Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-11-19
CHASING THE MUSTANG.
How the Wild Horse OF the Prairies ]
Captured by Ranchmen.

captured by k1nChmens
It is when the wild horse wanders
far enough from the Mexican border
to be within reach that the keenest
pleasure comes to the ranchmen.
The news that herd Of mustangs is
in the neighborhood never fails to
arouse an overwhelming enthusiasm,
and hunting parties are organized at
once.
The hunters, or mustangers, ''as
they are called, when they hear of the
approach Of a herd of wild horses,
make their start with the intention
of remaining away for days and weeks
II necessary. Their work also In
cludes the building of corral in some
locality near where the herd is dis
covered. Taking provision wagon
and tents the hunting party divides
the day into three watches" of eight
hours each. One party sleeps. one
drives the wagon, and one ''walks"
the mustangs, taking turns in the
different tasks
Crawling slowly over the prairie the
hunters located the herd in companies
of from twenty-five to 100 under
sized but sturdy animals. The ponies
once discovered, the hunters prepare
for action. The first man leaves the
wagon and takes the trail on foot
He makes no attempt at overtaking
the wild equines but steadily and
patiently walks after them for eight
hours, when he is relieved. All the
time the follower keeps the horses on
the move and as much as possible
away from water-courses. In the
scantily watersd regions this is not
difficult.
The theory of the hunt is to keep
the ponies going night and day with
out food or water until they are ex-
hausted. So far as possible they are
directed in circle about the corral.
which is intended for the final goal.
At the start the gay and festive
mustang kicks up his joyous heels and
losses shaggy name and tail in con-
tempt for the slow and plodding pur-
surer. The solitary hunter walks on
and on, and at last the horses realize
that the steadily marching plodder is
not to be shaken of, and become less
and less frisky. Then they settle to
a walk. and soon are also plodding
along over the prairie.
When the first ''watch" is finished
the wagon drives up and another Of
the hunters begins his tramp. At its
close number three starts in, and so
the day and night wears away. An
other day and night repeat the pro-
gram and the chase continues with
out intermission or rest until, with
out having food or water since the
hunt began, except for the snatches
seized as they walk, the starved and
weary mustangs totter along almost
as tame as house dogs. When their
gay and frivolous nature has been sap
ped their dropping heads are turned
towards the corral. Soon, as unre-
sisting as sheep they are driven in.
With light covering Of snow the
task is most quickly accomplished, as
starvation's pangs come more quickly.
Another method is to run wild
horse down, but only an Indian can
do this. as it requires the ability to
run a hundred miles or more without
rest or refreshment. This no white
'smustanger" can do. The Indian
rides towards herd, ''cuts out" or
selects his choice, and chases 1T up
hill and down, over hill and stream,
among rocks or underbrush, as relent-
less as fate. When his own horse is
tired out he tickets him and takes
the chase on foot. He carries no
weapons and wears the lightest posi-
Bile clothing. When the wild horse
is wearied out it is taken prisoner
easily, having been worsted in trial
of mere brute strength. The method,
too. is only practicable il winter,
with snow on the ground, in order
that the trail may be easily followed
if the horse gets out Of sight. Usu-
ally the animal will be run down IN
the first seyenty-five miles, but $50
miles is sure to exhaust his strength.
There is still another plan which
a single hunter can follow. 1t is
called 'creasing," and can succeed
only when a crack shot pursues it.
Selecting favorite watering-placeo of
the herd, the ''mustanger" puts him.
self in ambush, with rifle ready,
awaiting the coming Of the horses.
At length the trampling Of impatient
hoofs is heard. and following the lead
of a stalwart brute, the mustangs
gather about the refreshing pool to
quench their thirst.
Now is the hunters chance, and |
making selection of some finely pro-
portioned animal, the rife comes to |
the shoulder, and taking careful aim
at the curved necks that bend over
the water-course, ''bang" goes the
weapon. and the pony is sprawling
and kicking in the mud, while its
companions 60 skurrying away, as on
wings Of wind, across the plain.
'Creasing" consists in striking
accurately and exactly the spinal
column of the horse. and requires not
only an exact knowledge of anatomy
but unerring skill with the rifle II
the bullett strikes too low the spine
is broken and the pony is killed, if
t0o high only the skin is cut and the