The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-03

iessional horse-breaker II is simplicity
.,sei' The phrase broken implies that
tne breaker has saddled and ridden the
bronco three times. The theory Is. that
AFTER bronco has been coerced upon
three successive days into letting a rider
stay on his back. any rider may there
after ride the beast. OF course, that
means any Rocky mountain rider
Inc western Coloradoan performs mar
wells with broncos scarcely better broken
than this indicates An eastern hunter
was accompanied by a guide riding
Iresnly-Droken bronco, and that half
wild creature was made to carry him
over miles Of the toughest imaginable
mountain wilderness. After the newly
broken bronco was relieved OF his mas
Ter weight. and the guide had trans
Ierred himself TO another horse. that
uoche little beast patiently followed the
party for miles over the mountain
Inc bronco q Iickly learns TO follow
ana TO stand. The patience with which
ne does the latter seems inexplicable
until one has learned the secret of his
training. When hunters go after the
grlzzly bear or elk, they commonly ride
on horseback up TO the point on the
mountain side where the evergreens be-
gin. Here they leave their broncos I'M
hitched sure Of finding them on their re-
turn, six or eight hours later. This Is
done with horses only a few months bro
ken. 1t Is sometimes safer with them
than with older beasts, for the latter
have often been trained 10 go straight
home when turned loose
The secret of the bronco's docility I'm
standing where he is left lies in the fact
that he has been broken 10 a bit with a
spade" Now the spade is broad
al MI IN,
of the bit that when the curb rein is
drawn the spade comes hard against the
roof Of the bronco's mouth. The rider
teaches the bronco the uses Of the spade
In this fashion. Having dismounted, the
breaker throws the curb rein over the
bronco's head so that the rein lies part
ly on the ground. Then the breaker
waits until the bronco moves. The move
ment is usually sudden and impetuous.
The breaker with equal suddenness pla-
ces his foot hard upon the dragging end
Of the rein, and the spade is driven into
the roof OF the bronco's mouth. 1t is
a stubborn beast that does not stop short
when ne feels the spade.
This discipline is repeated again and
again until the beast learns that 10
move while the rein hangs over his
head and trails on the ground is 10 stir
the spade into activity. When the break
or IS sure ludL the biVllNV mas A~ttA itN' 'ii'
lesson It is pretty safe TO turn the beast
loose with the rein over his head. Should
the bronco attempt TO leave the place
where he is left, he must sooner or later
tread on the dragging rein and drive the
spade upward into the roof OF his mouth
When left to himself. therefore, he is
extremely careful how he moves about,
and he seldom attempts 10 trot away,
lest he incur the cruel retrbuuon Of the
spade.
The bronco as broken 20 the pack
saddle is a most intelligent creature.
II there be a party of two or more,
accompanied by pack horse, at least one
rides behind him, so rs TO watch his
movements. The pack horse, as rule,
patiently follows his leader. scramblinS
up the rough mountain sides, and care
fully picking his way through difficult
places IL the pack horse hesitates at
an unusually large fallen tree the man
behind gives him an admonitory stroke,
and over he goes. If there be two such
trees near together the pack horse cal
culates 10 a nicely how he shall best land
beyond the one in order TO take the 9TH
or 10 best advantage. Thus he goes all
day. hating when his leader halts,
steadfast, obedient, almost tirelesss do
ing his work II need be on scant food, too
busy to exhibit the vicious traits with
which the tenderfOot imagination has in
vested him. lie comes Of an ancestry
accustomed 10 short fare, and bred to
hardness, from the fact that the weak
lings of the race have persisted. The
consequence is that the bronco is tough
strong for his size, enduring more than
better-bred horses and surprisingly eX-
empt from the diseases Of pampered
equine civilization. He has the same
right to his vices that the neat house
wife has to her little acerbiues OF temper;
they are the licensed faiiings Of rare
and conscious virtue.