The Press., 1897-10-28
THE BUCK JUMPER.
THEIR PECULIAR TRAIT IS NATURAL
 AND NOT ACQUIRED.

The Movements by Which They DislOOatO Would Be Rider-TriOks of the Raiser Who Has a Colt to seII-ROugh Riders of Different Countries.
 "How does it feel to ride buck hmperP"
 Many years ago we asked this ques- lion of a we'll known rough rider on first meeting him.
 You'll be surprised when you try," was the reply. "The smash of his hoofs Dn the ground is what you'll notice principally. It comes like pistol shot, and it's enough to make your jaws crack. Another thing is that his head goes out of sight altogether, between his fore legs. But the real job is when he goes in for side work and tries to catch his tail like young dog. Even if you stick to him then, you're lucky if he doesn't work the saddle over his head.
 You don't mean without breaking the girths?'' we exclaimed.
 Certainly" he replied. Ask any man who has broken wild horses whether a bad one can't jump out of the saddle If you can sit him till the third buck, you are supposed to be able to sit him, but let me say that you don't always get to the third. ''
 As we have sat (and also been thrown) by buck jumpers since then we can ln- authority on the subject. To say one is surprised is mild term to employ. On our first attempt our chief astonishment was at the infnitesimal time it took to reach the ground after the horse began to Ego to work ''
 Many who know anything of riding in this (so called) horse loving nation of ours will think they have ridden a "buck'' often and require no informa- tion on the subject. Be assured, how ever, reader, that it is an exceedingly rare thing. We have known men who have broken horses on colonial cattle stations for 20 years and have never seen a real buck jumper.
 A reason for this is the fact. which all do not know, that only horses of certain strains can "buck." " A vicious horse may rear and fall back on his rider, or he may roll on the ground and proceed to devour him-and these hab- it's are no doubt unpleasant and not to be recommended Gin child's pony, for instance), but if he hasn' s got the right breed he will never ''buck.
 One of the innumerable popular de- lusions about horses is that buck jump CTS which are exhibited in public, like Buffalo Bills, for instance, have re- ceived careful training in the art. Any one who has broken horses will know that in their wild state they require nc instruction whatever in this direction. The whole art of breaking consists in teaching them not to "buck. This is why our colonies supply the buck jump srs of the world. Time there is money, and hands cannot long be spared for breaking. The 2-year old is driven into the yard (having possibly never seen g man before), roped up, cast, and while he is on the ground a saddle and bridle are worked on to him. A rough rider is put up, he drives the spurs well home, and there you have an inveterate buck jumper for life.
 Put yourself in the horse's place, anC you will hardly wonder at it. He is by nature morbidly nervous, and man is { thing almost unknown till now. Int horrid black object on his back is tC him the foul fend incarnate, and the first step i'll breaking he supposes to bt the final dissolution of the universe.
 In Australia it Used to be no uncom mon thing that man who had a col to sell got him broken in two hours be fore the sale. The whole process cos just 10 shillings
 The rough rider was hoisted up, anC the colt went through his repertoire O contortions. being occasionally dashed from behind with stock whip to in sure all traces of vice being thoroughly eradicated. By the time of the sale h' was naturally so exhausted that all at tempts at playing up'' were (for thu time being, of course) out of the ques tion. The mark of the saddle was point ed out as proof positive that he coulC be ridden, and he changed hands, guar anteed thoroughly quiet and broken t. saddle.
 Unless he was first class rider thu experience of the buyer on mountinl him next day would be both unexpect ed and exhilarating.
 Who are the best riders in the world . The Australians say they are, and the, are supported by most competent judges South Americans claim to be as good and they are certainly good riders, bu not so scientific. They are satisfied they can stick on and even resort t. putting the spurs between the girths flo foothoId. Australians would SCOTT such means. If good riders, they vii sit correctly even under the most diff cult circumstances.
 Can buck jumping be cured? It can not, or rather we should modify thi : statement by saying that it can. It can not because buck jumping isan ingraine vice, the result of fear, and. once learned is never forgotten. It can, like all othe vices, be subSued by steady work an careful handling, but reoollect that once these are left off, it may return At all events such reformed" sni nal can never be ridden by lady, Chambers Journal
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