The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-01-31

During DR.. Dio Lewis ~Gypsying in
the Sierras," he became much interest
ed in Prof. Tapp, of San Francisco,
who tanned wild and vicious horses,
without violence or drugs. Showing
the Doctor herd Of wild horses from
the mountains, the Professor said. "You
may pick out any horse from this herd,
and in two hours i will drive him be-
fore buggy, and when going down hill
will let the buggy loose on his heels,
without the least risk" The Doctor Sc
lected the largest horse, the leader of
the herd. 1t took an hour to separate
him from his fellows and drive him into
the Professors private corral, which
was about the size of q circus-ring,
with sand six inches deep, and sur
rounded 10y close plank fence, twelve
feet high. DIR. Lewis seated himself
in the circle above, where he saw what
he thus describes:
Prof. Tapp entered the corral, hold
ing in his hand whip with a short
stock and long, heavy lash.
In his left hand were q long halter,
minus the hitching-strap, two old potato
sacks, two straps, and strong rope
about thirty feet long.
Putting oil these but the whip into
the recess in the fence, the Professor
turned toward the horse.
The animal was making frantic eff
forts to get away. The Professor
watched his opportunity, and then the
whip-cracker hit one of the horses hind
fetlocks.
The horse scampered from side to
side, and the cracker again hit the fet-
lock. Within fifteen minutes this was
repeated twenty to thirty times.
The horse learned the lesson this was
intended to convey-that there was only
one safe place in the corral, and that
was close by Prof. Tapp. There, there
was no hurt, but gentle, soothing
voice. In half an hour, when the Pro-
lessor ran across the corral, the horse
would run after him. He had learned
that it was dangerous to be more than
ten feet away.
Prof. Tapp at length succeeded in
touching the horses head. He started
away, but before he had taken three
steps came back.
Within three-quarters of an hour the
|
frightened and used his feet to re-
move it.
1t was now easy to rub his head and
neck. The end of the whipstock then
tickled his side. The horse switched the
spot with his tail, and the Professor
caught the end of the long tail-hairs.
This frightened the animal; ne for
got, and the whip-cracker called him
back. The Professor then seized the
tail, drew it toward him, tied into the
end of the long hairs strong cord the
other end of which was fastened to the
iron ring of the headstall
This drew the head and tail toward
each other. The horse began to turn
in a circle, and soon was turning as fast
as he could. In minute he fell, drunk
with dizziness.
The Professor wound q potatoe-sack
around each hind leg close to the hoof
and fastened a short strap over it,
There was an iron ring in each strap,
and through both rings rope was
passed and tied upon itself, eighteen
inches from the hind feet.
The long, loose end of the rope was
passed between the horses fore legs,
through the ring of the headstall, and
then tied into u heavy ring in the wall
of tho corral.
The cord connecting the head and tail
was cut, and after q little time, the
horse, still dizzy, rose slowly. When he
found he was fastened he made o ire
mendous struggle. The Professor
stood by the ring where the horse was
tied.
The animal could not turn his head
from side to side because of the rope
which ran through the ring of the head
stall.
Pretty soon," said the Professor, che
will switch his tail from side to side /;
that means he gives up"
Within eight minutes, the horse
moved his tail from side TO side. Now
he's DONE" said the Professor.
He knelt down by tho horses hind
legs, united the rope, unbuckled the
straps, walked behind him, put his
hands upon the horses hind legs, stuck
his head between them, patted his head
and led him about the corral.
was obliged to leave, but / learned
that he harnessed the horse, and let the
buggy strike his heels while going down
hill.