The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-12-08
How they Break Wild Horses In Texas.

| tanned steed OF the pralrleS Is rendered
tractable and usefnl. AT the present
day in Texas the hordes of mustangs
that formerly ranged over its vast prai
ries have become almost extinct in the
settled portions, and confine themselves
to the extreme western counties. In
their place are horses mostly crossed
with American stock, which are in q
state of semi-wildness-that is, they
roam at will until certain seasons of the
year, when all such us can be caught
are driven in herds to huge pens con-
structed for the purpose, to be branded
and marked, after which most of them
are let loose to roam at will again.
When the owner of portion of
herd desires to break any of his young
horses he proceeds in this wise the
first movement is to lasso the horse Sc.
lected by the head and fore feet, and
throw him TO the earth then kind of
hair halter, called I" bosal,n is put on
his head, both to serve as bride and to
stake the animal by, it being much
more efiectual than halter or bride in
checking his frantic efforts to liberate
himself. He is either tied up closely
all night or staked. at the will of the
owner. The next morning the sport
begins.
| All horse and stock -raisers have one
or more rdqueroS, whom the employ for
the special purpose Of breaking and
| riding wild and refractory horses.
| These 60 out, followed by all the members
| of the family, and proceed to overhaul
their saddles and see that there is no
defect in the "rigging." When thew
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 to be saddled.
A leather strap attached to the bosal
is then pulled over his eyes, and sad
die blanket is dropped gently on his
back, but very seldom remains at the
first trial, as he will almost invariably
shake it Oft. After one or more trials,
however, he submits to both blanket
and saddle. The latter article is strap
ped on tightly with two girths fore and
flank; strapped indeed so tightly that
one unaccustomed 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 Sc
curely 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
Il huge pair of spurs, stands directly
facing the horse, or little forward of the
shoulders, seizes the under Part of the
bosal with his left hand, pulls the horses
head round near him to prevent
being kicked, takes the stirrup in his
al l.
places his left foot in it firmly. Grasping
the pommel he now gives the saddle a
shake or two, makes one or two feints
at mounting to see how his horse-ship
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 a general
thing he stands with his neck stretched
out and head partially down, perfect
picture of awkwardness. The rider is 4.
at ease, and adjusts himself and every
thing about him with the greatest care,
as he knows there is warm work before
him. When ready for the start he
reaches gently forward and slips up the
blinds. Naturally the horse is rather
astonished at first and refuses to move.
A sharp application OF the whip and
81 ur, however, readily induces him to
change his mind. He takes timidly one
or two awkard steps, then suddenly
doubling himself up until he resembles
a camel, and throwing his head down
before his ioreteet, he begins series of
pitches, which consists in jumping as
high and as far as he can, coming down
stfi:legged.
Those who have accomplished the
extraordinary feat of going down a
! flight OF stairs at one step can form
some faint idea how it feels to sit on the
back of pitching horse.
Some Of the more vicious will lie
down when the saddle is buckled on,
and it requires a tremendous amount
Of whipping to get them started some
will rear and fall backward, occasionally
killing their riders some will pitch
straight ahead for quite "a distance,
while others will pitch straight forward
for a few jumps, and then as the Tex
ans say, "swap ends so quick that it
makes your head SWIM"
Fortunately, they soon tire of such
violent exercise, being wholly unaccus-
toned to saddle or weight on their
backs, and break down completely in Il
few hours. The saddles are then taken
Off, and they are reserved for another
trial next morning.
This exercise is continued for a week
or more, according to the nature OF the
horse, when he is pronounced gentle and
tractable enough for a good rider, but
woe to the unsuspecting greenhorn that
is tempted to place himself on his
back.
A few of the horses are naturally
g6ntle-natured, and never, unless
frightened in breaking attempt to cut
up at all. Those who love the horse
and desire to see him roaming at will
in all his beauty and symmetry, with
glossy hide and flowing name and tail,
should 60 to the prairies.
SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich, rather prides
itself on corpulent infants. The latest
arrival in that line kicks the beam at
Is pounds, and when he inquiries for