Year: 1871

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 Those who have never visited the re gions where wild horses arc caught o1 reared have but little idea how the m taimed steed of the prairie is rendered tractable and useful. At the present day in Texas the herds of mustangs that for. merly ranged over its vast prairie have become almost extinct in the settled DOT tions, and confne themselves to the ex- treme western countries. In their place are horses mostly crossed with American stock, which are in state of semi wild ness-that is, they roam at will until certain seasons of the year, when all such as can be caught are driven in herds to huge pens constructed for the pur- pose, to be branded and marked, after which most of them are let loose to roam at will again.

 When the owner of @ portion of a herd desires to break any of his young horses, he proceeds in this wise The first movement is to lasso the horses selected, by the head and four feet, and throw him on the earth ; then kind of halter, called "bosal," is put on his head, both to serve as bridle and to take the animal by, it being much more effectual than halter or bridle in checking his frantic efforts to liberate himself. He is either tied up closely all night or staked, at the will of the owner. The next morning the sport begins.

 All horse or stock raisers have one or more vaqueros, whom they employ for the special purpose of breaking and rid ing the wild and refractory horses. These go out, followed by all the members of ho for 41 1 llas saddles and soc that there is no defect in the rigging" When they are satis- fed that all is secure they lead, or rather drag, forward the steed. He is alter nately led, dragged and whipped for ward, until he reaches the point where he is to be saddled.

 A leather strap attached to the bosal is then pulled over his eyes, and sad dle blanket is dropped gently over his back, but very seldom remains at the first trial, as he will almost invariably shake it off. After one or more trials, however, he submits to both blanket and saddle. The latter is strapped on tightly with two girths, fore and flank, strapped so tightly that one unaccus- toned to the sight would think it was intended to cut the animal in two; the rider now adjusts the stake rope into reins by tying it securely to the bosal leaving long end by which to hold on, in the event the horse should Succeed in throwing him. ..-...

 Everything is now ready for the mount. The rider adorns his heels with huge pair of spurs, stands directly facing the horse, abreast or 8 little forward of the shoulder, seizes the under part of the bosal with his left hand, pulls the horses head round near him to prevent being kicked, takes the stirrup in bis right hand, and turning it toward him, places his foot in it firmly. Grasping the pomel, he now gives the saddle shake or two, makes one or two feints at mount ing, to see how his horseship will take it, and then suddenly springs, seating himself securely in the saddle.

 The blinds, of course, are still over the eyes of the horse, and as general thing he stands with his neck stretched out and head partly down, perfect picture of awkwardness. The rider is at his ease, and adjusts himself and everything about him with the greatest care, as he knows there is warm work before him. When ready for the start he reaches gently forward and slips up the blinds. Naturally the horse is rather astonished, and at first refuses to move. A sharp application of the whip and spur, how ever, readily induces him to change his mind. He takes timidly one or two awkward, steps, then, suddenly doub- ling himself up until he resembles a camel, and throwing his head down be- fore his hindfeet, he begins 8 series of pitches, which consist in jumping as high and as far as he can, coming down stif-legged.

 Those who have accomplished the extraordinary feat of going down a flight of stairs at one step can form some faint idea how it feels to sit on the back of pitching horse. Some of the more vicious will lie down when the saddle is buckled on, and re- quire tremendous amount of whipping to get them started :; some will rear and fall backward, occasionally killing their riders some will pitch straight ahead for quite distance; while others will pitch straight for few jumps, and then, as the Texans say, "swap ends so quick that it makes your head swim"

 Fortunately, they soon tire of such violent exercise, being wholly unaccus- toned to a saddle or weight on their backs, and break down completely in a few hours. The saddles are then taken off, and they are reserved for another trial the next morning.

 The exercise is continued for week or more, according to the nature of the horse, when it is pronounced gentle and tractable for good rider, but woe to the unsuspecting greenhorn that is tempted to place himself on his back.

 A few of the horses.are naturally gentle natured, and never, unless frightened in breaking, attempt to cut up at all. Those who love the horse and desire to see him roaming at will in all his beauty and symmetry, with glossy hide and flowing mane and tail, should go to the prairies.