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THE VETERINARIAN, APRIL 1, 1858. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. 
Cicero. 
THE TAMING OF VICIOUS HORSES. 
As the subject of “ horse-taming” is occupying more 
than a fair proportion of public attention at the present time, 
and many inquiries on the part of the profession have been 
made respecting it, we have been induced to offer some 
observations upon the system, and to collect from various 
sources the opinions of others, as well as to place before our 
readers the facts which appertain thereto. 
Strictly speaking, however, an objection might be taken to 
the system being designated “ horse-taming,” for it must be 
borne in mind that the horse is not naturally a vicious 
animal, but is next in docility to the dog. Occasional in- 
stances, it is true, of hereditary ill temper almost amounting 
to a vice are to be met with, but unfortunately these are 
often added to by harsh and unkind treatment. 
Mr. John S. Rarey, who has won for himself the appel- 
lation of “The American horse-tamer,” arrived in this 
country a few months since, and at once adopted measures 
to bring his capabilities prominently before the public, and 
with such success, that he soon received not only the 
support of horsemen and dealers, but of noblemen and 
statesmen, and even of royalty itself. We are far from 
objecting to this, but we do raise our voice against England’s 
nobles being bound to the observance of secrecy in this, the 
nineteenth century, at the dictation of transatlantic assurance. 
We say this with no unkind feeling towards Mr. Rarey, 
or a wish to impose any obstacle to his success, but on the 
broad principle of nationality. The day is not only past, 
or at least it ought so to be considered, for combinations to 
be effected to arrest the progress of public advantages — not 
