New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-16
THE TEXAS PONY AT HOME
HORSE RANCHES AND THEIR MANAGE
MENT
T. HALF WILD
METHODS OF BREAKING THE

have recognized this fact and there are
hundreds OF such horses roaming In herds over the
hills and plains OF the Lone Star State. 1hey
bring good prices to the horse dealers. though
the Texas pony can be bought. when well
broken to the buggy or wagon. for $50. and ne VIII
keep up with the biggest of his relatives ana
pluckily do his share of work without tagging or
looking droopy.
The horse ranches are conducted much aiter inc
fashion of the cattle ranches. though the horses
herded carefully. the cattle not being
herded all. The colts are branded when at
tender age are the young calves. ana the same
is exercised that the brands are not inter
fered with. The hired to break the colts on
the horse ranches paid s. a head. These two
year-olds are very wild. and do not appear to he
a comfortable mount when the breaker hrst
essays to bride them. Besides. they are thor
oughly frightened and buck" and pitch with so
much vigor and determination to unseat the rider
that 1T requires man of considerable nerve and
staying-power TO remain on their backs, even for
a brief space OF time. These colts are termed
broken" when II be stated that they have
been ridden twice but the number OF
yards miles that ride embraced. the number OF
times the rider had been pitched off during that
excursion. and had to make a fresh mount and
start. the number of unsuccessful efforts to
put bride the creature and place the saddle
on him. are not dwelt upon. The horse-breaker
also bear testimony to the fact that the
Texas horse occasionally knows how to use his
teeth to advantage. and has n tenacious grip OF
anything he SEXES with them
The horse-brea is always welcome company at
the sheep camps and cattle ranches. He can always
tell the peculiar characteristics OF a certain brand
Of mares his listeners OF the thickness
that can be depended upon in some other brand OF
horses. and give the distinguishing traits OF the
animals raised such such ranch. etc His
society is invaluable to those about to invest in
horses needed for certain work, or who are thinking
OF buying good cow ponies.
4 large bunch" OF horses grazing over the green
| cxparse OF a wide plateau s gooily sight; their
coats lustrous shining in the bright sunlight. their
limbs free OF movement with the grace OF Wild un-
trammelled nature. Their limbs have never ye; been
laugh, TO obey mans dctatlon. have never been
strained beneath overheavy burden or melted to
unwholesome speed by the sting OF the spur Their
heads have never felt the yoke Of the headsta nor
their mouths the wrench OF the bit. Note the ex-
qusite ~ that mares neck "a she looks
up startled at the sound Of wheels Beyond her Is
a beautiful animal OF fine proportions. looking at us
with head ercct. his noble form clearly outlined
against the horizon h stands at little distance
from the others. Half dozen risky young colts
have lc'; their mothers SIDES and are having a
race. Apparently that Isolated cedar is the recog
n.zc1 starting point. Away they 20. their elders
looking on In stlii indus cnce OF their frolicsome
ways Gradually all ~ the herd stop grazing and
look lnqu.rngiy at the approaching vehicle. II is
Judged safest 10 put more distance between them
and the unknown object ami with one accord they
an turn away AMI ro, OF in the opposite direction
going with Moderate speed. II more FOR the pleas
are Of movement than for tho realized need OF re-
treat. Again. u IA sight worth seeing 10 watch
lhem come down n rocky hillside to water on hot
m.lsummer day There Is a clatter OF hoofs and
iuri" ~ bells as the whole troop rush down the
steep decline. the leaders not stopping until they
cool their hot Hanks halfway across the stream
~ ,ouns colts pranclng and kicking up their heels
fhe mothers following scla;ely Then the jingle
anse ~ The bell, ceases the laundering hoofs are
no.s'css FOR a space the herd stand quiet drink
ing their M.
The Western ranchman puts bel around his
horses neck a. the people Of the East place bells
about the uccks - their cattle aid In their de-
t.ctlon when at arge occasionally horse shows
cunning determination TO ouiwi, this precantion
- his master The stable u the Western horse
/ often has raficrs but the outspread limbs Of
trees ceiling but the vault Of heaven no floor
Ing hut The sol. The ranchman never has To put
food in his horses mango. and when he wants to
him d. must 80 forth on the range and seek him
in unnumbcred stalls To AID him In finding his
siccd quickly he hobbies him and puts a bell
about his neck. The intelligent animal sometimes
plays a trick On his master. He gets behind some
thick growing cump % cedar or mesquite ami stands
Bt4. absolutely uofon.'--. 50 That his bell WIZ not
him listens inicntly for the bell He is sure he
knows the sound 81 that horses bell from dozen
other. ~ hears nothing Going fHrthcr ne ptuses
f1 listen again. the1. hearing not the slghtest
sound 90 Indicate the vicinity ~ any breathing
creature" the owner ~ that very inienigent amman
proceeds o. travel much further than he had an,
ticlpaicl, wondering how that precious horse could
have strayed FAR. al hobh.'d rs h. Is. All the
While that precious horse Is On comfortable hiding
~ II h., yli.lr ~ do,iht enjoying the Joke and the
thought Of the long journey ~ likSonr 'dsh ne
toned TO the hobbies. can get over the ground
rapidly without Inconvenience They rai,r the mob
hc1 legs nigh In air and Jump about Ike kahga-
roOe making 4 peculiar picture as they leap from
! freq
sfokcd out 10 craze especially II their riders de-
air. to get possession of them At stated hour
sionay The animals get wound uG IN th ,G,n long
ropes and are cAoked to death. Nos, r',V" XIX
even I'm dlrtrlcs where corn Is cNtOrtonhtely hlen
| in price keep one OF two horses fed ON corn. To
attach them to the ranch When cowD2ys go r,r y,
packs or are drvcn along with the OUTFIT that ther
,rtnd o"mn,a are turneI loose wherever they may
| chance To- be- ana are looked up auerward Al me
owners .esurc a task not as difficult as would at
Information resa rdng he whereabouts Of any AMI
/ ranchman or cowboy can note In flash the Drahd
OF horse or cow he happens To- PAS c,rrvconh
AMI knows not the luxury OF a sooi dressing or
his appearance not unkempt rms IS pr1p3apy ~
cause he changes his quarters so OFTEN lie w ,
es To- whether he was warm to drink or too tired
| 10 eat when, he comes to water ne enjoys
with cheerful philosophy worthy Of imitation II
he chances to take In few thorns WIN hs ms %,
either on his mind or his Digestion In fact one has
| never heard the appetite and digestion OF Texas
! pony called In question lie never knows what IL Is
10 have hypodermlc doses Of foreign matter Injected
into his veins at critical moments Ike his panperel
Eastern brother stalled in luxury ana fed on the ray
az the land He never has to have potions OF liquid
medicine poured down his throat IKE his other
mules Affections not being allevatcd by socitous
| rubbing with a rail, or being run up and down
| sandy road on A cold winters night with a yelpng
| group OF haf-grown and full grown darkles at MS
| heels. A.. .,a.,.
II is said that some OF the qualities OF the panta-
tIou mule are conspicuous In the IeNas pony
namely tenacity Of purpose and certain indescrlD.
| oble muscular power. enabling him to hump up
his insignificant person in a variety or unsuspected
and unexpected ways, ways generally successful ~
Riding him Of unwshcd-for burdens. II Is dincuit
| FOR the rider regulate his movements by any pre-
conceived rules for horseback exercise learned IN