Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-10-21
SECRET OF HoRsE.TAM1Na.

TEACHING HIM TO LIE DowN.-.The
horse to be operated upon should be led into
close stable. The operator should be pre-.
viously provided with a stousleather halter !;
looped strap to slip over the animals knee !;
strong surcingle. and long and short
strap-the first to fasten round the fore:foot
which is at liberty, and the second to per.
manently secure the leg which is looped up.
In the frat place, if the horse be bitter,
muzzle him; then lift and bend his left fore
leg, and slip loop overit. The leg which
is looped up must be secured by applying the
short strap, buckliDg it around the pastern
joint and forearm; next put on the surcin.
Gle and fasten the long strap around the
right fore foot, and pass the end through the
loop attached to the surcingle; after which
fasten on couple Of thick leather knee
pads-those can he put on in the first place
if convenient The pads are necessary, as
some horses in their struggles come violent.
ly on their knees, abrading them badly
Now take short hold Of the strap with your
right hand stand on the left side Of the
horse, grasp the bit in your left hand; while
10 this position back him gently about the
stable until he becomes so exhausted as to
exhibit desire to lie down, which desire
should be grati6ed with as little violence as
possible; bear your weight firmly against
the shoulder of the horse, and pull steadily
on the strap with your right hand: this will
force him to raise his foot. which should be
Immediately pulled from under him. This
is the critical moment; cling to the horse,
and after few struggles he will lie down
In bearing against the animal do not de-
sist from pulling and pushing until you have
him on his side. Prevent him from attempt
ing to rise by pulling bis head towards his
shoulder. As soon as he is done struggling
caress his face and neck also, handle every
part of his body, and render yourself as fa-
miliar as possible. After he has lain quietly
for twenty minutes, let him rise, and imme-
diately repeat the operation, removing the
straps as soon as he il down; and if his
head is pulled towards his shoulder it is i'm
possible for him to get up. After throwing
him from two to FIVE times the animal will
become as submissive and abject as we'll
trained dog, and you need not be afraid to
indulge in any liberties with him. Ayoung
horse is subdued much quicker than an old
one, as his habits are not confirmed. An in
corrigible horse should have two lessons
day; about the. fourth lesson he will be per.
manently conquered. If the operation is
repeated several times, he can be made to lie
down by simply lifting up his fore leg and
repeating the words, "Lie Down, sir" which
he must previously be made familiar with
The following rules will serve as guide
to the amateur operator, and should he strict
" observed: First. The horse must not
be forced down by violence, but must be
tired ont till he has a strong desire to lie
down. Secondly. He must be kept quiet
on the ground until the expression Of his
eye shows that hs is tranquilized, which in.
variably takes place by patiently waiting and
gently patting the horse. Thirdly. Care
must be taken not to throw the horse upon
his neck when bent, as it may easily be
broken. Fourthly. In backing him no vic.
lence should be used, Or be may be forced
on his launches, and his back broken
Fifthly. The haulter and off rein are held
in the left hand, so as to keep the head a.
way from the latter; drawn tight when, the
off:leg being raised, the animal is brought
on his knees and rendered powerleas for Of.
fensive purposes.
The operation of teaching horse to fol.
low man and also to cure him of kicking
and baking, should be proceeded by the
throwing down process, and in bad cases by
tho choking operation, as the animal is thus
rendered gentle, tractable, and oficiously
obedient to whatever he can be taught to
comprehend. This subsequent educational
course is necessary in order to render the
reformation permanent.