The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-04-14
CONVERSION OF "CRUIsER. "
How an American Horse Tanner Mas
tered the Most Vicious Horse
in England.

Under the title, "An Invincible Horse
Tamer," Ida Rose McCabe rehearses
the story of John S. Rarey's career in
America and England as breaker of
colts and tanner of vicious horses. His
most conspicuous triumph was the tam
ing of Lord Dorchester's Cruiser" 40
years ago. The horses temper had de-
preciated his value $1,000. For three
years he had been abandoned to him
self. Tormented by huge bits loaded
with chains, his head was incased in
complication of iron ribs and plates,
SO that he had to procure his food by
licking it up with his tongue. Oppres-
sion and cruelty had made him demon.
He resented the approach of anyone by
fearful screams and yells of hate and
fury. He snapped an iron bar, an inch
teeth. The heavy planks that formed
his prison he frequently kicked into
splinters.
Cruiser, I think" said Lord Dor
chester, in his challenge, "would be
the right horse in the right place to
try Mr.. Rarey's skill; and the sooner
the experiment is made, the better. If
he can ride Cruiser as hack guar
antee him immortality and enough
ready money to make British bank d.
rector's mouth water"
81 will tell you," said Mr.. Rarey, in
recounting this browning incident of
his career, what happened at my first
interview with Cruiser. l believe there
| is some cause for everything horse
does. He acts according to the impress
sions on his mind. Instead of throwing
out stick to fight him, when l first APP
preached Cruiser, l threw open the
door and walked in. He was astonished
at seeing this, and more so at my eX-
hibitihg no fear. He had on his head
large muzzle, linked inside and out
with iron. He had worn it three years,
until it bored hole in his head. took
it off, and he never wore it again."
| In three hours Lord Dorchester was
able to mount Cruiser, and Rarey rode
the horse as hack to London. Cruiser
| became the property of his tanner. The
fortune of Mr.. Rarey was made. All
classes, headed by the nobility, flocked
to his lectures and exhibitions. Lord
Palmerston opened the subscription
| list to Mr.. Rarey's private instructions,
given in the riding academy of the
Duke of Wellington. Queen Victoria
was among the first to express Joy at
the regeneration of Cruiser, and to re-
greet the hard usage to which the horse
had been subjected. Frequently, she
caressed the beautiful creature with her
own hand. On the eve of the marriage
of the princess royal, MIR. l.arey was
invited by the queen to give in the rid
ing school at Buckingham palace an en-
hibition before the royal guests sum-
moned to the wedding. The next day he
was honored with an invitation to the
wedding at ST. James palace.
| Under the favorable influence of kind
treatment, Cruiser rapidly improved in
appearance. His rough, shaggy coat
was shed for one of the luster of satin.
Festive in royal-purple silk bride,
with rosettes of gold filigree, and the
look of war horse in his high bred nos
trils, he followed his master through
the capitals of Europe. Everywhere
throughout his travels in the old world,
Mr.. Rarey gave free lectures and exhibit
lions to cab and truck drivers. In his
remarkable collection of souvenirs is
gold medal of wonderfully fine work
manship, presented Mr.. Rarey by the
Royal Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.-St. Nicholas.