The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-06
Secret Of Horse Tanning.

The Tribune publishes an elaborate and
reliable account of Mr.. Rarey's mode of
Treating and Curing Vicious Horses. After
stating that the law of kindness is the con-
trolling principle and the horse is governed
by instinct which admits of a successful
appeal to his intelligence, it is said:
PRACTICE OF THE HoRsR rAMER
In subjugating the horse, we must make
powerful appeal to his intelligence; this
can only be done by physical operation.
1t is an undisputed fact that the battle Of a.,
animals Except such as are garnished with
horns) are fought by seizing each other by
the throat. a dog that has been thus held
by bis antagonist for few minutes, on be-
ing released,.is often SO thoroughly cowed
that no human artificc can induce him to
again resume the unequal contest. This is
the principle upon which tanning is
founded.
Choking a horse is the first process in
tanning, and is but the beginning of his
education. BY its operation the horse be-
comes docile, and will thereafter receive any
instruction which he can be made to under
stand. Teaching the animal to lie down at
your..bidding tends to keep him permanent
ly cured, as it is a perpetual reminder of his
subdued condition.
1t requires a good deal of practice to
tame horse successfully; also nice iudg-
ment to know when he is choked sufficient
ly, as there is bare possibility that he
might get more than would be good for him.
We advise persons to- resort rather to the
strapping and throwing down process (un-
less he is very 'igorousl described below
this, in ordinary cases, will prove successful.
1t is the fault of most people who have own
ed horse to imagine that they are experts
in his management while, on the contrary,
many professional horSemen are the very
worst parties TO attempt his subjugation.
Unless man have a good disposition he
need not attempt horse-tamng.
Retire with the animal to be operated
upon into a close stable, with plenty of lit
ter upon the floor (tanbark or sawdust is
preferable.) In the firstplace fasten up the left
fore leg with the arm strap, in such a manner
that 1T will be permanently secured. Then
take broad strap and buckle and pass around
the neck just back of the jaw bone Draw
the strap as tight as possible, SO tight as to
almost arrest the horses breathing. The strap
must not be buckled, but held i'm this posi-
l
will struggle for few minutes, when he
will become perfectly quiet, overpowered by
u sense of sutfocation; the veins i'm his head
will swell his eyes lose their fire; his
knees totter and become weak slight YER
tigo will ensue, and growing gradually ex-
haustcd, by backing him around the stable
he will come down Oh his knees, in which DO
sitien it is an easy matter to push him on his
/ side, when his throat should be released
Now pat and rub him for about twenty min
utes, when, in most instances he will be
/ Subdued. Ii is only in extreme cases neces-
Tffe Iiext iessoohi i Is to teach nm to he down.
which is described below in the account of
/ the second method of tanning. No horse
can etfectually resist the terrible etlectof be-
/ ing choked.
/ 1t must he constantly borne in mind that
the operator must not be boisterous or vio-
lent, and that the greatest possible degree OF
kindness is absolutely essential. When the
horse is PROSTATE he should be soothed until
his eyes show that he has become perfectly
tranquil.
ANOTHER METHOD.
Buckle or draw a strap tight around the
neck, Lift fore leg and fasten around it the
opposite end of the strap, the shorter the
better. In this plan the horse is made the
instrument by which the punishment is in.
fiicted. When he attempts to put his foot
down his head goes with it, and he thu
chokes HIMSELF care should be taken thai
he does not pitch on his head, and thus en-
danger his neck.
TANNING HORSE WITHOUT RESORT TO STRAPS
I 81,
the manger. If extremely unruly, muzzl
him. Soothe him with the hands for few
minutes until he becomes somewhat paci
; fed. Then seize him by the throat, close t,
the jaw-bone, with the right hand, and b,
the name with the left. Now forcibly com
press his windpipe until he becomes so ex
hausted that, by lightly kicking him on tn
fore legs, he will lie down, after which h
should be treated as previously described
The process requires courage in the opera
. tor, and also great muscular strength.
TEACHING HIM TO LIE DOWN.
a The horse to be operated upon should b
: led into close stable. The operator shoul
) be previously provided with a stout leathe
, halter; a looped strap to slip over the an
Q malls knee; strong surcingle, and Il Ion
/, and short strap-the first to fasten roun
5, the fore-foot which is at liberty, and the sec
+ ond to permanently secure the leg which
y" looped up.
p IN the first place, if the horse be a bite
muZZle him; then lift and bend his left fol
r leg, and slip loop over it. The leg whic
'e is looped up ..aust ba secured by applyir
y the short strap, buckling it around the pa
A. tern joint and forearm next put on Il
surcingle, and fasten the long strap aroui
the right fore-foot, and pass the end throug
o loop attached to the surcingle; aft
which fasten on a couple of thick ledth
knee-pads-these can be put OF in the fir
place if convenient The pads arr necess
ry, as some horses in their struggles con
- violently on their knees, abrading them ba
r; ly. Now take short hold of the long str;
o. with your right hand; stand on the left 81
sh of the horse, grasp the bit in your left han'
- while in this position back him gently abo
= the stable until he becomes SO exhausted
. to exhibit a desire to lie down, which desi
=. should be gratificd with as little violence
,r- possible; bear your weight firmly agair
of the shoulder of the horse, and pull steadi
.Tn Ur on the strap with your right hand; this W
- force him to raise his foot, which should
Immediately pulled from under him. III
- Is the critical moment; cling to the hor
- and after few struggles he will lie dowr