The Express.
London, England, 1859-12-12 00:00:00

MX ItatlTO LECTOI7I3.

Mr. limey's theory of horse-taming has now
attained that position In !pub& esthnetion and opinion, has
which we shall have to date either its establishment as •
preoticed seems or its not very remote exploits as • piece
of ingenious empiricism. The mask of screcy has been
dropped, the charm of novelty has faded away, and the
period of close scrutiny and noting of results has vigorously
satin. In fact, the whole of the equestrian world Is now
divided into two schools, the Rareyansand the setti-Eareyena,
end the prodesew le, at each succeseive exhibition, subsided
S the most searching testa, asked the most probing tmeedoes,
and obliged to listen with exemplary patience; to
some not complimentary hints, in which the word
"humbug" not =frequently tranapirs. For ourselves, we
have narrowly watched Mr. Earey's experiments from the
commencememt of his public exhibitions in England down to
his farewell metropolitan leans an Saturday liam, we are
firmlyof opinion that his system will coots out of all thlaffery
ordeal an adeldished fact, sad that gradually we shall have
established amongst us a more humane and rational system
of borsabreaklng than that by which the noblest of ell
qtuidrupsda has been so long and so wantonly tormented.
We do not man to say that familiarity with Mr. Ramis
method at all sustains the wonder with which his first ex-
periments were greeted; for from it; but the same may he
BS of every great innovation, and quite enough still re-
mains to render the information he communicates and the
principles he lays down a mat valuable contribution
to our knowledge on a nationally important sub-
ject. The key to Mr. Rarey's theory seems to be
this, that whereas all former hosebreakats carried
on their coercive measures in wearisome detail, spreading
them over a lengthened period, prolonging the torture of the
horse, and spoiling his temper by the Maumee of an ever
incomplete mastery, Mr. Reny concentrates his efforts upon
one great demonstration, by which the subjugation of the
horse is made so complete, that all thoughts of future resist-
ance are entirely dedicated. If Mr. Ratey's theory be sound
—that he is himself a dame believer in it we do not for a
moment doubt—it will be not only of tamenee advantage in
ite seetkel results, but it will open up a new and vest field
inquiry tato the psychokirkal oonatitutiou:of the lower
simile, end ss to whether the line to be drawn between
human reason end brute instinct Is quits so broad es it has
hitherto been supposed to be. Mr. Barry eon&
&ally asserts that by his preliminary propos, one
or twice repeated, he convinces the horse that ma Is his
natural master, and that, having thus tint secured hie karand
respect, he by subsequent gentleness and kindness obtains
hie affection. Be it °burred that he bassi everything on
the assumption that the hone is to a certain extent a reason-
big animal, and capable of jigging of the oonnexion between
nose and effect ; that he hes warm affections, capacity far
gratitude, and a most tenacious and discriminating memory.
There bus not as yet been time, nor a sufficiently extends
adoption of the Rarey system, to Plenty 111 in implicitly so-
; °sung these doctrines, but quits enough has been crone to
fix public &Pennon on them as something well:worthy of
I fortis' investigation, to instals curiosity, and to encourage
t the pleasant hope, that through their dissemination sad
! diecussionot means may be furnished to us by which we
shall be able to train the horse to our use with all the grade-
r neas and consideration which so noble and undid e:friend
de-
s serves.

The experiments of Iletarday last were eminently sane.
factory, the more so ae that. was not the slightest mystery

about them. Mr. Baru antdeed the horse CI as ;simple a
process as that by which Columbus made the egg stand cm
its smaller end. Every one who saw it knew all about that
before," but nobody Dad ever thought: of reducing it to •
"yam, or o applying it at the right time and in the pro-
per manner. Cruiser was first introduced, in high spirits,
excellent condition, and the sweeteri state of temper imagi-
nable. He did not even reclaim to De "hobbled," but the
moment he saw the strap he lay down, as readily u we are
told Colonel Crookett's opportune came down from the
tree the moment they saw the infallible gun. He followed
Mr. Esrey round the arena like • dog, stopped when he was
told, and gave his foot to be shaken, according to the
moot approved form of friendly greeting. Finally, he took
the end of a strew which was presented to him, playfully in
Die month, and permitted himself to ha led by It about the
ring, merely indulging in some subdued terpsichorean more-
l:QM:lts dories the provers. Jut as he retired he gave, it is
true, rather an energetic lash out behind, and a sufficiently
audible neigh, but this we apprehend must be looked upon
malty as a sort of pleasure of memory, and not a proof of
any premeditated intention to relapse into, the wicked ways
of former times. The mond pupil was a thorough-
bred chestnut mare, of alight frame, and evi-
dently nervous and irritable temper. Up to Satur-
day last she had displayed an inatioctive antipathy
to being groomed, and used constantly to kick out fearfully
at whoever approached her with the currycomb. This lady
pupil gave the professor more trouble then balls score of his
male disciples. Although thrown reputedly and with the
slightest difficulty, it wu only by slow degrees that she
could be convinced of her subjugation. She was eternally
popping up her haul for another " test word," bat at tut
became thoroughly convinced, and left the ring with a pro-
priety of deportment which would have done honour to Mi-
nerve lioncce. The last subject wee • noble tray, tbree-quarters

_
bred, good for a stylish roach-horse or weight-carrying
hunter. Be,we were told, in a letter from the proprietor,
which wee read by Mr. Rarey, bed an objection to every-
thing except abundance of corn and an unlimited range
of pasture. No one dared to groom him—to ride him was
death, and to approach him was to be bitten. The struggle
between this powerful animal and his fearless:tamer was one
of the moat exciting sights that could possibly be imagined,
The hone was evidently " dazad" a little on first coming
out, by the thousands of human faces he saw peerlugathimon
every side, and Mr. Rarey dexterously seised this opportunity
for taking his first position close to the animal's shoulder.
Throwing one arm over hie neck he stroked him gently with
the other, whilst the distended nostril and quivering frame
showed that the horse was preparing for the struggle. And
a desperate struggle ensued, in which the sweet poured off
both horse and man, but it wan a short one, sad when
the former was cn the ground Mr. Reny pawed
over him in the usual manner, making his. power
be particularly felt about the head, as a hist that biting was
to be an interdicted pastime for the future. On rearuniog his
feet • portion of the old vicious spirit seemed to return, and
the horse reared tearfully, but in a moment Mr. &trey leaped
at him, mounted on his bare back, and, notwithstanding the
most tremendous attempts to throw him off, remained Axed
in his position as • 01111•111% When the hoops attempted to
rear, Mr. Kathy threw himself forward and kept him down;
when he kicked be allowed him free scope until he was tired ;
when he attempted to run sway be turned him round
and round, until the permission to stand still cams
to be considered rather in the light of • favour,
Nee he let him off at a fa gelbp down the litiO, to