Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-09-17
HOW WILD HORSES ARE tanned.

tives, mounted on well disciplined steeds, anC
headed by the Englishmen, went out on thu
campos for this purpose. Perched amid the
branches of tall tree, had an extensive view
of the grassy plain, and was able distinctly tc
observe all the movements of the equestrians
The horsemen were riding rapidly in the di
rection of small grove, when suddenly a troop
of forty or fifty of the wild creatures emerged
from behind it and bounded away with astonish.
ing velocity over the meadow. A spirited chase
was now commenced by the mounted natives
who strained their swift animals to their great
est capacity; never did witness more in.
tensely exciting spectacle than the one which
was now before me. The names and tails OF
the horses were flying wildly in the air, while a
mass of hoofs were rising and falling with a
rapidity which showed how tightly strung were
the muscles of the animals.
To my surprise the Englishman kept the
lead, and was obviously gaining upon the quick
footed fugitives. Coming up with them, he
seized his lasso, and began to swing it around
his head, gradually enlarging the circles by per-
hitting the smooth rope to slip gently through
his fingers.
BY sudden motion, at the same instant
plunging the spurs into his charger, in order to
increase his speed if possible, he dashed quick
ly forward, and hurled his lasso with unerring
skill around the neck of the foremost horse.
The herd were now thrown into a panic, and
wheeling around in their course, they were
completely surrounded by their pursuers Sew
eral were lassoed by the natives, and the re-
mainder kept together by two or three of the
horsemen, who were continually circling around
them; not one of them escaped, and ere an
hour had elapsed, they were driven safely into
one Of the pens at Cajueiro, neighing loudly,
and their mouths covered with creamy foam-
The best horses being selected from the herd
and properly secured, the others were again
turned at large.
them cannot be styled by any other term than
that of barbarous; yet it is so efiicacious that
the poor animals are rendered perfectly docie
and manageable in the course of two or three
days.
One afternoon an opportunity was afforded
me OF witnessing the operation. In the largest
Enclosure proudly stood one of the majestic an
imas kicking up the earth with his hoofs, and
shaking the heavy name on his finely curved
neck, while his bright eyes glanced fearfully
around him, and his loud laughing voice ringing
wildly in the quiet air, seemed to be calling on
MS lar OH companions Tor rellel.
The firery creature was held by strong hal
ter of at least fifteen feet in length, manned by
three of the muscular and bare-chested natives.
Soon moose was thrown around his neck by a
couple of powerful blacks stationed on the OPP
posite side Of the enclosure. They then pulled
with all their strength one way, while those who
had hold of the halter eXertcd themselves ve-
hementlyin the contrary direction. The OBJ
ject evidently was to effect partial stranguation,
in order that they might weaken and temperate
ly overcome the wonderful power of the spirit
ed creature.
Violent were the plunges of the captive steed
as he sought in vain, by superhuman exertions,
to free himself from the grasp of his cruel tor
mentors, who stood like heartless demons az
ound him. His terrific leaps only served to
draw the cord tighter and tighter about his
neck; his breathing became more and more diff.
fcult, and might have been heard audibly at the
distance of furlong. His heart beat as if it
would burst his heaving bosom, and his veins
stood out in ridges along his quivering flesh
At last overwhelmed with the intensity of his
agony, and poweress from suffocation, he fell,
and for an instant lay without sense or motion
upon the ground The moose was Immediately
oosed about his neck and shortly returning
began to light his glazed eyes
the fresh air swelled his nostrils, and his tre-
chest rose and fell like the pillows of
The sea. At the expiration of fifteen minutes
ne was once more on his feet, but how differ
ent from the magnificent animal who had stood
N his native pride and dignity, paving that san
ly soil an hour before Weak-hardly able to
'tand-his head dropping, and his eyes without
ray, he looked like miserable spectre of his |
ormer self-like monarch dragged from his
hrone who has been scoffed at by those whom
lie had before despised and forced to be wretch
ID and miserable slave.
The persecution Of the horse was now by no
means concluded. AS soon as he had recover
ID somewhat from his exhaustion he was noun
ed by naked Indian, who was rewarded for
lis temerity by being thrown to a considerable
distance over the head of the animal. The ma
i've, however, was but little hurt, and in
ew moments again resumed his dangerous seat.
This time he kept his place, Notwithstanding
he vast efforts of the animal to shake him off
n fact, the horse and his rider, being nearly of
he same color, brought wildly to my mind the
of an ancient Centaur.
The animal was now held tightly BY long
ope, and forced to run round and round in
ircle. Whenever he tagged, or manifested the
lightest obstinacy, native, with heavy knot
ed cord swinging around his head, would give
i'm terrible blow on his tanks, the pain of
which was almost sufficient to drive him into
,adness. Gradually he became more and more
oosy and NJ he Il 81 L..