The Oxford intelligencer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1860-18??, 1861-01-23
Prom the n 7. Spirit Of the Times.
Facts About Horse Taming-J. B.
fss -r1 2 Rarey. graE -

3
worid--certainly from the date when the first
horse was used as servant Of man-the
human race has been experimenting on the
art of horse breeding or tanning. Until
within fifty years most cruel and barbarous
means we're employed to obtain the desired
end in all countries except among the Arabs,
and even they were not entirely exempt from
the charge, for when the usual routine Of
gentle means failed, they were unmcrcifu IN
their punishment, and taxed the energies of
the poor animal until he became exhausted,
and submitted to the discipline of his rider.
More than one thousand years ago, the Greek
horseman, Xenophan, inscribed the golden
rule, Horses are taught by gentleness, not
by harshness," but his opinion was very little
respected BY Europeans until within few
wears. If we except Dan Sullivan, who
fourished in Ireland about fifty years ago,
and who was the greatest horse-breakcr of
modern times, anything like system Of tam
ing vicious horses seems to have been COM
paratively unknown in Europe until MIR.
Rarcy gave illustrations Of bis skill Dan
Sullivan was the most extraordinary man of
his day, in bis way, and made considerable
money by his secret; but he never disclosed
his method to any save his son it is. pre-
sumcd, however, that he adopted similar
method to Mr.. Rarey. f1
Some fifteen or twenty years ago we wit
messed "horse tanning" performance among
the Usage Indians. The occasion in question
was one of the annual festivals common with
our aborigines, and most of the amusements
partook of equestrian performances. After
the affair was nearly ended, and the'warriors
had sufficiently displayed their feats Of horse
manship, common in peace and war, strong,
muscular Usage, carse into camp, leading by
halter one of the largest black stations
ever caught on the prairies He was power
fully built, and in his wild growth his name
had descended to his knees, aud his tail
swept the ground; his nostrls were dstend-
ed, while his eyes literally flashed fire of re-
sentiment and anger. ,r-
Among the "outsiders" associated with the
Osagcs was a white hunter, who, from his
proves, had gained the name cf the "horse-
tanner" The Indians had often spoken to us
about him, and as he presented himself be-
fore the camp at this particular time his
welcome was boistercus. The unsuccessful
efforts to ride the horse before him were
soon detailed, and he was challenged to make
trial himself
The hunter on this occasion was evidently
fatigucd-thc pack Of fresh skins he brought
into the camp on his shoulders was mules
burthen, the torn mocassins and leggings, as
we'll as the slow walk, all denoted long and
laborious chase. Still .he tanner did not re-
fuse the task; he bantered awhile with words,
to sec how much honor there would be in
riding the horse, and when he once dis
covered that there was so much to be gained,
his pride prompted him to attempt the feat.
1t was with no common interest we
watched the proceedings ofthe "horse tanner. y
The Indians, who had given up in despair
the trial which the jadcd hunter before us so
confidently accepted, were men of powerful
strength, of the most astonishing activity,
and the best equestrians we ever saw or i'm
agined; and that they could be beaten
seemed no less than a miracle. ,-
The horse tanner" approached the stallion
and examined the girth Of plated hair that
held the rude trapping attached to it in its
place. He took hold Of the pommel, which
rose like a goose-neck from the saddle, tC
see il it was firm then, with cautious ant
critical care, he drew gently upon the bride
reins to see If the slip nooses at the end.
which encircled the horses snout woulC
readily tighten, for the Usage bride has nC
bit. All these things being to his sstisfac
ton, he next proceeded to roll up an Indian
blanket into hard body, which he fastenet
to the long POmmel Of the saddle in such
way that the ends Of it would firmly bin,
upon his thighs il once mounted. Then
with a small deer-skin thong, he tied tn,
stirrups underneath the horse, SO that the,
could not fly above the level of the ANIMAL
belly. All preparation being ended, tn
tanner proceeded 10 mount -Four of the mos
powerful Indians seized hold Of the bride
and, PulIing his head down, held the poo
stallion so firmly that he could only use bi
heels; but in spite Of their flying about, tb
horsetAlner gained his seat, and sang Oui
" Let him gor ss
The order was accompanied BY shou
that made the wclkin ring. The stallion
more than ever alarmed. gaveRs Of his mos
furious efforts 10 throw Of his barthen; bu
this had bcsp anticipated, for a. he thre,
himself into the air. the blanket bound th
rider to his seat The second effOrt, that {
rolling on the ground. also failed; fOr rs th
horse threw himself on his side, the tame
landed gracefully on HE feet; the deer ski
thong kept the stirrups In their nlaces. and ,