The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-04-29
FUN or BREAKING A eRoNCHo.
The Severe But saIutary Lessons Given by
COWBOYS to Unbroken Colts.

The Severe But saIutary Lessons Given by
Cowboys to Unbroken Colts.
While the boss goes on assigning the
horses, Tex coils up his RATA, rope of
plated rawhide as large as your finger
and from fifty to eighty feet long. On
the end of this is worked "hondoo." or
small ring of cowhide, through which the
rope is doubled, and he pulls enough
slack through it to make loop fifteen or
twenty feet in circumference. Holding
the coil in his left hand, he grasps the
rope Just outside the loop and holds it in
his right hand, doubled back on the loop.
Then he throws the loop out behind him
and shouts to the colt, who makes dash
along the side of the corral. AS he passes
Tex throws the loop overland and jerks
it taut as it falls over the pony's head.
The frightened colt runs to the end of
the rope at full speed, and meanwhile
Tex crouches on the ground, with his
weight thrown back on the rope. The
pony changes ends with a jerk that al
most breaks his neck, and then Tex runs
UP to him. This gives him slack and
starts him again, and after the perform
ance has been gone through a dozen
times the pony has learned not to run
on a rope" and the first step toward his
education is accomplished. He is then
named. This is a subject for debate, an
Tex finally decides on ~Streaks," as APP
propriate to paint" or piebald horse
Streaks is led out of the corral. and,
while one of the other boys holds the
rope. Tex takes another rope, and as the
pony runs past him snares his fore feet
and throws him. This second rope is
passed to another man, who holds it 80
that the pony is powerless.
Blanket and saddle are clinched on,
and "hackamore, a sort of halter with a
nose-piece that will draw tightly when
pulled, is put on. To this is added n
horsehair rope, called Iaacarte, and,
after handkerchief has been put over
the pony's eyes the other ropes are
loosed. Streaks plunges To his feet and
runs on the macarte. This he finds even
more Improbable that running ON the
RATA, for the nose-piece brings him up
all standing. When he is quiet enough
to approach, Tex ties the macarte SO as
to make reins, and throws himself into
the saddle. Streaks looks as if ne meant
mischief, and the by-standers climb up
on the corral to be out of harms way.
Sometimes a mounted man is at hand
to "haze" the broncho and keep him
from running through a wire-fence or
smashing into wagon. Tex reaches
over and raises the blind, and then the
fun begins. StrealIs stands still for a
moment, and then makes a mad plunge
in the air and lands on his stiffened fore
legs, with his nose almost on the ground.
Tex has balanced himself and returns
the compliment with a touch of the
spur. Streaks makes a succession of
plunges, changing ends at every jump,
and striking the ground like a street.
PAYERS hammer. He is evidently a
plumb son of gun" for he pitches in
circle, which is far harder for the rider
than if he pitched straight ahead.
The boys shout encouragingly: "Sit
him deep, Text" California him."
Hang and rattle!p set him afire!"
Look for prickly pear to light on"
~Mind that prairie-dog town." Tex plies
spur and cuerdo. shouting "I-ic-a-a." a