The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-01-01
How They Hrenk Wild Horses.

Elilllh Nlltlf WIN UNlFiN nv NNNNFNN VI
reared have but little idea how the un-
tanned stecd OF the prairie is rendered
ts,rtoblc and useful At the present day
in Texas the herds Of mustangs that iur-
mcrly ranged over its vast prairie have
become almost extinct in the settled por-
tions, AND confnc themselves to the eX-
trcmr western countries. In their place
are horses mostly crossed with American
stock, which are in state Of miwild-
ne s-that is, they rORm ut will until
certain seasons OF the year, when all
such as can he caught are driven in herds
to huge pens constructed for the pur-
pose. to he branded and marked, after
which most of them are let loose to rom
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 lnsso the horses selected,
by the head aud four feet, and throw
him IN the earth then kind of halter
called "bosal, is put ON his hend,
both to serve MS bride and to take the
animal by. it being much more ctlectual
than halter or bride in checking his
frantic efforts to libcmtc himself. HeiS
either tied up closely all night or stakod,
at tho will Of the owner, The next
morning the sport begins.
] All horse or stock raisers have one or
more vuQucros, whom they employ for
the special purpose of breaking and rid
ing the wild and refractory horses. These
60 ont, followed by MI the members of
the family, and proceed to overhaul their
saddles and see that there isno defect
in the rigging When they are satis-
| fled that all is secure they lead, or rather
drag, forward the stecd. He is alter
natcly led, dragged and whipped for
ward, until he reaches the point where
hcis to he saddled.
/ A leather strip attached to the bosal
is then pulled over his eyes, and sad
die blanket is dropped gently over his
back, hut very seldom remains Mt the
first trial, MS he will almost invariably
shake it of. After one or moro trials,
however, he submits to both blanket
and saddle. The latter is strapped on
tightly with two girthS, fore and flank,
strapped so tightly that one unnccus-
toned to the sight would think it was
intended to cut the animal in two the
rider now adjusts the stake rope into
rcins 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 ndorns his heels with II huge
pair of spurs, stands directly facing the
horse, abreast or little forward OF the
shoulder. scizcs the under part Of the
hosal with his left hnnd, pulls the horses
head round near him to prevent being
kicked, takes the stirrup in his right
baud, aud turning it toward him. places
his foot in it firmly. Grnsping the
pomcl, he now gives the saddle a shake
or two, makes one or two fcints nj mount
ing, to see how his horscship will take
it, aud then suddenly springs, scating
himself securely in the saddle.
The blinds, Of course, are still over the
eyes OF the horse, and aS general thing
he stands with his neck stretched ont
md head partly down u perfect picture
OF awkwnrdncsg. Ihc rider is ut his
ease. aud adIu'.s himself md everything
about hir with the greatest care, rs he
knows mere is warm work before him.
Wien ready for the start he reaches
gently forward and slips mp the blinds
Naturally the horse is rather astonished
aud at first refuses to move. A sharp
application Of the whip aud spur, how
ever, readily induces him to change his
mind. He takes timidly one or two
awkward. steps, then, suddenly douh-
ling himself up until he resembles n
camel. and throwing his head down be-
fore his hiudtcct, he begins series of
pitches, which consist in jumping ms
high and us far MS he can, coming down
stitI-lcggcd.
Those who have accomplished the
extraordinary feat Of going down
flight of stairs ut one stop can form some
mint idea how it feels to sit on the back
of n pitching horse.
Some Of the more vicious will lie down
when the saddle is bucklcd on, and re-
quire tremendous amount Of whipping
10 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 for few jumps. and then
MS the Texans say, swap ends so quick
that It makes your head swim.
Fortunately. they soou tire Of such
violent exercise, being wholly Imaccus.
toned to saddle or weight on their
backs, and break dawn completely in n
few hours. The saddles are then taken
of. and they are reserved for another
trial the next morning.
The exercises continued for n week
or more, according to the nature OF the
horse when it is pronounced gentle and
tractahlc for good rider. hut woe to the
unsupported grccnhon that is tempted
to place himself on his hack.
4 few Of thchorscs are naturally gentle
naturcd, nnd never, unless frightened
in breaking, attempt to cut up at all.
| Those who love the horses aud desire to
see him roaming Mt will in all his benuty
and symmetry. with glossy hide ana
flowing name and tail should 10 to the
prnlrics
APRorEGNrf ADvcE.-It isrportcd
hy DR.. Palcy. one of the brightest orna-
uients Of the Christian Church, that
while pursuing his collegiate course, he
was inclined to idlcnCss and disSipa
ton. One morningn rich prohigatc iel
low student entered his room with this
singular rcproof,-