New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-11-16

Those who have never visited the regions
where wild horses are caught or reared have
but little idea how the untamed steed of the
prairies are rendered tractabe and useful. At
the present day in Texas the hordes of mus
tangs that formerly ranged over its vast prai.
ries have become almost extiRct 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 state of semi wildness-that is, they roam
at will until certain seasons of the year, when
all such as can be caught are driven 10 herds to
huge pens constructed 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 a portion of a herd de-
sires to break any of his young horses he pro-
ceeds in this wise The first movement is to
lasso the horse selected by the head and fore
feet, and throw him to the earth then a kind
of hair halter, called " bossal," is put on his
head, both to serve as a bridal and to stake the
animal by, it being much more effectual 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 or stock raisers have one or
more Udgueros, whom they 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 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 to be saddled.
A leather strap attached to the bosal is then
pulled over his eyes, and saddle blanket is
dropped gently on his back, but very seldom
remains at the first trial, as he will almost in.
variably shake it off. After one or more trials,
however, he submits to both blanket and sad
die. The latter article is strapped on tightly
with two girths, fore and flank, strapped, in.
deed, so tight, that one unaccustomed to the
sight would think that it was intended to cut
the animal ia two; the rider now adjusts the
stake rope into reins by tylngit securely to the
bosal, leaving lorg end by which to hold on,
in the event the horse should succeed in throw
ing him.
everything is now ready for the mount. The
rider adorns his heels with huge pair of
spurs, stands directly facing the horse, or a
little forward of the shoulder. seizes the under
part of the bosal with his left hand pulls the
horses head around near him to prevent being
kicked, takes the strrup in his right hand, and
turning it toward him places his left foot 10 it
firmly. Grasping the pommel, he now gives
the saddle shake or two, makes one or two
feints at mounting to see how his horseship
himself securely in the saddle
The blinds, of course are still over the eyes
Of the horse, which as a general thing stands
with his neck stretched out and head partially
down, perfect picture of awkwardness. 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
forward and slips up the blinds. Naturally
the horse is rather astonished at first and re-
fuses to move. A sharp application of the
whip aid spurs, however, readily induces him
to change his mind. He takes timidly one or
two awkward steps, then suddenly doubling
up until he resembles a camel and throwing
his head down between his fore feet, he begins
a series of piehes, which consist In jumping as
high and far as he can, coming down stiff.
legged.
those who have accomplished the extraor-
binary feat of going down flight of stairs at
one step can form some faint idea how it feels
to sit on the back of a pitching horse.
Some of the more vicious will lie down when
the saddle is buckled on, -and it requires ire
mendous amount Of whipping to get them
started; some will rear and fall backward,
occasionally killing their riders some will
pitch straight ahead for quite distance, while
others will pitch straight forward for a few
jumps, and then. as the Texans say, "swap
ends so quick that il makes your head swim'
Fortunately they soon tire of such violent
exercise, being wholly unaccustomed to q sad
die or weight on taeir backs and break down
completely in a few hours. The saddles are
then taken of, aud they are reserved for an
other trial next morning.