The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-13
Wevler'. Burking Ponies

4 shipment Of Texas horses for tho use
OF the Spanish cavalry IN Cuba LETT here
Saturday en- route 10 Havana. There will
be great fun in cuba the day the Spanish
cavalry mount those horses and prepare
to take the field for their country's
cause. The unbroke Texas horse such
as those which have been purchased by
the Spanish government. is horse unto
himself and different from any other Of
his tribe lie can. when in n rebcllious
mood. climb higher into the air and come
down harder. sitter and with more diff
forent Kinds OF a jolt 10 the inexperienced
rider on his back than any other animal
on the face Of the earth. To maintain a
perfect connection with him requires a
long acquaintance with and thorough
knowledge of his aerial gymnastics. which
are AZ remarkable as they are diversified.
together with the ability. acquired only
after much practice and many bruises.
10 keep pace with his contortions
a Texas horse that never had n rore
on him but once IN his wild and roaming
career, and that when a fantastic brand
was scared into his right hin. is "a
bucker both by nature and inclination.
Some are known as "sun buckers." and
they stand a. the head Of the class. the
envy Of the rest Of the herd. These ami
mails can elevate themselves n sufficient
distance above the ground 10 enable them
20 flash their stOmachs I'm the face Of
the sun. reverse enos in an atmospheric
waltz and then. with hOofs altogether
like a bunch Of grapes hit the bosom
Of mother earth and produce shock
which is occasionally cQualled by the ex-
plosion cf q kog Of giant powder.
This Is the "sun huckor's'' method Of
parting with his rider. and II is general
results 10 the latter. but there are other
Texas horses which have a different way
Of saying an rcvoir. They merely leap
into the air. stiff and NJ full length. and
while az the summit Of their fight bring
their hcsls and heads together after the
fashion OF closing iack-knife and shake
themselves with the nervous force Of n
wet dog shedding water. This perform
ance. which is. invariably executed be-
tween earth and sky IS very effective,
and many n promising young fellow from
the effete East ambitious to become n
cowboy. has been plunged so deep into
the blossoming prairie that the task Of
eXcavating q grave was spared his mourn
ing comrades.
As we have before remarked. there is
going 10 be- q great deal ~ fun IN Cuba
when the herd from Texas IS landed in
Havana The horses. being native-horn
Americans. svmpathize with the insur-
gents and can be depended upon 10 enter
tain the troopers OF Spain with a star
performance. and we violate no confd-
ence I'm saving that before these intelli-
gent animals have exhausted their re-
pertore the flower Of Alfonso's cavalry
Will be scattered over broad eNpanse Of
territory and there will be an urgent de
msnd for additional hospital accommo-
dations. The field on which the Texan
horses operate Will look as though hostile
armies had engaged In fierce contention.
The dead and wounded will lie I'm heaps.
and for miles the ground will be strown
with hats. boots carbines. swords pistols.
false teeth. epaulettes. canteens. field
glasses and garlic. But this is not an.
From the surrounding hnltops the de-
lighted followers OF Maceo will shout:
CUBA librc. Viva cahallo do TeXa."
Once the connection IS made between
the Spanish trooper and the Texas horse
Cuban independence IS assured and the
star Of a new republic viii blaze in the
ornament OF nations-New Orleans
states.