Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-09-21
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Prominent among the attractions OF the gaia
week, Just passed at Springfield, to all true low
ers of the equine race. the exhibitions OF
Mr. VIM. H. Rarey Of Groveport, Ohio, "a broth
er of the Mr.. Rarey who has won such disiin-
guisbed and well deserved hcnors abroad,) Of
the application of the Rarey system of tanning
and breaking horses, to some of the refractory
animals that were present at the exhibition, OF
brought there for that purpose. The Rarey sys-
TEN Of horse tanning, as explained and illustra
ted by these gentlemen, Appeals TO have been
founded upon a close and careful study of the ma
ture and characteristics of the horse, not SO
mach with reference to his capacities as work
ing animal, as to the degree of mentality with
which he is endowed, by the proper direction or
education OF which, all his actions can be regu-
lated and controlled under all circumstances that
may arise
For instance, Mr.. Rsrey, in his lecture to a
class in Springfield, the other day, lays it down
as an established fact, that no horse is by nature
vicious, that all the manifestations ofbad temper,
in kicking, biting, running away, &c, which are
SO often observed, are the inevitable results eth
err OF bad teaching or of bad management in some
respect that the animal never will do wrong If
he has been educated in the outset to do right
that he will never attempt to injure man, except
in self defence. or under influence othe fear that
injury is intended TO himself; and that all those
faults of disposition which detract from the value
of some Of the most beautiful and otherwise ex.
cellent specimens of the race, may be overcome
by pursuing rigid but kind and conciliatory
course of treatment in Short that any i'll dis
pletely broken of all the bad faults, which ap-
pear to be the result of an unkind temper or a
perverse will, and may be changed, in very brief
space of time, into the kindest, gentlest, and
most reliable Of animals Mr.. Rarey is so conf
dent of the soundness and entire correctness Of
his theory, that he makes no exceptions in the
application of it, contending that all horses come
from the hand Of the Creator, alike susceptible
of those good influences which their heaven
dained master, man. is capable of exerting, and
that years of experience in tanning the most wild
and refractory animals have never brought to
their observation a single subject, which pa
tient and perseveriug application of the few sim
pie rules, which embody the whole system of the
art as taught by them, cannot completely and
permanently cure.
In response to an advertisement in the news
papers for the widest and most refractory ami
mails upon which to test the correctness of his
system, several high spirited animals were
brought to Mr.. Rsrey, in the course of the week.
that he might lay hands upon them and cast out
the devil of unkindness that seemed to possess
their natures. Among these was large and
powerful bay horse, the property of Gen. F. R.
Pratt of Jefferson county, New York, one of a
span which he purchased at high cost, and
which, though we'll broke and kind enough in
harness alongside of his mate, was utterly IN
comfortable under the saddle, much that
the bodest and most experienced riders dare not
mount him, he instantly threw, with great vi
olence, every person making the attempt. Mr.
Pratt's groom had tried the experiment, and mar
rowly escaped with his life. Others, who had
made similar attempts had always failed in their
efforts to remain on his back for one minute, and
the horses previous history seemed TO indicate
that he had formed deliberate purpose. never to
submit his back to the saddle his will to the
control of any rider.
The first rule in good behavior administer
ed TO this horse, by Mr.. Rareyn presence of quite
a number Of spectators, on Thursday. The ex-
ercses we're continued for little more than an
hour, and, at the expiration OF that time, it was
perfectly plain to see that the work of CONVEX
sion hsd begun. that the horse was coming rapid
ly to realizing sense that his trainer was an
omnipotent being, and that the results of full
conviction that it was in vain to resist his mas
ter's wishes would presently appear.
We we're not present at the first lesson, but all
accounts agree that without the use of drugs, or
violence Of any kind, The horse was brought into
complete subsection to Mr.. Rarey's will, as far
as he chose to exercise it at that time SO much
so to submit himself 10 be led by a straw. and
handled in any manner, without the exhibition of
any Of the usual equine manifestations of fear or
anger.
At the second lesson, given on the following
day, we were so fortunate as to be present, with
other gentlemen, some Of whom had been specta.
tors at the first lesson, and enjoyed the high
qualification Of witnessing the triumphant sue
cess Of Mr.. Rarey's system, in its application to
the animal in question. We are not at liberty
TO make public the details of the treatment to
which the horse was subjected, any fuI ther than
to say, that without blow from the lash, a harsh
word, or angry look, from his master, the
horse was brought into the most perfect subjec.
ton. As he lay PROSTATE upon the floor of the
shed, Mr.. Rarey was permitted to stand upon
every part Of his body to strike his feet together
with his hands, and to lie down by his side, with
his head resting at one time upon the horse
neck, and at another between his heels, during
all Of which experiments upon his docility, the
horse never manifested any more concern than il
he had suddenly been bereft Of life. Finally
having tested the absolute subsection Of the
beast, in every conceivable way, Mr.. Rarey placed
himself astride Of the animal, and called upor
him to get up. AS the roof Of the shed wal
hardly high enough to permit man to sit cree
upon horse, without bringing his head in con
tact with the ruiters above, the spectators ex
pressed their concern to Mr.. r., and begged hin
TO desist lest the animal might rear, and 50 en-
danger his life by striking his head upon tn
woodwork above; but he calmly assured then
that there was no daDger-that the horse woul
rise at his bidding, and would make no effort &
throw him off. And. sure enough, the horse di
rise, as easily and gracefully as il his back Dor
no unusual burden, and stood with the meekDes
and gentleness Of lamb, beautiful and wonder
ful illustration Of the greatness and completeness
Of that dominion, which God gave to man in th
beginning, over all the beasts Of the field whiel
He had made for bis comfort convenience, an,
use.
Subsequently, the horse was saddled an,