432 ON THE DISEASES OF THE HOK3ES IN CANADA. 
Taming Vicious Horses. 
From the “ New York Spirit of the Times .” 
The Editor of the “ Southern Planter” undertakes to let his 
readers into the secret of taming wild or vicious horses. We 
quote his account of the matter, in the hope that the experiment 
will be tried, as it can be very readily, and without cost. Some 
one says of this wonderful art, that it is founded upon a system of 
philosophy which is infallible, and universal in its application, and 
extends to all the animal kingdom. In regard to the horse, it con- 
sists in convincing him that you are his superior, and have abso- 
lute power over him. The system is somewhat akin to animal 
magnetism in its effects ; though the process is widely different : 
but listen to friend Bott’s disclosure. 
The process of taming a very wild horse, which was never 
handled. This consists first by charming him by a powder which is 
obtained by taking the button from the horse’s knee (by which I 
mean the horny substance growing on the inside or rather on the 
back part of the horse’s leg, below the knee behind, and above it 
before). Dry this substance, and pulverize it; put a small quantity 
into a quill, and blow it into his nostrils : in a few minutes it will 
operate, and cause him to follow you, or permit you to handle his 
feet, or get upon his back ; thus, wdth perfect ease, may a wild 
and vicious animal be made gentle and harmless. However absurd 
the above may seem, we have ourselves witnessed the most magi- 
cal effects from the use of this singular prescription. We remem- 
ber that, about a year ago, a horse tamer made his appearance in 
the city of Richmond, and offered to undertake the most vicious 
animal that could be produced. We saw him encounter an un- 
broken young stallion, which he -subdued; in fifteen minutes he 
was climbing to the horse’s back by way of his hind legs. Some- 
times even stranger feats were performed, to the great wonder and 
admiration of our citizens. We were not the depository of this 
secret, and, therefore, are not guilty of any breach of confidence in 
betraying it ; but we know he professed to use no other means to 
subdue the horse than the one above alluded to. 
P.S. — I do not place much credence in this statement, because I 
know the Yankees “lie like hatters.” 
Believe me, 
Yours, most truly. 
