New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-11-19

a RkRl1OUe TRADE.
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Those Who have never visited the region
~ - ia ~ "a g. ssnsht e sss s,ss
Of tho prairies IL rendered tractable an
useful. AT the present day in Texas tn
herds Of mustangs that, formerly ranges
over its vast prairies have become alm6s
t4hooeoavee>e-e Wesee11 esuatee
In their places are shorsea mostly crosset
with American stool, which are in stat
Of semi-wildness-that il, they roam at vii
until certain seasons Of the year, when al
such - can be caught are driven in herdl
| to hugo pens constructed for the purpose
| to be branded and marked, after which
| most Of them are let loose to roam at viii
again. s44! nj gul 90 god, On,
desires to break any Of his young horses
he proceeds in tbs wise: The first move.
ment is, to lasso the horse selected BY the
the head and fore feet, and throw him to
tho earth; then Q kind of hair halter called
. .'bosa" 10 put on his head. both to serve
as q bride and to stake the animal by, it
being much more efectual than halter or
bride in checking his frantic efforts to iber-
ate himself. He 10 either tied up closely all
night or staked, at the will Of the owner.
The next morning the sport begins. oAI
more vaqueros, whom they employ for the
special purpose Of breaking and riding wild
and refractory horses. These go ont, fol-
lowed by all the members of the family, and
proceed to overhaul their saddles, and see
that there 10 NO defect in the t'rigging."
When they are satisfied that all is secure,
they lead, or rather drag, forward the steed.
He is alternately led, dragged and whipped
forward, until he reaches the point where
he is 70 be saddled. eaI e e.s1 .-a.
"A leather strap attached to the bosal 10
then pulled over his eyes, and saddle
blanket il dropped gently on his back. but
very seldom remains at the first trial, "a he
will almost invariably shake it of. After
both blanket and saddle. The latter article
is strapped on tightly with two girths, fore
and flank: strapped 90 tightly that one un-
accustomed to the sight would think that it
was intended to cut the animal In two; the
rider now adjusts the stake rope into reins
by tying it securely to the bosal, leaving
long end by which to hold on, in the event
the horse should succeed in throwing him.
Everything is now ready for the mount.
The rider adOrns his heels with huge pair
of spurs, stands directly facing the horse,
abreast or little forward Of the shoulder,
seizes the under part of tho bOsal with his
left hand, pulls the horses head round near
him to prevent being kicked, takes the stir
rup in his right hand, and turning it to-
ward him places his left foot in it firmly.
Graeping the pommel, he now gives the
saddle shake or two, makes one or two
feints at mounting to see how his horseship
will take it. and then suddenly springs,
seating himself securely in the saddle.
The blinds, of course, are still over the
eyes of the horse, and as general thing
he stands. his neck stretched ont and
head partly down, perfect picture of
The rider is at his ease,
and adjusts himself and everything about
him with the greatest care, as he knows
there is warm work before him. When
ready for the start he reaches gently for
ward and slips up the blinds. Naturally
the horse is rather astonished, and at first |
refuses to move. A sharp application of |
he whip and spur, however, readily in
luces him to change his mind. He takes |
imidly one or two awkward steps, then |
doubling himself up until he re-
embles q camel, and throwing his head |
Town before his fore feet, he begins series |
# pitches, which consist in jumping as high |
md as far as he can, coming down stiff |
FEe!. v,o h.rs ...omn,;.n.d ~. .x.
= oVA UAudAy AC0O Va SOAuS AOWA u |
tairs at one step can form some faint idea
low it feels to sit on the back of q pitching
lOrse.
Some of the more vicious will lie down
ghen the saddle is buckled on, and it re.
Luires a tremendous amount Of whipping to
let them started; some will rear and fall
'ackward, occasionally killing their riders;
ome will pitch straight ahead tor quite a
istance, while others will pitch straight
onward for a few jumps and then, as the
exams say, "swap ends SO quick that it
makes your head SWIM"
Fortunately they soon tire of such VIC
emit exercise, being wholly unaccustomed
0 a saddle or weight on their back and
reak down completely in few hours. The
adde's are then taken of, and they are
eeerved Tor another trial next morning.
This exercise is continued for a week or
,Ore, according to the nature of the horse,
hen it is pronounced gentle and tractable
,r good rider, but woe to the unsuspecting
reenhorn that is tempted to place himself
n his back.
A few of the horses are naturally gentle
atured, and never, unless frightened in
reaking, attempt to cut up at all. Those
no love the hOree and desire to see him
,aming at will in his beauty and SYM
Ietry, with glossy hide and flowing name
nd tail, should 60 to the prairies.