The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-03-18
HUNTING WILD HORSES.
Different Ways of Capturing the Pony OF
the Plains.

the Plains.
With the rapid advance of civiliza-
tion during the past fifty years the wild
horse has either been killed. captured
or driven back into old Mexico, until
now band of mustangs is almost as
much rarity as herd of buffalo.
A few bands still roam the Staked
plains in Texas and they are now and
then captured by hunters who call
themselves ''mustangers. There are
several modes of capture. Ifthe hunt
ers are ambitious and want to make
wholesale haul they make their pre-
parations with great care. The neces-
sites of corral. built in a locality
known to be frequented by wild
horses, a provision wagon and team
and three experienced hunters.
When all is ready the three hunters
divide the time into as many watches"
of eight hours each. One drives the
wagon, the second sleeps in the wagon,
and the third walks" the mustangs.
Walking mustangs is simple. The
theory of the hunt is to keep the wild
ponies on the walk night and day,
without food or water until they are
exhausted. As far as may be, they
are walked in a circle, so as to be near
the corral intended as the final goal of
this go-as-you-please match against
nature. The process is this.
The hunters, with their wagon, drive
in sight of the mustangs and the first
man takes their trail on foot. For
eight hours he walks after them, keep
ing them constantly on the move, and
as much as possible from feeding and
from water. This last is not so diff
cult in a land where watering-places
are exceptional.
In the beginning the foolish mustang
kicks up his joyous heels and curvets
about, tossing his name in contempt
of this solitary, slow pursuit, but as
the hours wear on and the dusty plod-
der is not to be shaken off the fugitives
become less gay. They sober down
to walk and are not so prone to light
and frivolous exercises.
At the end of eight hours the wagon
drives up and number two of the hunt.
ers begins his eight-hour walk. At it,
close number three assumes the pur
suit, and so, changing every eight
hours. the weary march keeps on. Al
that day and night the ponies are KEEP
moving. All the next day and nigh
sees the programme repeated; and thu
work continues until, without having
= rested their tired legs since the hun
began, the starved and weary mus
tangs totter along, almost as tame a
J house-dogs.
, When reduced to this condition, sap
ped of that gay. brisk nature which dis
J tinguished them at first, the hunter
t turn their dropping heads to the CORA
) and drive them in, as unresisting a
3 sheep.
< When a solitary hunter wants to car
t ture a wild horse, the favorite metho
e is creasing. The mustanger. tndin
o the watering place of the band, put
( himself in ambush. With his riff
v ready, he lies down in his cover
awaiting the coming of the ponies.
: Toward the close of the hot afternoo
i the trampling of the eager hoofs of tt
n thirsty band is heard. Led on by SON
o wise stallion, they come tumbling dow
a and bend their free, wild necks to tt
. element.
IS This is the hunters opportunit
Hastily selecting some young and wei
shoulder; for a second his practice
eve ranges the sights, and then pu
|, of smoke, "bang!'' and a mustang
g sprawling and kicking convulsively
q the mud and water.
U Before it can recover, the hunt
e runs forward and buckles a pair
W hobbies on its fore legs and nooses
lariat to its neck. In two minutes Il
pony regains consciousness and
feet, but the hobbies and the lari
make the hunters title sure.
- 'Creasing" requires skill with t
If rifle and an accurate knowledge
J. horse anatomy. The bullet is made
le Craze the spinal column well up on t
m neck. If it strikes too low, spine
j. broken and the pony is thing of t
q. past; if too high. it results in nothi
t. but wounded pony flying with frigh
in ened feet, but if placed Alright the sh
Of simply stuns for few minutes. L
re pony drops as if struck in the he
b. with maui and will remain unco
of scious about two minutes-time enou!
D. to secure it.