The Horse Tamer by Walter Farley Read Free Book Online

exceedingly dangerous as well. The greatest care must be taken to guardagainst an accident resulting in serious harm to one or more of us.” He sat down abruptly.
    There was a smile on Bill Dailey’s thin lips as he said, “There is no need to be afraid. I shall lead Mr. Clayton’s horse before you without danger to yourselves. And I shall do it within twenty minutes. However, as I explained to Mr. Clayton a few minutes ago, there is much more to it. His horse Thunder will have to be treated at home according to my directions. I can do little more at this time than to make it possible for him to handle his horse and then prescribe further treatment. This applies to all of you whose horses I shall experiment upon. The after-treatment is most important in the management of every case, and I am at your call if you need help. Without the after-treatment your horses will not remain gentle. The methods I use may seem ludicrously simple to you. But they are in truth very beneficial and when properly applied will enable you, too, to continue effective control over your horses.”
    Turning away from the crowd, Bill Dailey went to the first stall where Mr. Clayton’s chestnut stallion, Thunder, awaited him.
    He was a large-boned horse, strong and compact. Bill estimated his age at about eight—an adult horse, strong-willed and capable of putting up the hardest kind of resistance. It had taken four men to bring him to the stables. Only a show of overpowering force would make any kind of an impression on Thunder.
    Carrying his rope throwing rig, Bill spoke to the horse and entered the stall. Thunder was tied but nevertheless he lashed out with a hind leg. Bill worked quickly, his rope pliable from years of use. One loopwith a large metal ring at the top went around the horse’s girth. Another loop extended from it to the dock of the tail, acting as a crupper. Bill adjusted both loops to size and then tightened them. Next he took a strong cord from his pocket and fastened one end to the top of the girth loop, just above the metal ring. He carried the cord to Thunder’s halter and then backthrough the metal ring, taking up slack. There was only one more thing left to do. He quickly picked up the horse’s rear forefoot and, using a short leather strap, buckled it to the girth loop. Now he had Thunder standing on only three legs.

    “Now,
back
up,” he said quietly but firmly, untying the horse.

    As the stallion hopped backwards, his owner’s voice shrilled, “I warn you, gentlemen! I warn you again to move up from all the lower seats. My horse cannot possibly be controlled by one man when he is free of his stall!”
    The stallion lunged forward and Bill jumped aside to avoid colliding with him. Then he tightened the cord quickly. Thunder’s head was pulled around and his weight was thrown onto the same side as his disabled foot. He couldn’t keep his balance and fell easily, rolling over on his side. Bill slackened the cord and the stallion jumped up, lunging at him again. Bill hopped in a circle and pulled on the cord.
    Down went Thunder once more, rolling over almost on his back this time. Bill slackened the cord and the stallion jumped to his feet.
    Bill lost track of how many times he threw Thunder before the horse finally lay quiet with the cord slack. Bill went toward him then, his hands moving gently over Thunder’s neck and head. For only a moment was there any resistance to his touch, then the giant muscles relaxed.
    “Now get up, big fellow,” Bill said softly, taking Thunder by the halter.
    The stallion got to his feet and Bill continued stroking him. Finally he reached down and released the foot strap. Thunder stood quietly, and when Bill led him around the ring he was as gentle as a horse could be. The crowd watched in stunned silence.
    After a few minutes Mr. Clayton rose to his feet. “You have worked some magic upon him!” he shouted.
    “No, I used only common sense and a little skillwhich you, too, can