The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1894-06-28
A MEXICAN RODEO.
An Annual Cattle Roundup in
Southern California.
It Lasts For Weeks and Ends
With a F'andango.

pSNAA
in the distinctly Mexican settlements
OF Southern California, but, of course,
on not 80 grand a scale as tn the prim-
tive days when the ranches were much
more extensive than they are now.
The rodeo is held in the spring of
the year for the purpose of branding
and claiming the calves of the season,
selecting beef cattle for the market and
that each neighboring rancher may
select his own and drive them home.
Each rancher has hero, or "estate
mark" commonly called "brand."
This branding was prescribed by
the Spanish government when the
country was settled. Each succeeding
settler adopted form for brand,
which was recognized by the govern
ment, and was handed down from sire
to son, something on the style of pat
ents of nobility in Europe. These
brands are usually in the shape of the
initials of the ranchers name, and a
record of this hierro is kept by the
Jueces del Campo Judge of the
Plains). These officials in those days,
decided all disputes about the owner
ship of cattle. called the time of the
rodeos and when cattle were sold at
public auction he officiated as
auctioneer.
The rodeo usually lasts week,
sometimes longer. 1t begins at a
stated ranch and is continued through
out that cattle district until each ranch
has had its rodeo--the word properly
meaning "the place where cattle are
gathered. :" 1t is something on the
style of a progressive euchre party in
its nomadic rounds. For example, the
'Jueces del Campo" decides that the
rodeo shall begin at the ranch of Senior
Avila, and then he designates each
succeeding ranch IN the district, end
ing with that of Senor Arrillaga, where
the final fandango takes place.
Each ranch has q corral, located on
plain, from 100 to 200 feet square,
formed by driving timbersin the earth
standing closely together, leaving
them six or eight feet in height, just
beyond the jumping powers of the
cattle. In less wooded sections, like
the San Juan Valley, the corral is
formed by stones, covered by cactus
brush ; some are adobe walls, sur
mounted with fence of cattle-heads,
retaining the horns, set upright, one
upon another, forming a veritable bull
wark. The vanqueros, who have been
out herding the cattle, drive them to
the corral, where they enter gate at
one corner, and when all have passed
in the gate is closed, leaving only
small opening for one to pass out at a
time. In order to induce the cattle
to enter one of them is lassoed and
tied to stake in the center of the cor
raj, as if he were to be offered up as q
sacrifice. In short time he begins to
paw and below, and the herd rush in
to see what Is the matter.
When grown cattle are to be branded,
they must first be lassooed. They are
stampeded; the herdsmen start in full
chase, yelling as if chasing Indians.
One of them throws the lasso over the
horns, others at the feet, and at sig
nal cry each stops his horse short,
bracing himself backward, and in
moment the loop becomes taut and the
animal is ensnared. If either misses
his aim he is the subject of ridicule.
The horses are specially trained to
stand firm on their hindmost feet,
when the rider presses the flank with
his legs, which he does at the moment
of throwing the loop. This firm stand
of the horse brings the bovine up with
a short turn and sometimes throws
him head over heels, or heels over
head The horses flanks are protected
from the cattle by leathern armor.
The herdsmen have thick wooden stir
rups and leathern armor for the legs.
The lasso is made firm to a ring in the
saddle girth and after having thrown
it to the rider has only to keep his
seat and hold on to the pommel of the
side, which is made very high for that
purpose-th the horse does not rest.
After each vanquero has "weeded"
out his cattle they are driven to that
particular ranch, and on the morrow
the same ceremony is gone through