RAREYJHE HORSE'S MASTER AND FRIEND — ^^Mi^ii^ SARA LOWE BROWN 1 # ^\i^^ -4 S 'I ^ N ^ S^ V i.'i^'w^v -^.^ Class _-ti-XV 9/' 'T'...^, ^?..: /.vrf Z;^.: /., /^r'/r . . .-/^^ V// ^i /(' V// t'V <- // !< it ;/ / // / i^,)- yct/l /. ■ c /i '■^ r 26 Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend. In his earlier study of the nature of the horse, Mr. Rarey observed that the animal acts upon knowledge received through his senses, seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling ; that he uses the nose as human beings do the hand to touch and feel every object that is new to him and determine whether or not it is something to be feared. In his boyhood, Mr. Rarey once turned a team of driving horses into a lot, in which there were two or three stumps, on one of which he had thrown a buffalo robe. The first horse, seeing the robe, was frightened. He ran to a point as far away from the robe as he could get and, with head extended, walked around and around the stump, each time getting a little nearer, until he could touch the robe with his nose. On the first contact, he jumped back but, seeing that it did not move, he touched it again, finally seizing it with his teeth and tossing it up and then jumping back again. After learning that the robe could not harm him, the horse seized the robe and dragged it about the lot. That was the boy's first lesson in the nature of the horse, but it was most valuable. It was the foundation stone of his whole theory. So, in his lectures he declared that the only way to tame or to train a horse is to work with, and not against, his intelli- gence, "for the horse has intelligence and every good trait of character which, if cultivated, will make him kind, docile and gentle." The horse must become acquainted with the person or object before he can have confidence, and his only means to acquaintanceship are the senses. So, in coming into the presence of a strange horse, Mr. Rarey approached slowly, spoke gently, and stroked him lightly and kindly. Having established friend- ship with the horse, he proceeded to prove to the animal that he was master. For this purpose he used two straps and a surcingle. One strap he buckled around the fetlock, raising one front foot; then he adjusted the surcingle around the horse's body, fastened the second strap, with a running loop, to the other foreleg, pass- ing the end through the surcingle and held it in his hand. Thus, at the desired moment, he brought the horse to his knees and then to a lying posture. There were times when this was done with great dif^culty, but firmness, courage and kindness always won sooner or later ; and when the horse recognized that his Rarcv. the Horse's Master and Friend. 27 friend was also his master, there was no further trouble. The muscles of the animal's legs relaxed, and the trainer's head was as safe at the horse's heels as it would have been on a downy pillow. Of course, there was nothing in the invention of the straps or in the recumbent posture, except that no other practical mode had been discovered, at once and lastingly to subdue the force and stubbornness of the animal, without a violent contest which must always irritate, frighten and perhaps ruin the most gentle subject. Replying to the charge that he used drugs, magic and witch- craft. ]\Ir. Rarey, in one of his lectures, said: "The absurdity of this notion is apparent when we consider that, if the horse could be tamed by any of these methods, we could apply them with the same efficacy upon children — upon the human family. If any man tells you that he has a recipe for taming horses, try it upon yourself and judge of its effect upon the horse. If you are not knocked to the ground by the potency of the drug, then believe me it will have no more effect upon the horse." Mr. Rarey did not claim to be able, in a single lesson, to redeem a horse forever from vicious ways. What he did do was to indicate beyond all possibility of doubt the true mode of treatment. He had to leave to others, by constant and patient repetition, to lead the once unruly and evil-minded horse to that constant and kindly service of which, as he believed, every animal is cajiable. OTHKR ENGLISH EXPERIENCES. It was in 1858 that an American circus visited London and, with a view to drawing patronage, hired Cruiser of Mr. Rarey for exhibition in the ring. The horse was to be managed by Mr. Cook, the ringmaster. In due course, the latter came forward and briefly recounted the wonderful history of the ani- mal, exhibiting to the audience the heavy muzzle and chain halter with which he had been confined. Then he gave a signal for the entrance of Cruiser. There was a suppressed murmur of voices for a moment, the doors were swung back and Cruiser, with every eye fixed on him, walked quietly into the ring, led by the groom. Mr. Cook attempted to show the several details 28 Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend. of the Rarey process, but did his work at arm's length and mani- fested such bunghng and trepidation that there was trouble. Mr. Cook made three ineffectual attempts to strap up the nigh fore leg and then, to make Cruiser more obedient, gave him a gentle cut with his whip. That was enough to arouse the horse's anger, irritated and nervous as he was in the glare of the gas lights, the rustling crowd and the music of the band. His eyes flashed fire in an instant and, with one desperate plunge, he freed his leg from the strap. His white teeth were uncovered and, with a cry of rage, he rushed upon the terrified ringmaster who turned Gold-backed Portfolio and Gold Inkwell Presented to Mr. Rarey by the Duchess of Sutherland. and fled from the ring, with his assistant. Cruiser then had the freedom of the premises and leaped from one side of the ring to the other in a high state of excitement. A panic seized the audience, for there was only a low barrier for their protection. They rushed over the backs of the seats toward the exits ; two or three mothers threw their children over into the boxes to save their lives, and not a few shrieks were uttered by the affrighted women. Up to this time, Mr. Rarey, who had gone to the circus to see how Cruiser would behave himself in public, had sat calmly looking on ; but when matters got to their worst, he left his seat Karcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. 29 and went clown into the ring. The crowd paused to see the result. Mr. Rarey stood as still as a statue, holding up his hand and calling, "Cruiser ! Cruiser !" The horse looked uneasily at the motionless figure but, soon recognizing the voice, approached slowly, extending his nose. Mr. Rarey let him approach and, when he was ([uite near, went to him. stroking him softly on the SitttUtt l$t«st. /^^ '. ^.. X<-^v 2:/. ^."ryi Duchess of Sutherland's Note Transmitting Her Gifts. face. The maddened horse was again an affectionate slave and in three minutes was lying prostrate with IVIr. Rarey cracking the whip about his ears with perfect impunity. The result of the evening's adventure was the conviction that the most perfect system of horse-taming, or of doing anything else, is absolutely valueless, if put into the hands of persons who lack the courage, patience and judgment which are indispensable in reducing it to 30 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. practice. It is needless to add that Cruiser was not again per- mitted to appear in that circus. One of the most thrilHng of the exhibitions that Mr. Rarey gave in England was given November 9, 1859, when he tamed a powerful and beautiful thoroughbred stallion. It was, said a chronicler of the event, a mortal combat between man and beast. The moment the animal appeared, it was evident that the tamer's powers would be tested to the utmost. The horse looked at the audience, stood on his hind feet and ploughed up the ground ; he roared in fury and kicked; he snapped at the groom and at Mr. Rarey and bit his own flesh severely in his passion. He tore to pieces every strap put upon him, hurling to the ground the groom who had come to Mr. Rarey 's assistance. At one time the horse broke completely away and stood for a moment a victor in the midst of the excited audience. Two men came to Mr. Rarey's aid, but they were unable to hold the animal which scattered men and everything else around him like chaff. He was bathed in white foam and clouds of vapor arose from his body. At one moment he tossed up the straw, at another he sent the strong barriers flying; for a time he stood alone in the arena, roaring furiously and tearing with his teeth at everything within reach. Mr. Rarey, having rested from the first encounter, approached the horse, and then began a contest which no one who witnessed it can ever forget. It was a struggle of art and tact against overwhelming strength. For an hour the battle continued ; now the man had gained the mastery, now the horse ; the animal, touching the earth, seemed to derive fresh strength. At last, Mr. Rarey extemporized a strap from the fragments of the broken bridle and gained his first step to conquest. Still the horse fought fiercely, rising and plunging in all directions, en- deavoring to bite his tamer or trample him down. A long strug- gle ensued. The contest had lasted an hour and a half, when at length the horse stood quiet, thoroughly subdued, allowing Mr. Rarey to strike his front and hind hoofs together, to jump over him and pull him abovit at will. After mounting the horse and concluding his lecture from that position, Mr. Rarey led him around the arena with a straw. The exhibition proved that, whatever tact and science he possessed, he also had most extraor- Rarcy, the Horse's Master and friend. 31 dinar}' muscular power, coolness and courage. No ordinary man would have ventured to contend to the last with so formidable and dangerous an antagonist. On this occasion, as on all when Mr. Rarey appeared, there was in a measure a reproduction of the exciting scenes of the Roman amphitheater, with none of the cruelty. There w^ere the beautiful horses entering the arena, with flying mane and dilated nostrils — wild, vicious, neighing, snorting, pawnng the earth and placing themselves in a succession of fine attitudes, rushing sometimes at, and sometimes aw-ay from the man who was to show that he was their master. For the most part, the horses were brought before the audience without any ])reparation, not even the trainer knowing beforehand the character of the animal. This plan gave to each performance the interest of originality and put to the greatest test the judgment and skill of the tamer. There were those who thought Mr. Rarey took risks too great, i)articularly when, in demonstrating his complete mastery of the horse, he was accustomed to ])ut his head between the horse's hoofs. This latter brought to I\Ir. Rarey an anonymous protest which is marked by such admiration and good will that it is worth reproducing. It read : "Sir: The interest and admiration with which I witnessed your exhibition on Saturday last induce me to take the liberty of animadvert- ing on one part of it. No doubt, your great experience enables you to judge with a certain approximation to accuracy of the degree of sub- mission to which you have brought a horse. But still, as no rule is without an exception, I was sorry to see you run an apparent risk that was quite unnecessary, when you lay down with your head between the animal's hind hoofs. The act was striking — and why ? Because every one felt he was assisting at a wager, in which you staked your life on your knowledge of a horse's temper. Now, one of two things : Either this implied wager is a real one, in which case all people of reflection would think the chances were too unequal to make it justifiable, no man having a right to risk his life without an adequate motive ; or it is a certainty and, in point of fact, without any risk at all. And in this latter case I cannot but feel that an action which seems an appeal to the vulgar feeling which takes delight in seeing others in positions of danger that the onlookers would themselves shrink from, is unworthy of the reality, the absence of sham and humbug that characterize the rest of your proceedings. As a further excuse for the liberty I im taking, allow 32 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. me to mention that, having just now described your victory over the King of Oude and also expressed the feeling that I have above stated to two ladies (one of whom was a pupil of yours last year), it is in obedi- ence to their commands that I thus write. It is useless to sign my name, but permit me to subscribe myself an admirer of pluck, daring and in- telligence." TRIUMPHS ON THE CONTINENT. In the fall of 1858, Air. Rarey went to Paris where his fame had preceded him. The Emperor appointed a commission to witness and report on the American's performances, and speedily was assured that the method was rational and successful. Mr. Rarey's most notable single achievement there was the taming of Stafford, a fiery and utterly intractable half-blood, about six years old. His great strength and ferocity made it dangerous even to approach him and for a year he had been kept closely confined. A numerous assembly, comprising nearly all the mem- bers of the Jockey Club, and many noble and distinguished per- sonages, was present when Stafford, rearing and plunging in such a manner as to tax the strength of two grooms, was brought in. As a further precaution the animal had been carefully blind- folded, and he was in an utterly vicious mood when turned over to the trainer. An hour and a half later, Mr. Rarey rode the horse guided by a simple bridle. He then dismounted, unbridled the horse and led him around the arena as if he had been the most docile omnibus horse. "His submission," said a writer of the time, "was the effect neither of fear nor constraint, but simply of confidence and affection." This performance won for Mr. Rarey the applause of Paris ; the Emperor caused his name to be inscribed for 2000 francs on the subscription list, and in two days a class of more than five thousand was organized. Theophile Gautier, the distinguished novelist, was one of Mr. Rarey's admirers and in Le Moniteur Universel, January 21, i860, paid him a tribute from which this is quoted : "Assurance, thorough knowledge of the horse, the art of statics and, let me repeat, a personal influence, magnetic and fascinating, seem to me the means employed by Rarey. He astonishes, paralyzes, tires and charms the horse, he convinces him logically of his inability to defend himself. However, are the animals subdued for long or permanently? The lesson forgotten, will thev return to their former character? Will anoth2r Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. 33 than Rarey be able effectively to apply the system? 1 am unable to say, and experience only can answer the questions. What pleases me in the method of this American subduer is that it is humane — no nose torture, no bridling, no whip with cutting thongs, no spurs with sharp points, no post of suffering, nothing but kindness, the moral victory, the throwing and the idea of inferiority, suggested to the animal in the succession of his futile efforts." Mr. Rarey'.s visit to Stockholm was characterized by an unusually warm reception by the Prince Regent, afterwards King, who took occasion to say, on Mr. Rarey's presentation, that he had been attentively reading the different accounts of his performances and that he had already selected a subject for re- formation — a remarkably spirited animal of Arabian and English thoroughbred stock, which though four years old, had never been Ijroken, except to be led. if gently treated, Ijv the halter. The time was set for the test, and the royal riding school was especially ])re])ared by the addition of s])len(lid carpets and sofas to the already magnificent furniture. The issue was the same as it had been so often before. The animal was subdued, and the Prince Regent and his guests had an exciting experience that l)rought ihem to their feet in a])i)roval. When it was all over, the Prince Regent summoned Mr. Rarey, ]nit many ques- tions regarding the treatment of horses and finally presented to him a medal as a token of special regard. It was a medal bearing the motto, "Illis (|uorum mertiere lal)ores" — a social distinction, conferring u])on the wearer s])ecial privileges in visiting the royal palaces and arsenals, commanding everywhere regard from the servants of the King. In Berlin, Mr. Rarey had a similarly cordial reception by the Prince Regent, later King of Prussia, who alluded to the exhibition he had witnessed in London on the evening before the marriage of the Princess Royal. He gave exhibitions in the royal riding school before members of the Court. In the au- dience was Baron Alexander von Humboldt, distinguished scientist, who later, on being invited by the American minister to dine with Mr. Rarey, expressed the hope that he would be "polite enough to live to be present." That desire was gratified and. in responding to a toast, the veneralile scholar declared with 34 Rarc\, the Horse's Master and Friend. much feeling his admiration for America, adding that he had always considered himself at least half American. A most pressing invitation to visit Russia came to Mr. Rarey Baron Alexander von Humboldt. Who signally honored Mr. Rarey when he visited Berlin. from Colonel Eiaron de Wercinski, who told of the vast number of the Czar's cavalry and the great difficulty of breaking the horses from the steppes as well as of many noblemen who, being Karey, the Horse's Master and Friend. 35 fond of horses, maintained stables, in recruiting for which both men and animals were killed. Mr. Rarey, he was sure, could be a great benefactor of the horse empire, if he would come and introduce his system. In response to this, Mr. Rarey went to St. Petersburg, bearing so many credentials that he was brought at once to the notice of men most likely to further his project. He went immediately to the residence of Baron Meyendorfif, equerry of the Czar, whom he found on the point of going to the Neva to witness some national sports. Without ceremony, JMr. Rarey was invited to take a seat in the sleigh which pro- ceeded to the river as fast as three spirited horses abreast could draw it. There he saw thousands of the nobility and common people at play. On the solid surface of the ice were erected large buildings which seemed intended to last for centuries rather than to serve the temporary purpose of a winter season. Thous- ands of gay turnouts, filled with ladies, half-buried in costly furs, showed the presence of the wealthy classes, while the prominent stands designated the nobility. The race-track was a circle marked on the ice by green boughs and around the entire ring congregated the peasantry on foot or in sleighs. Here Mr. Rarey observed that trotting w^as the national pastime and he saw many horses whose speed would have made them notable anywhere. The style was three abreast, the center horse ornamented with a towering yoke, decorated with gay streamers and a tinkling bell. After the more formal races had been run, there were scrub races wdiich ofifered some unexpected amusement, the hi- larity reaching a climax when three half-tamed horses from the steppes, entered by an obscure peasant, beat the record of the best horses of the Neva. The crowd went wnld over the achieve- ment, and the young sprigs of nobility, crowding around the owner of the winning horses, carried him about on their shoul- ders and at last took him ofif in triumph to the Czar. Then came the Laplanders, with reindeer drawing rude sleighs, who ofifered for a small sum to give anybody a turn around the circle. Many crowded in, and away the loaded sleighs went at high speed. The deer were perfectly trained and seemed to enter into the sport with all the spirit of the jolly throng and their happy masters. 36 Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend. A few days after this pleasant introduction to Russian life, Mr. Rarey received from the Czar an order to go to one of the imperial preserves and bring in a wild horse of the steppes that the Cossacks had designed for the imperial stables — an animal so wild that he had been left to roam in a deer park. Accom- panied by Colonel Lefler, the head of the horse department, and two other officers, Mr. Rarey proceeded to the park. Servants drove the horse into an enclosure that served as a shelter in in- clement weather, and Mr. Rarey entered alone and barricaded the door. The contest, marked by the usual screaming and biting, lasted for two hours, but the man was victor and rode the animal to St. Petersburg. The astonished Czar congratulated him and arranged for a private exhibition. At the appointed time and place, two peasants brought into the presence of the Czar and his court another animal, the wildest the steppes could produce. He came rearing, plunging, kicking and biting, and Mr. Rarey went quietly to meet him, laying his hand on the animal's neck, passing it gently over his ears and directly ordering the peasants to loose their hold on the ropes. As the horse lost his fierceness, the Czar looked on in amazement and asked the peasants, half sternly, half humorously, why they could not thus handle the horse. To this they could only reply that Mr. Rarey must be in league with the devil. IN ENGLAND AGAIN. Returning to England, Mr. Rarey gave a series of demon- strations at the Royal Alhambra Palace, London, attracting large audiences and subduing many vicious horses, including the King of Oude, whose owner, Mr. Parr, had decided to have him shot, after a vicious assault in which a groom and a pony had been nearly killed. As a last effort to save the horse, Mr. Parr took him to the American trainer. The horse was brought in by two grooms, each holding a leathern thong of considerable length attached to a cruel iron bit ; at the end of the struggle, he was meekly following wherever the trainer led and welcoming all sorts of liberties with his head and heels. The Suft'olk cart horse that had won several prizes at the Royal Agricultural So- ciety's meeting, but had killed one of his grooms and severely Rarcx, the Horse's Master and friend. 37 injured another, was in half an hour brought into complete sub- jection. Before taming a stylish coach horse of Sheffield. Mr. Rarey read to tiie audience a letter from the owner to the effect The Duke of Athole. that the horse objected to everything except an abundance of corn and an unlimited range of pasture ; that no one dared to groom him, to ride him was death and to approach him w^as to 38 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. be bitten. But after the usual contest, Mr. Rarey leaped on the horse's back and remained there, in spite of the animal's most violent efforts to dislodge him. When the horse reared, the trainer threw himself forward ; when he kicked, he was allowed free scope ; when he attempted to run away, he was turned round and round. Once the trainer let the horse go at full gallop down the course, to the evident consternation of the audience ; but just as the animal's nose touched the rope which marked rather than made the barrier, Mr. Rarey brought him back to his haunches, as if by a powerful brake, and then a similar charge was made in the opposite direction. The trainer's horsemanship was perfect. It delighted the audience, and it ultimately con- vinced the horse that his master was upon his back. At Manchester, three difficult subjects were ofifered to him in one day. One of them was a little cob sire that was never trusted without a muzzle ; and so confident was the owner of the animal's power to foil the American that he advertised the coming combat at his own expense that his friends might all be there to see the pony win. The latter was turned unmuzzled into the arena, and flew twice at the trainer with all the fury of a mastifif. Mr. Rarey eluded the animal the first time and caught it as it rose on its legs for the second spring. Then followed the usual proceedings of getting acquainted, winning the pony's friendship and finally gaining the mastery. It was all so easily and quickly done that the great crowd that had gathered, most of them to scoff, went away wondering and admiring. Mr. Rarey toured England, Ireland and Scotland, visiting the Duke and Duchess of Athole, at their beautiful estate, Dunkeld, on the river Tay. That estate was one of the most showy places in the world, containing many thousand acres of pleasure ground, with a hundred miles of walks and drives — a place where the nobility delighted to gather and where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had visited for weeks at a time. Game was abundant and in his park the duke had twenty thousand deer. Hunting and deer-stalking, in company with the duke and his royal guests, were among the pleasures enjoyed by Mr. Rarey there. Thence he went to the Shetland Islands, where he bought five of the smallest ponies to be found, one of which he subsequently gave Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. 39 to an Englishman famed for his undeviating kindness and cour- tesy to travelers from America. The Glasgow Citizen, October 22, 1859, ]mid him this triljute : "In appearance Mr. Rarey is decidedly prepossessing, being about five feet, nine inches in height, light-haired, light-complexioned, with in- telligent eyes, an open countenance and a manner that won the audience from the moment that he raised his hat and unaffectedly acknowledged their plaudits. He is singularly young for the noise he has made in the world, his age being only thirt3-one. He did more to put down the harsh and improper treatment of the horse than all the societies formed for this purpose and all the sermons preached against cruelty to animals. As for Cruiser, he is a fine thoroughbred animal, conscious of blood, conscious also, evidently, of the admiration he is accustomed to excite, but without any indication of vice about him." In Glasgow, ]\Ir. Rarey gave a free lecture to the cabmen and carters, for which he was presented with a handsome testi- monial by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The clergymen of Edinburgh attended his lecture, and so strong an impression did his method make that they preached sermons in which they alluded to his success as exemplifying the power of love and kindness. IX AKAHIA AXn THE EAST. Leaving Great Britain, Air. Karey went again to Paris, gave four exhibitions, declined si)lendid offers to lecture in the French provinces, pushed on to Rome and Naples and, by way of Sicily and Malta, to Alexandria. In the second week in February, i860, he was sailing up the Nile toward Cairo. It was just the season for turning the Arab horses out to grass, and there they stood up to their knees in it (with an ever-shifting background of camels, donkeys and buffaloes, on whose back three or four dusky urchins might be seen riding home at nightfall), mile after mile in bay, chestnut and flea-bitten gray platoons, about five yards apart, and tethered to stakes by one fore and both hind legs, so as just to command their allotted range of herbage. At Cairo his stay was very limited, although he received a pressing invitation from the Viceroy of Egypt to visit him at his country seat higher up the river ; but to gaze on the high-caste "children 40 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. of the star" was his sole mission, and he had no time to hnger. He accordingly went at once with his party across the Great Desert to the shores of the Red sea and, taking leave of them there, merely stepped aside to see the pyramids, as he retraced his steps to Alexandria. Thence he sailed to a port near Jaffa, and proceeded to Jerusalem. It was on a picturesque grassy knoll, hard by a grove of olives, that he gave the Pacha a specimen of his art. The latter had ordered out for his inspection four of his best mares of the purest Nedgedee caste and, after Mr. Rarey had ridden one, a spirited gray, he took a brown horse from the hands of the attendant eunuch and, with the aid of the two little straps, made the animal follow him all about the pasture. The gray, whose ragged hips and long neck did not improve her, was a little over fifteen hands high and so highly valued that her master had refused a thousand pounds for her. Then followed an excursion to the Dead sea, which was somewhat spoiled by a party of Bedouins, who descended on the tent and cooking utensils, made the cook stand and deliver his watch and maltreated the solitary soldier for saucily re- monstrating. Mr. Rarey and his party were some miles ahead at the time ; but the former learned from the incident the lesson of caution and left all of his possessions in Damascus when later, accompanied only by Major Frazer, of lion-hunting fame, and an interpreter, he spent several days in the desert in search of horse lore, riding up to every encampment he could descry and trusting for food and a night's lodging to the sheiks of the vil- lages. At Beyrout, on his return, he found the best Arab he had seen on his travels, among a lot of twenty which some Sardinian officers had got together for their king. Rhodes and Smyrna had little to show in this way ; but at Constantinople, he found several studs, principally saddle-horses, where the animals were thoroughly understood and scientifically handled. The Arabs had disappointed him. Their intimate life with the horse from the animal's birth had given them complete mastery, but he doubted if they had thought out any system or discovered any principle by which they could handle a horse entirely new to Rarcy. the Horse's Master and Friend. 41 them. He was conlirnied in this hehef by the helplessness and fright they showed when the stallion he was riding on the tour refused, one morning, to let one of them bridle him. The Prophet was invoked in vain, and hnally Mr. Rarey had to be summoned from the tent of the sheik where he was eating brown bread and wild honey, to ])ut matters to right — a matter of no great difficulty when the crowd of agitated turbans had been thrust back a si)ace. I5ut Mr. Rarey found beauty in other things as well as in the horse. 1 le tells in his diary of camping one night close to the foot of Mount Hermon at the ui)per fountain of the Jordan. Proceeding thence at daybreak on the road to Damascus, they saw .\rab villages built like swallows' nests on the edge of the mountain cliff. He met tall, dark-skiiuied, white-I)ear(le(l fath- ers, bearing themselves like princes and driving their flocks of goats, sheej) and cattle down the winding mountain paths to graze in the meadows below. With one of these patriarchs was a beautiful Arab girl sitting astride a proud, prancing steed and affectionately looking to the care of the kids, whose heads came to the top of the pockets on either side of the saddle on which she sat. Her picturesque attire — handsome red jacket, full blue trousers and thin veil head covering, which she drew closely about her face, almost hiding her regular features — completed the splendid picture this child of nature made. The men he found to be intelligent and manly specimens of their kind. During his stay in Constantinojile, Mr. Rarey was a guest at the Sultan's palace, where he drank coffee with his hosts and smoked a pi])e whose amber mouthpiece was set with diamonds. FAREWELL TO ENGLAND. Returning to England in the spring of i860, Mr. Rarey found himself even more famous than when he left. The news of his tri]) had preceded him. Colonel Thomas Seymour wrote : "Since his return, men and not horses have gone wild. If he could find a way of training the Cruisers of mankind, Christian- ity would assign him a place among the Apostles." Mark Lemon, editor of Punch, wrote: 'T feel proud of knowing you and still I)rouder that I can call you my friend." Both in text and picture. 42 Rarey, tJie Horse's Master and Friend. Punch paid tribute to the young American and reflected the general applause. J. M. Browker, of Calcutta, editor of the Indian Field, offered his services in arranging a class, if Mr. Rarey would visit India and give a course of lessons in horse- training. The invitation was declined, but Mr. Rarey was glad to give lessons to Captain Beresford who was later employed to carry the art to India. P. C. French, of Southampton wrote : "It is to be hoped that the horse will be henceforth better under- THB ENOHSII jrePAL. THE bWXblBil MEDAi. Two Aledals Presented to Mr. Rarey. stood and better treated. The subject is now constantly dis- cussed, and a dinner seldom passes without your name being mentioned in connection with this wonderful power you possess." C. Goodchild, of Enfield, wrote, asking for an interview, and saying that he could not otherwise tell of the good he had re- ceived from the lectures; he had successfully employed the method in the training of two ponies and a horse. For a free lecture to the cabmen and omnibus drivers of London, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Rarcy, the Horse's Master and 1-riend. 43 Animals presented to Mr. Rarey a splendid gold medal. The government employed him to teach his method to two classes of cavalry, and so the method was communicated to the entire army. Resisting many invitations to make I^ngland his home, he decided to return to his native land and. on October 27, i860, gave a farewell lecture to an audience of 8.000 in Crystal Palace. In the course of his remarks, lie thanked luigland for the great kindness he had experienced and hoped that the introduction of his method had been of advantage to the cause of humanity. He had always sympathized with the noble horse and he was de- lighted that he had been able to prove that so much might be done by kindness. Returning to America, he would bear the most grateful feelings toward the English people. With the esteem of all he had met and unsjjoiled by then- praise. Mr. Rarey took passage for New York. The Herald of November 11. i860, hailed him as "the subjugator of vicious steeds, the recipient of honors and decorations from royal and imperial hands, the tutor of chevaliers and dames with equestrian tastes, the wearer of medals awarded by several humane societies of England and Scotland, the modern Centaur." "He is return- ing." continued the Herald, "after a three years' absence, during which he astonished high and low with proofs of his wondrous skill in taming refractory brutes. A cavalcade of our best horse- men and Amazons can be formed to escort this American prince of horse-tamers from the P.attery to the Fifth Avenue Hotel. And why should we not honor Mr. Rarey with a grand reception. He is one of those men whose talents have helped to make our country famous in other lands. In fact, in all departments of art and science, Americans have shown themselves first among the foremost. In his own useful way. Mr. Rarey has outstripped all the world. The very Arab marvels at his influence over the horse, and calls upon Allah to attest his w^onderful power. Is it not then highly proper that we should extend a fitting reception to the great hors^-^amer? We feel assured that our suggestion will be acted on and that Mr. Rarey will meet a welcome worthy of him." 44 Rare\, the Horse's Master and Friend. • - V - '■ I M<^, tl Q ,4 M ^ i M Rarey, the Horse's Master cnid Friend. 45 THE AMERICAN TOUR. The return of Mr. Rarey, accompanied by Cruiser, now his constant companion, was an event in New York. In his head there may have been running the hues of a song some generous Britisher had written and set to the tune of "Yankee Doodle." Two of the stanzas were : "The daily news that we receive Has set some people frantic, Tho' all we hear we don't believe That crosses the Atlantic; But facts are stubborn things, I guess, And tho' opinions vary. Each correspondent of the press Speaks well of Mr. Rarey. Mr. Rarey comes to town To tame both horse and pony — He'll play the drum and make them dance Like Madame Taglione. "No doubt there will be many go To witness Rarey's system Of taming brutes by kindness, and With no one to assist him ; I hope he'll have a bumper, which We safely may declare he Deserves for his humanity — Success to Mr. Rarey !" At any rate, having pt-ei)ared for a continuance of his good work in "Yankee Doodle" land by offering a reward of $ioo for the most vicious horse brought to him, he hurried ofif to Groveport to spend the Christmas vacation at home. In January he returned to New York and at Niblo's Garden gave a series of exhibitions with Cruiser, his Shetland ponies and such vicious horses as were brought to him. Here, as elsewhere in his talks, Mr. Rarey declared, as the reporter for Frank LesHe's Illustrated Newspaper put it, that "the horse is a creature of impressions ; if he fears you, he will run away, if he is angry with you, he will attack you — he is a child in intellect and must be treated like one. Brute force can never tame a horse completely — there 46 Rarc\, the Horse's Master and Friend. ^ r^ \:x:> itl J 1-1 9. Rarcx, the Horse's Master and friend. 47 is always a sore si)ot left which will Ijreak out at the hrst oppor- tunity. The horse must be convinced by humane treatment and undeviating firmness that man is his natural master." A wild South American pony, a vicious stallion believed by his owner, E. Luff, of Harlem Lane, to be "the worst animal in the world," unbroken colts and an iron gray, "as big as the Great Eastern" were all successfully treated with varying degrees of ease. PRAISED BY INTELLECTUALS. Having instructed, entertained and convinced New York, Mr. Rarey moved on to Boston, where he gave similar lectures and demonstrations. Like the horses, the intellectuals of that citv were soon at his feet. Said the Courier of that city: "Whatever credit may be clue — and doubtless much credit is due to others for their contributions in the way of observation and experi- ment to the new method of horse-taming — it is Mr. R.-irey alone who can justly claim the admiration and gratitude of the wr.rld for having sifted, analyzed, harmonized and co-ordinated all the isolated facts into a complete and rational method. These facts lay scattered in the brains of horse-breakers throughout the world, but they were used empirically, applied in ignorance of their true value and in con j unction with cruel, barbarous and absurd practices, which went far to neutralize their effect and obscure their true relation and value. * * * The Rarey rules are not abstruse or difficult of apprehension. They are capable of being simply stated and easily learned, but they are far from being so easily applied. The difficulty, however, lies not in the rules themselves, but in the nature of man. The first and great one, without compliance with whicli all the others avail but little, is complete self-control on the part of him who would succeed as a trainer of horses. The Bible tells us that he who ruleth himself is greater than he who taketh a city, and the fame of the conquerors of Monterey and Mexico show how great by the popular voice are the city takers. Now, greater t'nan these, if we accept the dictum of Holy Writ, is Rarey, the horse-tamer, and so great must every man be who would rival him. If an am])ition to rank among the subduers of horses shall cause an augmentation of those who can keep their temper, this will not be one of the least of the benefits for which the world will have to thank Mr. Rarey." From William Lloyd Garrison, the distinguished publicist, who spent many of the best years of his life in the abolition cause, came the following letter, under date of April 5, 1861 : 48 Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend. "I was much gratified at the brief interview had with you this fore- noon, as it deepened my conviction of your fitness to teach the world a great and everywhere needed lesson of humanity, whereby in teaching them how to subdue the most refractory animals, men might learn to govern their own passions, and thus substitute the law of love for the spirit of brutality. The modesty of your deportment also evinced the possession of self-respect and self-reliance, which are the antagonism of self-seeking and self-glorification, and quite essential to the character of a true philanthropist and reformer. "I can only renew the expression of my deep interest in your hu- mane mission, hoping that your labors will be extended to every part of Christendom and that your life, as benefactor and redeemer, may be long spared. For all that you are doing for the relief and true govern- ment of the noblest and at the same time the most abused and over- tasked of the animal race, allow me, in parting, pleasantly to invoke for you (if you will excuse the pun) the horsepitality of ihe world — by which I mean, may you meet with a kind and hearty reception wherever you travel. "Yours, to augment human happiness and lessen ajiimal suffering, "William Lloyd Garrison." Another interesting Boston letter was from E. H. Hepworth, who wrote : "I want to express my gratitude for the exhibition of last week. I feel that you are accomplishing a great good. I have always loved the horse and have suffered great pain in seeing him frequently abused. I cannot help feeling that he is a noble animal and that his reasoning power is far beyond what is commonly acknowledged. The Arab gets more out of his horse than the American can, and the Arabian horse is said to know more than any other animal. But I have for a time thought that the difference is one, or rather mostly one, of education. We do not yet know what our horses are capable of doing and being, because we mostly spoil them in 'bringing up.' I have to express the hope that all who have to do with horses will hear and heed you, and remain your obedient servant, ..g. H. Hepworth." IN CHICAGO AND PHILADELPHIA. The throng- that gathered in Bryan Hall, Chicago, December 21, 1861. went with the same incredulity that marked the mental attitude of audiences elsewhere. Many went, as they confessed, to see Mr. Rarey fail. After the trainer had explained his method of handling Cruiser, a narrative which was listened to Rarey, the Horse's Master and Friend. 49 with rapt attention by the immense audience, a large, wicked- looking black horse was brought onto the platform, which had been covered with boards topped with sawdust and protected by a barricade and hempen cable. The animal was addicted to biting and kicking and not drawing quietly in harness. Only a day or two before, while working beside another animal, this horse had kicked himself free of harness and wagon and attacked his mate with his teeth, and had been beaten away with clubs. When brought out by the assistants, he paused, gazed at the thousands of human faces before him. and gave a frantic leap and a series of evolutions. After dragging the trainer several times about the stage, his hind heels more than half of the time in the air, the strap was buckled on, the assistant retired and Mr. Rarey was left alone with tlic vicious animal. Twenty minutes later, to the wonder and astonishment of the spectators, the horse was being led around the enclosure by a single straw, as docile and submissive as a pet fawn. Mr. Rarey mounted him, got beneath him, put his head between the dangerous hoofs and thrust his bare hand into the animal's mouth. The wild spirit of the horse had api)arently been turned to affection. On January jf), 1862. Mr. Rarey gave a matinee ])erform- ance to the usual crowded house at Niblo's Garden. New York, taming three vicious horses to the complete satisfaction of the most incredulous. He gave a second demonstration there, do- nating half the proceeds to the Widows' and Orphans' fund. His first appearance in Philadelphia was in the .Academy of Music, and marked a decided innovation in the history of that institution, the entire equipment of which was turned over to him for three exhibitions. The courts and green rooms, sacred to prima donnas and dashing baritones, were relinquished to intractable stallions, unamiable colts, Shetland ponies and Mile- sian hostlers. When ]\Ir. Rarey appeared upon the stage, the house was filled to its last seat and all the standing room was occupied. "His voice." wrote a reporter, "was quick and full and could be heard with distinctness almost all over the house. He has a fund of dry humor in his composition that makes his lectures extremely interesting. Cruiser was brought before the audience, led by a single groom, and pranced about with eager- 50 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. ness and apparent pride. He is a splendid specimen of horse- flesh, of a beautiful dark bay color, of glossy skin black in the limbs and very straight, an action as fvdl of ease as it is of animation, and with the mild eye that is characteristic of thoroughbred racers. Most of Mr. Rarey's method was illus- trated by Cruiser. He was completely successful in his efforts, which were applauded by the spectators." The second exhibition was attended by even greater delight and enthusiasm, on the part of the audience, than was the first. "Mr. Rarey," said one of the papers of the time, "is rapidly be- coming a lion. He is talked of in every circle; even the ladies converse freely of him and horses generally. Music Hall is no longer remembered as a concert, lecture, fair or preaching temple, but as an arena in which equine miracles are performed, as a theatre in which all manner of ugly and vicious horses are sub- dued and made gentle and plastic. Inasmuch as it teaches the great principle that kindness is greater than force, gentleness than brutality — that a little common sense is better than a great deal of whip — we regard the purpose to which the hall has been put as most excellent. It is as good as so many sermons to teach men to become humane and sensible." When Mr. Rarey had explained that he had come, not as a gladiator, but as an educator to teach that a horse is bad only as he is badly treated, Cruiser was brought in and made his obeisance to the assembly by gracefully turning his neck, putting forward his right foot and moving his ears back and forth. The next horse afforded a good subject for Mr. Rarey's art. He leaped, kicked, reared and performed other antics showing his intractability, but, as usual, he was soon under control, proving again the virtue of the method of the trainer. The third exihibition, for which, in spite of the intensely cold weather, the house was again packed, marked the climax in interest ; and so insistent were the demands for more that Mr. Rarey consented to remain for two more exhibitions, which were given on the following Thursday and Saturday. On his second visit to Boston, Mr. Rarey appeared in Music Hall and for five nights the statue of Beethoven looked down upon an unwonted spectacle. "Such things were never dreamed Rarcy, the Horse's Master and l-'rieiid. 51 of," said one writer, "when this magniJicent temple was dedi- cated to Apollo ; but, when we remember that, without the horse, the violin and violoncello would be mute, we must concede the noblest of domestic animals the right of entrance upon a stage where horse hair is so potent." In the audiences were repre- sentatives of all classes of society. There were, as somebody said, "clergymen, lawyers, merchants, scholars, poets, literary hacks and illiterate hackmen." — ex-President Franklin Pierce, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Wendell Phillips and others less dis- tinguished and sooner forgotten. One-half of the proceeds of his final exhibition was given to the charities of the city, and the verdict of the press, when he left was that he had made an in- delible impression on the lioston public by the wonderful success of his method, which proved but an illustration of the law of kindness. "1 have not seen," said Ralph Waldo Emerson, "that any of our colleges have bestowed on Mr. Rarey the diploma of Doctor of Laws. Yet what excuse have we, after the exhibition of Mr. Rarey 's treatment of the horse, for the use of lirute force? He has turned a new leaf in civilization, and I think the Board of Education of Massachusetts would not take an unwise step, if they should engage the master to go to each col- lege and teachers' convention in the state and explain his treat- ment. What extension, what novelty in his fundamental maxim that he who would deal with a horse must know neither fear nor anger! When I saw his ])erformance. I could not help thinking it was a sort of Aesop's fable and suspecting that he was a very sly satirist and that he must know and feel what sarcastic lessons he was reading schools and universities." GIVES HIS METHOD TO THE ARMY. Early in December, 1862, I\Ir. Rarey received the following letter : "Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, "Mr. John S. Rarey: December 6, 1862. "Sir : You are hereby authorized to visit the Army of the Potomac for the purpose of inspecting the horses and mules of the cavalry, artil- 52 Rarcy. the Horse's Master and Friend. lery and teams belonging to that army. All officers of t''e Army of the Potomac are directed to afiford every facility to Mr. Raiey to make this inspection. "By order of Major General Halleck, General-in-Chief. "Very respectfully, your obedient sej^vant. "J. C. Kelton, a. D. G." Mr. Rarey accepted the invitation, made the inspection and communicated to the army officers his method of training the horse. The method was adopted, and its principles are today to be found in the army regulations. Here is an excerpt from Mr. Rarey's diary, written while he was making the inspection : "On Saturday, December 14, 18(i2, the third day uf the battle. I stood on the bluff of the Rappahannock, this side of Fredericksburg, and witnessed the battle for some time. Two or three shells fell near me. In the afternoon of the same day, through the kindness of Professor Lowe, I went up alone in a balloon to watch the fight. A shot was fired directly at me, but passed under the balloon. Had to change my loca- tion." Retvu^ning from the inspection, in the course of which every courtesy had been accorded him, Mr. Rarey gave a lecture in Smith & Nixon's hall, Cincinnati, to one of the largest audiences ever within its walls. The lecture and his mastering of vicious horses were attended with the usual interest and success. In February, 1862, at the request of his nephew, C. W. Fairington, Mr. Rarey went to Havana, where he gave a successful demon- stration before a large audience in which were the Captain-Gen- eral of Cuba and other dignitaries. His talk was interpreted to the audience, but he writes in his diary that he was "convinced that they had no idea or appreciation of my art." At the second exhibition, he had no interpreter. He simply illustrated his method first by attempting to ride the horse before taming him and, second, by taming him and riding him afterward. This aroused their interest, but did not enlighten them as to the method ; they clung to the idea that they had witnessed a struggle like a bull-fight. "Probably," he says, "they would have been better pleased, had blood been spilled. I am glad there were present a number of Cubans who were anxious that some of my principles might be instilled into the dumb negroes and low ere- Karcy, the Horse's Master and 1-riend. 53 oles, whose only thought was to beat the poor creatures under them and over which they were permitted to exercise the author- ity of master." At Alatanzas, before an audience in which there were many appreciative Americans, he subdued a \ery vicious mule. A Spanish nobleman presented him with a Ijeautiful ring which he said was of great antiquity and was boitght from the collection of a French minister, and which showed a hne engraving of the head of Hercules. Returning to New York, Mr. Rarey gave a series of exhi- bitions at Xiblo's Garden, entertaining on alternate nights with Edwin Forrest, the great tragedian of the day. There offers were made to him for a series of lectures in the United States and Canada, but he declined them, preferring to direct his own activities, lecturing where and when he jileased. In Allyn Hall. Hartford, Conn., Mr. Rarey gave an exhi- bition which was notable for his illustration of the proper man- ner of moiuiting into the saddle, lie condemned the ordinary way of standing off from the horse. a])proaching him at a right angle and pulling and straining on the saddle to the great danger of turning it over in spite of the girth. The correct way, he said, was to stand close by the horse's shoulder, facing the same way as the horse and then, with left hand on the rein near the bit and right hand over the saddle, rise into the seat by a motion that seems literally as graduated and even as the ascent from one stair to another. Indeed, it seemed to be identical with that motion. There was no percej)tible springing or vaulting, but all was as quick and easy as the stepping from one stair up to another. And this he did, with no girth to hold the saddle on. In September, 1862. Mr. Rarey gave an exhibition in Co- lumbus. Ohio, at the old .\theneum. Of this the Ohio State Journal of the 2nd said : "We do not feel justified in leaving the exhibition of Mr. Rarey's horse-training powers to the brief notice of a local column. His exhibi- tions are not so much for the show as for the utility that may be de- rived from them. And no man who has sufficient native capacity to love a spirited and noble horse can witness Mr. Rarey's wonderful display of power over that finely organized animal, without learning much that 54 Rarcy, the Horse's Master and Friend. is both useful and humane. Mr. Rarey is not empiric in any sense. His method is as truly philosophical as any inductive science can be. As a gentleman, he is sincere, thoughtful and unpretending. He assigns, in clear and direct language, a just and indisputable reason for the proposi- tions he submits, in regard to the training of the noble animal whose whole nature, physiological and psychological, he has so thoroughly and successfully studied. The elaboration of the chemist for the demonstra- tion of the affinities of matter are not more purely scientific than are Mr. Rarey's demonstrations of the philosophical mode of training the powers of the horse to pleasant and profitable subjection to the human will. He is therefore always heard by the most intelligent people with the utmost interest and respect. "On the present occasion. Mr. Rarey, who is a sound patriot, at the suggestion of certain estimable ladies who are steadily toiling for the good of our soldiers, voluntarily tendered his services tor an evening's exhibition as a benefit for the funds of the Soldiers' Aid Society. His offer was gladly accepted ; and a splendid benefit it was. The Atheneum was literally packed with one of the most intelligent and genteel audi- ences that ever assembled in our city. And when it is considered that most of the tickets were at |1 each, the substantialness of the benefit may be inferred. "After taming one horse and exhibiting three Shetland ponies, one, a colt, twenty inches high and weighing twenty-one pounds, was brought forward in the arms of a boy ; it looked more like a shaggy dog than anything of the genus equinus, though it afterwards cantered about the stage with much activity and grace. Next came the spirited, but spoiled and vicious brute, with which Mr. Rarey was to try conclusions. It was a compact and powerfully built horse, in good condition, but dangerous and vicious beyond all control. His owner sent his character with him and expressed a very reasonable apprehension for Mr. Rarey's safety in handling him. This horse was a total stranger to Mr. Rarey, and the first demonstrations that attended their acquaintance entirely justified the amiability of character that his owner's letter had so honestly certified to. His hind feet were aimed at the reformer's personnel. These ex- hibitions of the brute's tender mercies towards Mr. Rarey were rapidly repeated, exciting the audience as with a touch of tragic. But the calm and steady manner of Mr. Rarey, as he watched the equine performance of the Highland fling, speedily dispelled all apprehensions for his safety. His complete success with this animal elicited great apphuse." PLANNED A BOOK ON THE HORSE. Mr. Rarey planned an illustrated book on the horse, in four parts and seventy-three chapters, and in 1862 entered into an agreement with Air. Pliny Miles to make the necessary research Rin-c\. the Horse's Master and Friend. 55 and prepare the copy. A complete outline of the book, with Mr. Miles' acknowledgment of receipt of the specifications, is among Mr. Rarey's papers; also several letters from ]\lr. Miles touching his progress in the work. Part I was to have been devoted to the natural history of the horse and other beasts of burden, together with mention of the horse in history, poetry, mythology and art; Part' II, to a history and description of the different races and l)reeds of horses in all countries; Part III. to horse taming, training, breed- ing and management, and Part 1\', to a history of horse exhibi- Thc Mansion Built liy John S. Rarey. tions, circuses and shows, ancient and modern, horse fairs and associations and a plan of an American Horse association. This last-named association was to be national in scope and was to hold meetings annually in different parts of the country, with j)remiimis and prizes for the best specimens of horses exhibited, and prizes for the best essays on designated topics relating to the breeding, training and management of horses. A "Rarey medal," provided each year by the interest on an investment by Mr. Rarey in government bonds, was to be one of the essay prizes. 56 Rarcv, the Horse's Master and Friend. Mr. Miles began his research in the Astor and other hbra- ries of New York, but soon went to London, where the facihties for his work were better. On December 20. 1862, he wrote that '• '"■v'ji'^mW Monument to John S. Rarey in Groveport Cemetery. the manuscript was nearly ready, but there is no further knowl- edge of it. Probably it was never sent ; certainly it was never published. The only jndjlished work by Mr. Rarey was his little Rarcy, the Horse's Master and l-riend. 57 book of instructions on horses which sold for $io. This book was pirated, so laden with trash as to be unrecognizable and sold to the great profit of the pirates, for $2.50. On the site of the house in which he was born, Mr. Rarey built a mansion where he entertained many a national celebrity, and made a home for his aged mother, to whom he showed the utmost devotion. l}y this time his health had begun to decline. His years abroad and at home had been strenuous. In the train- ing of horses his physical .strength had been continuously taxed and his great po])ularity had forced 'upon him extraordinary social duties. In consequence, he suffered, in December. 1865. a stroke of paralysis, from which he never recovered. He spent the subsequent summer at White Suljjhur Sjirings and returned to Groveport where he lived cjuietly. hoping to regain strength for another visit to Kuro])e. Accompanied by his niece, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, he went to Cleveland for a visit and, while there, died. October 4, 1866. The remains were brought to Groveport and at the Rarey mansion there, on the 7th, were held the funeral services which were attended by friends from all parts of the country. In accordance with his wish, the burial was made in the village cemetery beside the grave of his father. Cruiser survived his master and friend nine years, dying at the Rarey farm. July 6. 1875. in the twenty-third year of his age. Mr. Rarey. whose fame he had shared, amply jirovided in his will for the comfort and care of the noble animal that had shared his triumphs and hafl helped to impress upon the world the imi)ortant lesson that kindness is power.