Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-08-13
From the New York Tribune.
RA REY'S
SYSTEM OF HORSE TANNING.

Pohphicb, utbCIlDblNb VI certain cuuCaulO0dl
features peculiar to his.system, but only OF
supplementary utility to the real operation
by which the horse is subjugated and derriv-
ed of his fcrocious properties This pamph-
let has since been reprinted in England, ow-
ing to the absence of an international copy
right, and has been generally disseminated as
his true and complete system of horse tanning.
lie has stated the truth of the matter in the
London journals but yet enough OF his
secret was disclosed in this pirated pamphlet t
to render it advisable for him to release his
pupils there from the pledge Of secrecy, and
to continue his lessons without exacting any
such pledge in the future.
All obligation of secrecy having thus been
removed, we now proceed to lay before the
readers of the Tribune complete account of
the system, its principles and it's methods,
THE PRACTICE or HORSE TANNING.
The one principle which yJu must establish
firmly in your mind, and which is SO essen
tial in horse tanning that it is almost the cor
ner-stone OF the theory, is the law of kindness
Next to kindness you must have patience, and
next to patience indomitable perseverance.
with these qualities in us, and not possessing
fear or anger, we undertake to tame horses
with perfect assurance of success, if we use
the proper means. The horse receives instruc-
tion in, and by the use Of four of his senses,
namely: seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling.
You must remember the horse is dumb
brute, and has not the faculty of reasoning
on experiments that you make on him, but is
governed by instinct. In natural state he
Is afraid OF man, and never, until you teach
| him that you do not intend to hurt him, will
that fear cease-wo mean that wild natural
fear-for you must have him fear you us well
| Inyp InTg,,
as much as is necessary to break him to your
liking. 1t is a principle in the nature Of
horse not to offer resistance to our wishes, if
made known in way that he understands,
and in accordance with the laws of his nature.
In subugating the horse, we must make a
powerful appeal to his intelligence this can
only be done by physical operation. 1t is
an undisputed fact that the battles of all
animals Except such as are garnished with
horns) are fought by scizing each other by
the throat. 4 dog that has been thus held
by his antagonist for few minutes, on being
released, is often so thoroughly cowed that
no human artifce can induce him to again
resume the unequal contest. This is the
principle upon which horse-taming is found
| ed
Choking horse is the first process in
tanning, and is but the beginning Of his edu-
cation. By its operation q horse becomes
docile, and will thereafter receive any instruc-
tion which he can be made to understand.
Teaching the animal to lie down at our bid
ding, tends to keep him permanently cured,
as it is perpetual reminder of his subdued
condition.
Some of the processes by which this is done
are as follows -
upon into close stable %ih Fl eny hG Gaefatsa q tss4
upon the floor (tan-bark or saw-dust is pre-
ferablc.) In the first place fasten up the
left fore-leg with the arm strap, in such a
manner that it will be permanently secured
Then take IA broad strap and buckle and pass
it around the neck just back of the jaw bone
Draw the strap as tight as possible, so tight
as to almost arrest the horse's breathing
The strap must not be buckled, but held IN
this position to prevent slipping back The
animal will strug ggle for few minutes, when
he will become perfectly quiet, overpowered
by a sense of suffocation the veins in his
head will swell ; his eyes lose their fire his
knees totter and become weak slight
vertigo will ensue, and growing gradually
exhausted, by backing him around the stable,
he will come down on his knees, in which
position it is an easy matter to push him on
his side, when his throat should be released
Now pat and rub him gently for about
twenty minutes, when, in most instances, he
will be subdued. 1t is only in extreme cases
necessary to repeat the operation of choking.
No horse can effectually resist the terrible
effects of being choked 1t must be con-
stantly borne in mind that the operation
must not be boisterous or violent, and that
the greatest possible degree of kindness is ab-
solutely essential. When the horse is pros
trate he should be soothed until his eyes
show that he has become perfectly tranquil.
2. Buckle or draw q strap tight around
the opposite end of the strap, the shorter the
better 1t will be seen that in this plan the
horse is made the instrument by which the
punishment is inflicted. When he attempts
to put his foot down his head goes with it,
and he thus chokes himself; care should be
taken chat he does not pitch on his head, and
thus endanger his neck.
3. Secure the horse with stout halter to
the manger. If extremely unruly muzzle
him. Soothe him with the hand for few
minutes until he becomes somewhat pacified
Then seize him by the throat, close to the
jaw-bone, with the right hama, and by the
name with the left. Now forcibly compress
his windpipe until he becomes so exhausted
that, by lightly kicking him on the fore-legs,
he will lie down, after which he should be
treated as previously described. This pro-
cess requires courage in the operator, and
also great muscular strength.
4. In the first place, if the horse be bitter,
muzzle him then lift and bend his left fore
leg, and slip a loop over it.. The leg which
is looped up must be secured by applying the
short strap, buckling it around the pastern
joint and forearm next put on the surcin-
gle, and fasten the long strap round the
right fore foot, and pass the end through
loop attached to a surcingle; after which
fasten on couple of thick leather knee pads
these can be put on in the first place if
convenient. The pads are necessary, as some
horses in their struggles come violently on
their knees, abrading them badly. Now
take II short hold of the long strap with your
right hand stand on the left side of the
horse, grasp the bit in your left hand while
in this position back him gently about the
stable until he becomes so exhausted as to
exhibit a desire to lie down, which desire
should be gratifed with as little violence as
possible; bear your weight firmly against
the shoulder of the horse, and steadily on the
strap with your right hand this will force
him to raise his foot, which should be imme-
diately 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 desist from
pulling and pushing until you have him on his
side. Prevent him from attempting to rise,by
pulling his head towards his shoulder As soon
as he has done struggling caress his face
and neck also, handle every part of his
body, and render yourself as familiar as pos
sible. After he has lain quietly for twenty
minutes let him rise, and Immediately re-
peat the operation, removing the straps as
L =. 4 4 L = III
towards his shoulder it is impossible for him
To Oat m fter throwino him from txyo IN