The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-03-02
Capturing Wild Horses.

A large mob of wild horses is described,
coming toward the riders, over a distant rise
AS they draw near and see themselves headed
by mounted men, they wheel sharply on one
side, and, with names and tails streaming in
the wind, and their TANKS shining with mos
ture, they gallop off in another direction, but
only to find enemies wherever they turn. At
last, in desperation they make straight for the
widest gap they see in the circle. The two
men between whom they hope to escape leap
off their hack horses which they quickly hob
Bile and leave loose, and, mounting bareback
on the spare one wait for the right moment
for closing on the flying and already distressed
baguales as they make their final rush. II
they do so too soon, of course the mob swerves
to one side, and passes behind the hunter; but
If they manage well, the two simultaneously
close In on the drove, boleadoras in hand ready
to cast; and at the moment the horses pass,
each singles out a od-looking colt, whirls the
balls round his head and, letting fly, entanges
them round both hind-egs so effectually that
the victim, after struggling on some fifty yards,
ID CUIlSCu w SuUullts anu idllS heavily ON6l .
Alter the first cast the hunter passes on close
to the heels OF the escaping mob, and loosen
ing his second pair from round his waist,
often secures another colt. Then he dismounts
and after tying the PROSTATE animals fore
boots close together with some of the many
raw-hde thongs about his person or his horse,
he leaves it, struggling but secure, and resumes
his place in the circle lis before. In case there
is more game within it. And here let me give
Z brief desc rlpton of the boleadoras, for it is
these that are chiefly used-and not the lazo
rs is commonly supposed-for catching the
wild horses of the Pampa. Three double
twisted thongs of raw horse-hide, each about
three feet six inches long, are s0ftened by
rubbing ana working them in the hands, and
when in plant state are tied together at one
end At the other end of one is fastened
stone ball, covered with hide and shaped so
as to fit the grasp of the hand and to the
other two ends are bound wooden balls, (ot
the size OF small croquet one,l also cased in
hide. Grasping firmly the stone one, the
hunter whirls the others round his head, and
when the right moment has arrived, he lets go
las u boy does half his sling) and the three
balls twist the thongs around whatever they
are thrown at. But to resume. After all the
baguales inclosed have escaped or been caught,
we look after the osrches, which have, as
rule, remained hiding themselves about the
middle of the circle. Any who may have
singly tried to run off previously, have been
allowed to do so but if troop should have
made rush during the horse hunt) three OF
four OF the men pursue, and generally bag one
apiece. Many others will drop into the low
grass, hoping not to be seen but the CORE
dores are too keen-sighted and experienced
and galloping up and down, they beat the
ground like spanels, shouting and whistling.
until the birds are flushed, one by one and
have to run for it. On these expeditions any
deer and guanacos "a species of liama) are Eo
hunted; only so when neither baguales nor
ostrches haye been incosed.