The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-07
so DAYS IN THE SADDLE.
Cowboys Ride 2,40o Miles-Rorses
Live on Grass and Are Unshod.

~~ANo OA NA4 6o1 anu <2EO OASAOAs
Chicago, Sept. 7.-ssNo horses in the
world excel the range horses of our
western states for military purposes,
and 1 think the trip just finished by
my cowboy friends here proves my as
The foregoing remark was made by
Dr. William A Bruett, special commits
sioner of the bureau of animal indus
tr-' OF the department of agriculture.
He was at his home in this city, and
with him were two stalwart. sun
Drowned young men, William and Bert
Gabriel.
These young men," continued Mr..
Bruett. have just demonstrated that the
bronchos and range horses of our plains
can cover distance of 2.40O miles in 80
days and sub sist on grass and water
along the route, without grain, and,
more important still from a military
point of view, without being shod.
can say without fear of contradiction
that no other horses in the world could
have made the trip under those condi-
tions.
"The route, beginning at Sheridan,
Wyo., and ending at Galena, this state,
covered all kinds of country, turf, sand,
rock, clay, mud. When they entered
on the last 100 miles of the journey the
horses were in as good condition in
every way as when they started from
Wyoming, but from Dubuque to Wa
terloo. Iowa, the road along the Mis-
SiSSippi river was either over Jagged
rocks or through deep mud. The heels
and frogs of the horses feet were so
badly bruised that, although they could
have completed the distance to Chicago,
L telegraphed the men to let the noble
little animals stop at Galena. Had the
horses been shod at Sioux City, Iowa,
as 1 telegraphed, knowing the roads
over which they would have to travel
to Chicago, the horses would have
reached here in first class condition
Saturday. The telegram failed to
reach the men and they brought the
horses through under my original in
StructiOnS.''
What were the instructions?
To begin with, the department of
agriculture some time ago determined
TO create, if possible, foreign demand
for our native western horses. To do
this it was first necessary to prove the
merit OF these horses, particularly for
cavalry and military use, as nearly all I
foreign countries are now buying large
numbers of horses for military pur-
poses. 1t was urged against the native
American horses that they were lack
ing in size and endurance for that
work. To answer this objection it was
decide to have horses of the two types
known as bronchos and rangers make
a trip in company from Wyoming ter
ritory to Chicago, distance of $500
miles.
ITO ride these horses we happened to
have just the men, in the local bureau
at the stockyards of the department of
agriculture, two brothers named Will
liam and Albert Gabriel. They had been
cowboys for years, and were thorough
II
country They were willing to accept
the task, fully realizing it's hardships,
and on June 5, they started for Chicago.
Their instructions from the department
of agriculture were to proceed to Sher-
idan, WyO., select from a ranch two
horses which had never been bridled or
saddled and bring them toChicoga with
out feeding them any grain so long as
is was possible for the horses to find
grazing, making the trip quickly as
possible without injuring the horses"
Il H.
horses?' DR.. Bruett was asked
mot entirely, because 1 wanted them
to finish at Chicago" he replied But
that is my only regret. AS a test of
horses, I am sure the department of
agriculture will be more than satisfied
with the result as it proves the ami
NAL is all that has been claimed. AS I
said before, no other horses in the
world could have made such a trip un-
der the conditions. / believe that it will |
change the opinions of the agents of |
foreign governments who have felt |
that our range horses were too light for |
purposes. / intend to take
some of the buyers of horses for export !
down to Galena and let them see the |
horses just as they are after their un-
journey.
1T is a fact not known as it should |
be that the western range horses has in |
his veins the blood of thoroughbred and |
standard bred Percherons, Clydesdales, |
Ham bletonians, and other famous |
strains SCaluOnS CneSe classes nave |
been sent to the ranches, and the result |
is an increase in the size and quality |
of the horse. The range horses, as they |
are called in distinction from bronchos, |
range in weight from $50 to 1850 |
pounds. The bronchos, which are of |
Spanish origin, and have no improved |
blood in them, weigh from $50 to 900 |
pounds. The trip just made, however, |
shows that the broncho is equal in |
to the larger horse, and is a |
wonderful weight-carrier, but is not as |
pretty as the range horse. The demand |
abroad for our western horses is grow !
ing. and I believe it will rapidly in |
crease.
"One of the important features pos |
seSsed by the range horse is small, hard |
hoofs, which will stand the wear of |
paved streets or rough country. The !
range horses is more intelligent, am I
tractable, and enduring than |
those grown by breeders and farmers |
in the middle and eastern states. In |
1898 only 500 horses were sold in Chicago |
for export. This year the number will |
exceed 5000 or 80 per cent of the to- |
tai number disposed of in this market. |
The French army has taken a great |
many. We believe the performance of |
the two horses which just came from
Wyoming will influence the German |
and English army agents and export |
ers for domestic purposes to try our
western horses"