Simply because it was 

 observed as a family nostrum or trick by some, and by 

 others regarded as likely to occasion more punishment to 

 the horse than benefit to his rider. For the purpose of 

 mounting a horse only, it is evident there is no necessity 

 whatever to make him assume a recumbent position, from 

 which he always rises with difficulty to himself, and a 

 very unpleasant sensation, if nothing more, to his rider. 

 Those who are fond of teaching animals to perform tricks 

 may take pleasure in making their dogs stand up and beg, 

 and their horses lie down to be mounted at the word of 

 command ; but to talk or write of the utility of such tricks 

 and manoeuvres, in a general point of view, would be 

 ridiculous. 



Now, then, we come to discuss the utility of the plan, 

 if used as a means of subjugating vicious horses ; and, first, 

 we will see what Mr. Rarey writes on this subject, " How 

 to make a horse lie down " : "To make a horse lie down, 

 bend his left fore-leg, and slip a loop over it, so that he 

 cannot get it down ; then put a surcingle around his 

 body, and fasten one end of a long strap around the other 

 fore-leg, just above the hoof. Place the other end under 

 the surcingle, so as to keep the strap in the right direction ; 

 take a short hold of it with your right hand ; stand on the 

 left side of the horse, grasp the bit in your left hand, pull 

 steadily on the strap with your right ; bear against 

 his shoulder till you cause him to move. As soon as he 

 lifts his weight your pulling will raise the other foot, and 

 he will have to come on his knees. Keep the strap tight 

 in your hand, so that he cannot straighten his leg if he 

 rises up. Hold him in this position, and turn his hea,d 



