ILLUSTRATIVE CASES. ' 145 



reckless that he was in that region of country known by the name 

 of Wild Pete, Every effort to break him had failed. It usually re- 

 quired two men to hold him while being groomed. He could be rid- 

 den, but it was utterly impossible to do anything with him in harness. 

 Once when a harness was put on him,' he became so frightened and 

 reckless that he jumped and got away, and when found, all the har- 

 ness excepting the collar had been torn or shaken off. His fear was 

 so great that he was frightfully wicked in his resistance. 



When I visited the place in 1869, I was confronted with this 

 horse. All said, " Let us see you drive Wild Pete," regarding jt as a 

 good joke that they had a horse that could "beat the horse-tamer." 



Fig. 183.— Pole Rig. 



Upon examination, I found him a small, closely-knit fellow, 

 possessing great action and power of endurance. His forehead was 

 broad, and the head in all respects well formed. To test him, I put 

 on the War Bridle, tied up his near fore foot, and while holding 

 him, with the lash of a straight buggy wHip barely touched his 

 quarters. This frightened him so intensely that he sprang over six 

 feet into the air, kicked violently, pulled away' from me and al- 

 though on three legs, repeated this jumping and kicking for over 

 half a mile. 



I stated to the people that I could not break such a horse in a 

 barn,' but would form a class, and on the following day I would 

 drive him before them without breeching, entirely gentle and fear- 

 less, and that the money for the instructions might be deposited in 

 10 a v 



