The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-13
Horso-Raisiug I'm Texas

| Ono, of the most prolific sources of wealth
throughout entire Texas, is the raising OF
horses, AS the blue grass region of Ken
| trcky affords such delightful food fol
| horses, more extensive and greater GRO,
! OF mesquite grass, peculiar to Texas only,
furnishes to the stock raiser far better or
llcic OF food, and almost without limit.
everywhere Yves, Of the Trinity river it Is
] abundant, and cast of that river it is found
i'll many localities. Until very recently.
| stock men and horse -raiscrs encountered
severe trials from the Indians, who would
| frequently make raids and rob them of
much OF their property; taking on these
occasions, the very best ST 1ck Oh the rancho.
One OF the pcculiarities of all the Indian
tribes is their knowledge of and eXtraordi-
nary fondness for the horse. They seem to
have an intuitive understanding of nll the
stro: gpointsabout the animal, and generally
steal the best of the horses on the rancho or
III the corral, or wherever else these govern
mental thicvc make their predatory incur
sions. Keeping or raising horses is much
easier than cattle or sheep. After securing
the rancho, which is similar to selecting
tho proper location for cattle, as given in a
previous letter, the owner divides his stock
into ''ban,ls," or ''bunchcs," or scaval-
lards," of 20 to 25 mares and their colts
and as many ycarlngs and places stall
lion with them, which acts in the capacity
OF hcrdcr. The lunches arc placed about
a mile apart. The stallion guards his cav
allnrd witha jealous eye, and allows no in
tcrtercnce from other horses, often battling
SO fcroclously with any and all nlruders
That when the owner Or hcrtlsman an
proachcs, he is compelled to use stones or
o'hcr missiles before the guardian allows him
10 enter The range over which he holds s,l-
prcmc jurisdiction. When the horses 90
10 water his equine ma jcsy drives them to
INC creek, stands over them while they
drink, quenchcs his own thirst, and then
leads the bGNd back to their accustomed
1ccdlng grounds. lie also brings the bunch
up TO the sailing place, keeps the closest
watch oyer those entrusted to his gucrdian-
snip and, when all have received their uuo-
Ia " salt, the chief circles and leads them
back as before lIerding or driving by
the cavallard exhibits the sagactity of the
anma IN eases Of eihe5 RI the ars,
Or running off, the attendant promptly fol-
lows circles, or promptly runs around the cs-
tray, and with ears well SET puts his head
near the ground on the side opposite to the
direction in which he desires them to go;
and, understanding his nod, they usually
yield willing obedience, and start back to
the rancho, Or whenever the cavallard may
be. Should the mares become rebc!lious, the
stallion picks and bites them until they, be-
come Obcdient and placed under complete
subjcction. The supreme command of
this horse, and the autocratical manner in
which he shows his authority, is delight
full TO behold. He is a very severe discip-
linarian, most careful and competent
GUARDIAN and as kind to those under him
rs mother can he to Il babe. When, by
chance, two cavallards happen to meet, the
the stallion representing each will advance
and commence to battle II is generally
sharp and decisive The lunches, when
their leaders begin to :lght, move off to the
right and left every step widening the dis.
tancc between them. The stations runs up
and down their respective columns. with
more anxiety and exercising even greater
surveillance, than a faithful colonel at the
head Of his regiment. When the engage
mcnt terminates, and quiet is fully restored
along the entire line, the stallion takes his
accustomed position in the rear. When
on the move for better grass, and 1t is found
and it is necessary for the bunch to stop,
the stallion selects the ground, and running
forty or fifty yards ahead, puts his cars
back, his head down, and comes to halt
facing those under his charge. The bunch
will Immediately obey this signal, and go to
grazing.