J.S. Rarey “Art of Taming Horses” A New Illustrated Edition of J. S. RAREY’S ART OF TAMING HORSES WITH THE SUBSTANCE OF THE LECTURES AT THE ROUND HOUSE, AND ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS ON HORSEMANSHIPRAREY, THE HORSE'S MASTER AND FRIEND 1859 With a special introduction by Charlie Hicks Edited and published by Charlie Hicks HSA Marketing www.HorseTrainingResources.com Copyright © 2009 and beyond All rights reserved. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright © 2009 and beyond – Charlie Hicks – HSA Marketing www.HorseTrainingResources.com - 1 - J.S. Rarey “Art of Taming Horses” Introduction This book is a classic of one of the most influential horse trainers of the 19th Century. J.S. Rarey was one of the most respected trainers in his time and did some amazing groundwork in describing how to train and control horses. Truth be known, Prof. Jesse Beery was a student of J.S. Rarey and much of Beery’s success in his early work could be attributed to the works of Rarey. What is included here is a discussion about Rarey and a little history about him and how he got started in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 is the actual start of Rarey’s works. It’s interesting to note that Rarey from Ohio as was Jesse Beery. You can learn a lot from these old horse trainers and handlers. While some of their methods may seem harsh now, their understanding and knowledge of how horses think and learn is invaluable. Among the many horse trainers mentioned below, one that Rarey refers to a lot is Powell. I have the works of Powell in my library and hope to bring it to you in the future. I would urge you to read the following with an open mind and pick up on the many gems about the nature of horses and how they learn. Rarey was one of the first to dispute the harsh tactics of previous “horse breakers” that would handle horses extremely rough and attempt to wear them out. Such tactics were used by many folks in different parts of the world. But, thanks to a more widespread dissemination of information and the work of trainers like Rarey, most of these harsh tactics are not use now. One comment – the concept of “laying a horse down” has been proven over and over and is not harmful to the horse. Whether you agree or not, many successful horse trainers still use this technique and believe strongly in it. There are some horses that simply will not be compelled to learn until the come under subjection, as Beery discusses. Please do not “throw the baby out with the bathwater” and dismiss all the valuable training concepts you can learn by studying the works of J.S. Rarey and his predecessors. Finally, the last couple chapters discusses various things like riding sidesaddle, various old methods of dress, etc. Obviously, we’ve progressed beyond much of these customs – but it’s sure fun reading about theses practices of the past! Charlie Hicks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright © 2009 and beyond – Charlie Hicks – HSA Marketing www.HorseTrainingResources.com - 2 - J.S. Rarey “Art of Taming Horses” CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Mr. Rarey’s pamphlet first published in Ohio.—Experience of old system.—Compiled and invented new.—Tying up the fore-leg known many years ago, see Stamford Almanack.—Forgotten and not valued.—Reference to Captain Nolan’s and Colonel Greenwood’s works on horsemanship.—Dick Christian missed the discovery.— Baucher’s plan of laying down a horse explained.—Mademoiselle Isabel’s whip-and-spur plan.—Account of the Irish whisperer Dan Sullivan.—Usual modes of taming vicious horses.—Starving.—Physic.—Sleepless nights.—Bleeding.—Biting the ear.—Story of Kentish coachman.—The Ellis system.—Value of the Rarey system as compared with that of ordinary horse-tamers.—Systems of Australia and Arabia compared.—The South American plan explained.—A French plan.—Grisoné the Neapolitan’s advice.—The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.—Visit to Canada.—To England.—Lord Alfred Paget.—Sir Richard Airey.—System made known to them.—To Mr. Jos. Anderson.—Messrs. Tattersall.—Sir Matthew Ridley’s black horse tamed.—Subscription list of 500 opened.—Stafford tamed.—Description of.—Teaching commenced with Lords Palmerston, Granville, &c.—Cruiser tamed.—History of.—Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser exhibition.—System approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton Sykes.— Close of first subscription list.—Anecdote of Mr. Gurney’s colt—Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey CHAPTER II. Mr. Rarey’s Introduction CHAPTER III. The three fundamental principles of the Rarey Theory.—Heads of the Rarey Lectures.— Editor’s paraphrase.—That any horse may be taught docility.—That a horse should be so handled and tied as to feel inferior to man.—That a horse should be allowed to see, smell, and feel all fearful objects.—Key note of the Rarey system CHAPTER IV. How to drive a colt from pasture.—How to drive into a stable.—The kind of halter.— Experiment with a robe or cloak.—Horse-taming drugs.—The Editor’s remarks.— Importance of patience.—Best kind of head-stall.—Danger of approaching some colts.— Hints from a Colonel of the Life Guards ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright © 2009 and beyond – Charlie Hicks – HSA Marketing www.HorseTrainingResources.com - 3 - J.S. Rarey “Art of Taming Horses” CHAPTER V. Powell’s system of approaching a colt.—Rarey’s remarks on.—Lively high-spirited horses tamed easily.—Stubborn sulky ones more difficult.—Motto, “Fear, love and obey.”—Use of a whalebone gig-whip.—How to frighten and then approach.—Use kind words.—How to halter and lead a colt.—By the side of a horse.—To lead into a stable.— To tie up to a manger.—Editor’s remarks.—Longeing.—Use and abuse of.—On bitting.—Sort of bit for a colt.—Dick Christian’s bit.—The wooden gag bit CHAPTER VI. Taming a colt or horse.—Rarey’s directions for strapping up and laying down detailed.— Explanations by Editor.—To approach a vicious horse with half door.—Cartwheel.—No. 1 strap applied.—No. 2 strap applied.—Woodcuts of.—How to hop about.—Knot up bridle.—Struggle described.—Lord B.’s improved No. 2 strap.—Not much danger.— How to steer a horse.—Laid down, how to gentle.—To mount, tied up.—Place and preparations for training described CHAPTER VII. The Drum.—The Umbrella.—Riding-habit.—How to bit a colt.—How to saddle.—To mount.—To ride.—To break.—To harness.—To make a horse follow and stand without holding.—Baucher’s plan.—Nolan’s plan CHAPTER VIII. Value of good horsemanship to both sexes.—On teaching children.—Anecdote.— Havelock’s opinion.—Rarey’s plan to train ponies.—The use of books.—Necessity of regular teaching for girls; boys can be self-taught.—Commence without a bridle.—Ride with one pair of reins and two hands.—Advantage of hunting-horn on side-saddle.—On the best plan for mounting.—Rarey’s plan.—On a man’s seat.—Nolan’s opinion.— Military style.—Hunting style.—Two examples in Lord Cardigan.—The Prussian style.—Anecdote by Mr. Gould, Blucher, and the Prince Regent.—Hints for men learning to ride.—How to use the reins.—Pull right for right, and left for left.—How to collect your horse CHAPTER IX. On bits.—The snaffle.—The use of the curb.—The Pelham.—The Hanoverian bit described.—Martingales.—The gentleman’s saddle to be large enough.—Spurs.—Not to be too sharp.—The Somerset saddle for the timid and aged.—The Nolan saddle without flaps.—Ladies’ saddle described.—Advantages of the hunting-horn crutch.—Ladies’ stirrup.—Ladies’ dress.—Hints on.—Habit.—Boots.—Whips.—Hunting-whips.—Use of the lash.—Gentleman’s riding costume.—Hunting dress.—Poole, the great authority.— Advantage of cap over hat in hunting.—Boot-tops and Napoleons.—Quotation from Warburton’s ballads ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright © 2009 and beyond – Charlie Hicks – HSA Marketing www.HorseTrainingResources.com - 4 - J.S. Rarey “Art of Taming Horses” THE ART OF TAMING HORSES CHAPTER I. Mr. Rarey’s pamphlet first published in Ohio.—Experience of old system.—Compiled and invented new.—Tying up the fore-leg known many years ago, see Stamford Almanack.—Forgotten and not valued.—Reference to Captain Nolan’s and Colonel Greenwood’s works on horsemanship.—Dick Christian missed the discovery.— Baucher’s plan of laying down a horse explained.—Mademoiselle Isabel’s whip-and-spur plan.—Account of the Irish whisperer Dan Sullivan.—Usual modes of taming vicious horses.—Starving.—Physic.—Sleepless nights.—Bleeding.—Biting the ear.—Story of Kentish coachman.—The Ellis system.—Value of the Rarey system as compared with that of ordinary horse-tamers.—Systems of Australia and Arabia compared.—The South American plan explained.—A French plan.—Grisoné the Neapolitan’s advice.—The discovery of Mr. Rarey by Mr. Goodenough.—Visit to Canada.—To England.—Lord Alfred Paget.—Sir Richard Airey.—System made known to them.—To Mr. Jos. Anderson.—Messrs. Tattersall.—Sir Matthew Ridley’s black horse tamed.—Subscription list of 500 opened.—Stafford tamed.—Description of.—Teaching commenced with Lords Palmerston, Granville, &c.—Cruiser tamed.—History of.—Enthusiastic crowd at Cruiser exhibition.—System approved by the Earl of Jersey and Sir Tatton Sykes.— Close of first subscription list.—Anecdote of Mr. Gurney’s colt.—Personal sketch of Mr. Rarey. Mr. Rarey is a farmer from Ohio, in the United States. Five years ago he wrote the little book which forms the text of the following complete account of his system, with pictorial illustrations, which are essential for explaining the means he now employs for subduing the most refractory animals. Without these explanations, it would be extremely difficult for any one who had not enjoyed the advantage of hearing Mr.