Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-02-05
Tanning n Wild Horse in Mexico.

tanning Wild Horse in Mexico.
The following graphic sketch of
the breaking to saddle of a wild horse
in Mexico is given by an eyewitness:
Preparations began for sadd.ing
the wild horse; no easy task, for in
order to saddle him it was necessary
to keep him Oh his legs; and, as if
he guessed the object of the vaqueros,
he began to kick up furiously. A
lasso was passed under the fctlock Of
the left hindlcg and fastened tightly
to the breast-leathcr of the horse, so
as to press the thigh against the
belly.
The right front lee was bent by
the same means, and thus kept in
equilibrium the horse was condemned
to immobllity.
Benito seized his heavy saddle by
the pummcl and threw it over the
back of the horse, who shook and
trembled when his loins felt the bur-
den and the large wooden stirrups
rcbounded against his sides. The
girt was violently tightened under
the belly, and the vaquero seated
himself on the ground to fasten the
spurs on his feet.
At this moment ! glanced toward
the stand. Maria Antonio was mo-
tionless, but her large black eyes,
Immediately open, sparkled in her
now pale face, and the agitation of
her bosom betrayed her agony.
Don Ramon himself seemed fright
ened, and once l thought he was
about to recall the permission which
exposed the intrepid young man to
almost certain death. But he said
nothing.
When Benito had fastened his
spurs, the bonds which kept the
horses legs were loosened and the
leathern bandage tied over his eyes.
Yet, though held by the rope which
twisted his lip, the furious leaps of
the animal prevented his being
mounted.
He was forced down on his knees,
and two vaqueros, each biting one Of
his ears, kept him thus a second
Benito sprang on the horses back.
''Let him CO." he exclaimed in a
firm voice.
The two vaqueroS quickly jumped
back, whilst the vild animal started
up as if moved by some concealed
mechanism.
Owing to the lcathcrn bandages
that blinded him, he at first stood on
his legs, trembling, with upturncd
nostrils.
Benito availed himself Of this short
respite to seat himself firmly in the
saddle, leaned forward, and raised
the baEdage that covered the ami
mails eyes.
Then commenced a truly admirable
struggle between the man and the
beast.
Frightened at the sudden light
which dazzled his bloodshot eyes,
shaking his tangled name, which
stood erect with rage, the fiery ami
NAL neighed terribly and bounded
toward the four points of the COM
pass as if to scent the wind
Benito, without seeming shaken by
these impetuous bounds, still kept on
the defensive, roughly kicking away
at the beasts mouth, as it tried to
bite his legs. The toiled animal
reared suddenly on his launches. In
vain the spurs running into his groins
made him rear Instead of falling
on his legs he threw himself violently
on his back.
The spectators all scream ed, but
the pummel Of the saddle alone
knocked against the earth with a
lugubrious sound. Benito, toresceing
the shock, had sprung lightly to the
ground.
In the midst Of a cloud of dust the
astonished spectators soon beEcld the
horse-tamer leap into the saddle by
the off side, against all equestrian
rules, at the moment when the be
wildered horse got up neighing. The
vaquero, in his turn, appeared mad
with fury. For the first time in hls
life he had been unhorsed Impatient
to revenge this insult his legs never
ceased pressing the horses legs but
to trace bloody 1urrows with the
spurs under his belly; his hands only
left hold of the horsc-hair snaffle but
to shower down blows on the enraged
animals bruised skin.
But as yet neither had the advant
age; and, after few minutes of turi-
Gus struggle, the two antagonists
stood still for Il moment
Applause resomded on all sides;
and certainly, to meet the admiration
of those centaurs, it was necessary to
have accomplished more than it is
usually given man to accomplish.
Either the vaquero was one of
those whom danger and applause in
toxicated, or he thought himself able
to do still more, for he protited by
this pause to draw sharp knife out
of the garter of his boot.
'Hallo!" exclaimed Don Ramon, Il
less passive spectator Of a struggle
in which, apparently, the life of the
horse was in question; SIS the rascal
going to cut the horses throat::"
Indignation flashed from Maria
Antonio's black eyes at the supposl-
ton that man whom she had distin-
guished could be coward, and Il
superb smile of pride lighted up her
features at the sight of Benito, who,
i'll Il fight of wild temerity, intoxi-
Gated, no doubt, by the presence Of
his beloved, had cut the horses snaf-
file, and thus placed himself, without
bride, at the mercy of an untamable
animal.
Freed from the bozaI which com
pressed his nostrils, the horse noisily
breathcd the air of the forests, shook
the wave of his golden name, and set
off in the direction of the Topped
tree.
Such was the impetuosity of his
career that it seemed impossible to
prevent his dashing against the OBJ
stacles in his way. Nothing there
fore could prevent the rider from the
e, ta ou,oitiufr him