St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-01-20
THROWING THE LAsso.
the Various Methods Of the
Cow fsoper's Art.

An Expert Tells soaething Abo1,
the Various Methods Of the
Cow fsoper's Art.
A lasso is about 40 feet long-seldon
exceeding so feet-and out of that mus,
be deducted the amount taken in max
ing the moose and the part that is re.
| tanned in the hand. Thus it is seen that
the average cast is about 25 or 80 feet
and the roper" who can throw aIy'
where near so feet with accuracy is a
rarity. In California they sometimes
use rope as long as 65 feet. but there
they seem to have a habit of throwing
an enormously large loop-much larger
than is really necessary. In actual
work, however, il will be found that q
mans hand is not large enough prop.
erly to hold much more than 40 feet OF
rope when rolled ready to throw.
The lasso is creation of a certain
environment and need. Its place is on
the broad prairies and grazing lands
and its chief utility lies in the stock
business. 1t is almost useless in a
wooded country by reason of the OBJ
structions afforded by branches and
bushes. The finest lassos are of raw
hide, cut into thin strips and braided.
six-ply, into a rope of from three
eighths to one-half inch in diameter.
They are quite expensive, a good 4o-foot
rope costing about seven dollars. On
this account Of late years hard-twisted
grass rope is used, but the rawhide
rope is the best in the wind, as it is
heavier, and when filled with oil it i.
not affected by wet weather. A braided
rope, also. has less tendency to kink
than twisted rope. Cowboys have a
mixture of lard and beeswax with which
they dress their hemp or linen ropes tc
keep out dampness, and also to prevent
them from getting too dry. The most
celebrated of the genuine "riatas" are
made in Chicago. which produces an ar
ticle much superior to the rougher ones
turned out in Mexico.
There are three general methods OF
throwing with many minor variations
of individual habit. The rope is held in
practically the same way in every case
First, is the plain, straight cast, the
moose swinging around about the head
from right to left. by a rotating wrist
movement. Some troopers" throw q
small loop, hard and fast, almost on
level; others larger, lazier kind, which
nevertheless, "arrives." For myself, !
favor small loop thrown hard, as i,
seems the best all-round style, most eft.
fective against the wind or other ad-
verse conditions.
The aim is somewhat to the right OF
the object to be roped-say foot and
half on 25-foot throw, the exact in.
slant of release being governed b.
weight of rope, wind, velocity of swing
etc. Judgment comes instinctively with
practice. The rest of the rope is held
coiled in the other hand and released as
fast as desired, two or three coils being
retained.
To "snub" the rope (wind it about the
pommel after casting) in the instant OF
time allowed is trick quite as difficult
as throwing properly. The Mexicans
with their large diameter pommels
have to take only one turn; the Ameri.
can pommels, being smaller, require
two. The pommel often smokes from
the friction created. and is frequently
deeply grooved and almost burned by
the rope. The important part played
by the trained cow pony is obvious. He
is taught to settle back on his launches
the instant the rope begins to tighten
and in many other ways materially to
assist his master.
The second method of throwing is ex
actly the reverse-that is, the moose is
swung from the left to right above the
head before release. This is called the
California throw" and possibly gives
a little greater range. At any rate, one
or two Of the longest throwers know
use it, and find it SO myself. 1t may
be only personal result. Any good
roper" can throw either way.
The third is the corral drag" which
as its name indicates, is for use afoot
and in confined quarters. 1t consists in
trailing out the loop on the ground be.
hind one and swapping it forward by an
motion.
The lasso's greatest effectiveness as
weapon is when the wielder is mounted.
When both adversaries are afoot its
value is very slight. With cattle and
horses it is a very different thing. The
whole essence of the matter is to tight
en- the moose around an opponent with a
jerk sufficient to dismount him or take
him of his feet. To that end, you may
ride past him swiftly, or, if pursuing
him, stop your horse suddenly. Or. if |
he is stationary, and you cannot ride |
past him. you can wheel your horse and |
retire after q successful cast. In las |
soing a man, if done skilfully, the in
slant Of time is too brief for him either !!
to throw of the tightening moose or cut !.
It. And it is one of the most deceptive |
things to attempt to dodge.
1t is possible to control the moose of |
! lasso by the remainder Of the rope,
but it is dexterity which few acquire |
in years. The finest roper 1 know of, |
vincente Oropesa. champion of old |
can do this to perfection, and !.
his performance is one of the ablest in !,
that interesting exposition of plains
Oropesa is an enthusiast. |
One of the Mexicans once told me that |
one night the champion dreamed of |
new cast and at once got up and went
but scantily clad, and in half an hour
had mastered it.-Denver Republican.
Endurance Of the Moose.
While the peculiar pacing gait of a
moose will not carry him over the
ground as rapidly as the deer or carl.
,ou. his endurance far surpasses that |
# either of these animals. For short i
'purt or in very deep snow the caribou
AN easily discount the moose, but for
IN all-day's jaunt, where the course is i
airly open, the moose has no rival.
Many years ago when Sir Edmund Head !