Arizona weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1885-1903, 1900-03-28
USE OF THE LASSO.
Some Points Tat Are Observed by
the Cowboys.
Different Methods of American and
Mexican Herdsmen--An Indis-
pensnbIe Implement In the
Stock Business.

a lasso is about 10 feet long = sell
dom exceeding 50 feet-and out of that
inst be deducted the amount taken in
mahing the moose and the part which is
retained in the hand. Thus ii is seen
that the average cast is about % or 30
feet, and the roper who can throw any
where near 50 feet with accuracy Is
rarity. In California they sometimes
use a rope as long as 65 feet, but there
they seem to have habit of throwing
an enormously long loop-much larger
than is really necessary. In actual
work, however, it will be found that a
mans hand is not large enough to
properly hold much more than 40 feet
of rope when eoiled ready to throw.
The lasso is a creation of a certain en-
vironment and need. It's 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 the branches
and bushes The finest lassos are of
rawhide, cut into thin strips, and braid
ed, six-ply, into rope of from three
They are quite expensive, a good 40
foot rope costing about 81. On this ac-
count, of late years, hard-twisted grass
rope is used; but the rawhide rope is
the best in wind. as it is heavier, and
when filled with oil il is not affected by
wet weather. A braided rope, also, has
less tendency to kink than a twisted
rope. Cowboys have a mixture of lard
and beeswax with which they dress
their hemp or linen ropes, TO keep out
the dampness, and also to prevent them
from getting too dry. The most cele-
brated of the genuine ''riatas" are
made in Chicago, which produces an
article 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, moose
swinging around above the head from
right to left, by a rotating movement.
Some ''ropers" throw a small loop, hard
and fast, almost on 4 level; others,
larger, lazier kind, which nevertheless
arrives" For myself, 1 rather favor
the small loop thrown hard, as it seems
the best all-around style, most effective
against the wind or other adverse con-
ditions.
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 by
weight of rope, wind, velocity of swing,
etc. judgement comes instinctively
with practice. The rest of the rope is
held coiled in the other hand and re-
leased as fast as desired, two or three
coils being retained.
To ''snub" the rope (wind it about
the pommel after casting) in the in
stand of time allowed is a trick quite as
difficult as throwing properly. The
MeXicans, with their large-diameter
pommels, have to take only one turn;
the American pommels, being smaller,
require two. The pommel often
smokes from the friction created, and
is frequently deeply grooved and al
most burned by the rope. The imper-
tant 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 mas
ter.
The second method Of throwing is
eXactlythe reverse, /. e., the moose is
swung from the left to the right above
the head before the release. This is
called the California throw" and pos
sibly gives a greater range. At any
rate, one or two of the longest throwers
I know use it. and I find it so myself.
1t may be only a personal result. Any
good roper can throw either way.
The third cast 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 behind one and swapping it for
ward by an underhand motion.
The lasso's greatest effectiveness as
Il weapon is when the wielder is mount
ed. When both adversaries are afoot
its value is very slight. With cattle or
horses it is an entirely different thing.
The whole essence of the matter is to
tighten the moose around an opponent
with jerk sufficient TO dismount him
or take him off his feet. To that end
you may ride past him swiftly, or, if
pursuing him, stop your horse sudden
ly. Or, if he is stationary, and you cam
not ride past him, you can wheel your
horse and retire after a successful cast.
In lassoing a man, if done skillfully,
the instant of time is too brief for him
either TO throw off the tightening moose
or cut it. And it is one of the most de-
ceptive things TO attempt to dodge
Denver Republican,
Discerning Youth.
The cleverest daughter recently