The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-28
BILLl HAQTS -
CAMPFIRE STORIES -
Question: BOX * MtMl
AMERICAN BOVS\ NSpI

hunt wild horse, remember the only
way to capture one is to run it down
in relays, and keep il on the plains,
away from the hills.
Question Box-No. 12.
| I have been asked all sorts of ques-
tons about horses. particularly COW
ponies. First, let me say right here.
/ boys. that the COW pony is as wise
and faithful an animal as ever be-
| friended man.
Bronco busting I have described as
an exhibition. In ranch life a cowboy
will occasionally have to handle bad
horse. a horse which is being broken
or has just been broken is called a
"bronc." For range work cowboys
naturally prefer good horses. but there
are many splendid "broncs'' that like
to pitch and buck little bit every
day. even after they have been broken.
Many of you boys seem to think that
all 'broncs" are outlaws" This is far
from the truth. An outlaw" is just
plain bad horse. He is never tanned
or "gentled." Therefore, he is no good
for COW work on a ranch, but many
outlaw" owners keep them for show
purposes.
I have also explained to you boys
what cutting out" means. Each COW
pony used in this dangerous occupa-
| ton must be just as wise and alert as
his rider. OF course these COW ponies
are invaluable. They understand 60
ing into the herd of cattle, and after
their rider has selected the animal
they know it by instinct. Very rarely
do they miss getting their animal out
of the herd. In fact, 1 have seen COW
ponies that could cut out a steer at a
roundup without the rider doing much
of anything. Punchers call this feat
cutting without a Bride" In1umer-
able times a cowboys life has been
saved by the alertness and uncanny
wisdom of his pony in working cattle.
OF course, these wonderful ponies are
the result of life training in cattle
their own horse sense in a close pinch.
Where the training of a COW pony
comes in is when a puncher can put
/ his reins down and the pony will stand
have to get off his horse several times,
and there isn't usually anything
around that is strong enough to tie a
horse to. Therefore it is necessary
that a puncher train his mount to
stand quietly after he has dismounted
and stepped on the reins- "Afoot" is
about the worst thing that can happen
to a cowboy, so it be hooves him to
make sure of his pony when he has to
get down on the ground. He sure
would hate TO have to walk back
In the roundup a cowboy usually has
to run his pony pretty hard. but if he
is line riding" or just going along,
rider and mount take it easy.
in ranch work every cowboy is as
signed a string of horses, usually
anywhere from six to fifteen mounts
He takes all care of these horses. The
number of horses used is according to
the Kind of work he is doing. II he is
"Iine-riding." which in the old days
meant riding along an imaginary line
and keeping the cattle within those
bounds, he needs fewer mounts than
he would If he were working with
wa gon outfit. The reason for so many
horses to each cowboy is because the
work is hard, and horse is not rid
den or worked more than two or three
times a week.
Remember that old saying that
told you about: Front of the cinch
belongs to us, and the back is yours"
That is the rule on a ranch. A cow
puncher who ever treats his horse
with cruelty is scorned and despiseG
by real cowmap, and if he is caught
at it he gets his walking papers A
real cowboy loves his pet horse like a
brother and he treats all horses with
kindness.
There is a little Mexican cowboy in
my outfit who is the best horsebreak-
er have ever known. He can gen
tie" the worst horse, and the secret
is kindness and comradeship.