The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-01-04
How they Break Horses in Texas.

Those who have never visited the, regions
where wild horses are caught or reared have
but little idea how the untamed steed of the
prairie is rendered tractable and useful. AT
the present, day in Texas the herds of mustangs
that formerly ranged over its vast prairies have
become almost extinct in the settled portions,
and con6ne themselves to the extreme, western
crossed with American stock, which are In .
state of semi-wildness-that is, they roam ct
will=until certain seasons Of the year, when all
such as can be caught are driven in herds to
huge pens CONSTRUCTED, ,fos the purpose, to be
branded and marked, after which most of them
are let loose Do roam at will again. a .
When the owner of portion of 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 or froefeet
and throw him to theearth tthen kind Of hal
ter, called "bosal, O. is put on his head, both
to serve as bride and to take the animal by
it, being much more efectual 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
vaqueros, whom they employ for the special
purpose of breaking and riding wild and refac-
tory horses. These 60 out, followed by all the
members of the family, and proceed to over
haul their saddles and see that there is no de-
feet in the rigging" When they are satisfied
that all is secure, they lead or rather drag, for
ward 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 il
dropped gently on his back but very seldom
remains after the first trial, as he will almost
invariably shake it off. After one or two more
trials, however, he submits to both blanket and
saddle, The latter is strapped on tightly with
ltwe-gifths; fore and flank, strapped 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 securely to the bosal, leaving long
end BY which to hold on, m the event the horse
should succeed in throwing him.
Every thing is now. ready for the mount
The rider adorns his heels with q huge pair of
spurs, stands directly facing the horse abreast,
or q little forward of the shoulder, seizes the un
der part of the bosal with his left hand, pulls
his horses head round near him to prevent be-
ing kicked, takes the stirrup in his right hand
toward him, places his foot in it firmly. Grasp
ing the pommel, he now gives the saddle a
shake or two, makes one or two feints at mount
ing to see how his horseship will take it, and
then suddenly springs seating himself secure
ly 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 out and his head part
ly down, perfect picture of awkwardness.--
The rider is at his ease, and adjusts himselfan
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 off the blinds. Naturally the
horse is rather astonishcd, and at first refuses