Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-10-06
How They Break Wild Horses Ia
Texas.


How They Break Wild Horses In
Texas.
THOSE who have never visited the re-
pions where wild horses are caught or
Feared have but little idea how the un-
tanned steed of the prairies is rendered
tractable and useful. At the present day
in Texas the hordes of mustangs that for
mcrly ranged over its vast prairies have
become almost extinct in the settled por-
tions, and confine themselves to the ex-
treme 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 sea.
sons of the year, when all such as can be
caught are driven in herds to huge pens
constructed tor the purpose, to be branded
and marked, after which most of them are
let loose to roam at will agsin.
When the owner of portion of herd
desires 10 break any of his young horses
he proceeds in this wise The first move
ment is to lasso the horse selected by the
head aud fore 1eet, and throw him to the
earth; then kind of hair halter, called a
"bosal," is put on his head, both to serve
as q bridal or to stake the animal by, it be.
ing much more etfectual than halter or
bridal IN checking his frantic efforts to
hberate himself. He is either tied up close
ly at night or staked, at the will of the
owner. The next morning the sport be-
gins.
Ali horse and stock raisers have one or
more UGqueros, whom they employ far the
special purpose of breaking ana riding
wild and refractory horses. These go out,
followed by all the members of the family,
90 hasr "A
zee 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 oosal Is
then pulled over his eyes, and a saddle
blanket is dropped gently on his back, tut
very keldom remains at the tirst trial, as
he will almost invariably shake it off.
After one or more trials, however, he sub
mits to both blanket ami saddle. The lat
ter is strapped on tightly with two girths,
fore and flank strapped, indeed, so tight
| ly, 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 secure
| ly to the bosal, leaving a loIg end by
which t. hold on, in the event the horse
should succeed in thro wing him.
Every ything is now ready for the mount.
| The rider adoIns his heels with huge
! pair of spurs, stands directly facing the
horse, abreast or little forward OF tie
shoulder, seizes the u, der part Of the bo.
sol with his left hand, pulls the horses
head round near him to prevent being
kicked, takes the stiTrup in his right hand
and turning it toward him, places his left
foot in it firmly. Grasping the pommel
he now gives the saddle shake or two
makes one or two ieints at mountiGg tC
see how mis- horseship will take it, and
then suddenly springs, seating himsel
securely in toe saddle.
The blinds, of course, are still over the
eyes of the horse, and, as general thing
he stand his neck stretched out ant
head partially down, a perfect picture o
aWk wardness. The rider is at his ease
and adjusts himself and everything abou
him with the greatest care, as he know
there is warm work before him. Whel
ready for the start he reaches gently for
ward and slips up the blinds. Naturall
the horse is rather astonished at first, an,
refuses to move. A sharp application o
the whip and spur, however, readily in
duces HIM to change his mind. He take
timidly one or two awkward steps, an
then suddenly doubling himself up unit
ne resembles camel, and throwing hi
head down before his fore feet, he begin
a series Of pitches, which consist in jumI
ing as high and far as he can, coming dow
sif,legsed.
Those who have accomplished the e.
; traordlnaTy feat of going down flight {
! stairs at one step, can form some faint ide
how it ieels TO sit on the back of pitct
ing horse.
Some of the more vicious will lie dow
when the saddle is buckled on, and it r
, quires tremeni ious amount of whiplin
to get tht m started; some will rear on
fall backward, occasionally killing the
riders; some wi pitch straight ahead f
) quite distance, while Others will pltC
straight forward for few jumps, and tie
as the Texans say, swap ends SO quiC
that it makes your head swim"
7, Fortunately thsy soon tire of such VII
| lent exercise, being wholly unsccustome
to saddle or weight on their backs, an
break down completely III few hour
. The saddles are then taken of, and the
, are reserved for another trial next mOrl
ing.
This exercise is continued for a week {
I more, according to the nature of the hors
: when he is pronounced gentle ana tract
BILE enough for good ride, but woe
the unsuspec ing greenhorn that is temp
: ca to place himself on his back.
. A few of the horses are naturally gel
tle'natnred, and never, unless frightene
in breaking, attempt to cut up at a.
, Those who love the morse, snd desire
! Tee him roaming at will in his beauty al
! symmetry, with glossy hide and flown
name ana tail, sh uld go to the praries.