Description: A native of Groveport, Ohio, John Solomon Rarey (1827-1866) gained international fame using kindness, firmness, and patience to train previously unmanageable horses. His innovative methods captured international attention and secured him invitations to tour Europe, Canada, and Russia. In what was perhaps the most famous of his demonstrations, Rarey tamed a vicious horse named Cruiser in three hours. Rarey was given the horse as a reward for his skill. He then went on to exhibit Cruiser and his techniques throughout the U.S. and Europe. After returning to Ohio in 1856, Rarey published this popular manual, which explained his basic techniques. He publicized the book with a large display at the Ohio Stage Company at the corner of Gay and Fifth streets in Columbus. The manual is 62 pages long and measures 3.5" by 6" (9 by 16 cm). The first 19 pages are included here. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1506_1500767_001
Subjects: Plants and Animals; Horses--Training; Rarey, John Solomon, 1827-1866;
Places: Groveport (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: This portrait, which measures 52 by 38.75 inches (132.08 by 98.42 cm), was painted by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg. It shows John Solomon Rarey and Cruiser. Rarey (1827-1866), a native of Groveport, Ohio, gained international fame using kindness, firmness, and patience to train previously unmanageable horses. His innovative methods captured international attention and secured him invitations to tour Europe, Canada, and Russia. In what was perhaps the most famous of his demonstrations, Rarey tamed a vicious horse named Cruiser in three hours. Rarey was given the horse as a reward for his skill. He then went on to exhibit Cruiser and his techniques throughout the U.S. and Europe. Miner Kilbourne Kellogg (1814-1889), was born in New York but moved to Cincinnati with his family as a young boy. Kellogg was known for his portraits, landscapes, and religious scenes, and for arranging art exhibitions. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1438_1500080_001
Subjects: Arts and Entertainment; Plants and Animals; Horses; Horses--Training; Rarey, John Solomon, 1827-1866
Places: Groveport (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: The English Duchess of Sutherland gave this inkwell to John Rarey in recognition of his gentle technique of taming horses. It is one of the many gifts that aristocratic and royal families in Europe and Russia gave to the horse trainer. It measures 7.67 by 1.57 inches (19.5 by 4 cm). John S. Rarey (1827-1866), a native of Groveport, Ohio, gained international fame using kindness, firmness and patience to train previously unmanageable horses. His innovative methods captured international attention and secured him invitations to tour Europe, Canada and Russia. In what was perhaps the most famous of his demonstrations, Rarey tamed a vicious horse named Cruiser in three hours. Rarey was given the horse as a reward for his skill. He then went on to exhibit Cruiser and his techniques throughout the U.S. and Europe. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1439_1534949_001
Subjects: Plants and Animals; Horses; Horses--Training; Rarey, John Solomon, 1827-1866; Inkstands
Places: Groveport (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Cruiser wore this ornamental harness when John Solomon Rarey exhibited the horse before an audience. It measures 10 by 35 inches (25.5 by 80.9 cm), and is decorated with fringe with small brass seed beads. In what was perhaps the most famous of Rarey's demonstrations, he tamed a vicious horse named Cruiser in three hours. Rarey was given the horse as a reward for his skill. He then went on to exhibit Cruiser and his techniques throughout the U.S. and Europe. Rarey (1827-1866), a native of Groveport, Ohio, gained international fame using kindness, firmness and patience to train previously unmanageable horses. His innovative methods captured international attention and secured him invitations to tour Europe, Canada and Russia. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om1458_1535384_001
Subjects: Plants and Animals; Horses; Horses--Training; Rarey, John Solomon, 1827-1866; Harnesses
Places: Groveport (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Portrait of John S. Rarey (1827-1866) and his horse, Cruiser was painted by Miner K. Kellogg (1814-1889). This photograph of the painting was taken before its restoration. The canvas has numerous tears and blemishes. The three-quarter-length portrait shows Rarey standing and wearing a dark suit and tie. Cruiser (1852-1875) is standing to his right. The horse's head rests just above Rarey's right shoulder. Rarey's right hand is reaching under the horse's neck, while his left is at his side holding a leather strap. Over Rarey's left shoulder is an American flag. The painting is signed by the artist and dated 1860. A native of Groveport, Ohio, Rarey gained international fame using kindness, firmness, and patience to train previously unmanageable horses. His innovative methods captured international attention and secured him invitations to tour Europe, Canada, and Russia. In a legendary demonstration, Rarey tamed a vicious horse named Cruiser in three hours and was given the animal as a reward. He then went on to exhibit Cruiser and his techniques throughout the United States and Europe. Miner K. Kellogg was born in Manlius, New York, but moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, with his family as a young boy. Kellogg was known for his portraits, landscapes, and religious scenes, and for arranging art exhibitions. His portraits of famous men include those of Presidents Washington, Jackson, Van Buren, Polk, and Garfield, General Winfield Scott, and Sir Stratford Canning. In the 1850s Kellogg traveled and painted in Europe and the Near East. Kellogg became an art collector of considerable discernment. He died in Toledo, Ohio. Rarey and Kellogg met in England in 1860 while both were at the pinnacle of their careers; Kellogg painted the portrait at that time. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL05935
Subjects: Painting; Rarey, John Solomon, 1827-1866; Kellogg, Miner K. (Miner Kilbourne), 1814-1889; Artists--Ohio--Cincinnati; Art--Conservation and restoration; Horses--Training
Places: England