Year: 1871

HOW They Break wild Horses II


Texas.


Those who have never visited the re
| gions where wild horses are caught O
reared have but little idea how the un
tanned steed of the prairies is rendere,
tractable and useful AT the present da,
in Texas the hordes ofmustangs that fol
merly ranged over its vast prairies hav
become almost extinct in the settlet
portions, and confne themselves to tn
extreme western counties. In thei
place are horses mostly crossed witt
American stock, which are in a state o
semi-wildness that is, they roam a
will until certain seasons Of the year
when. all such as can be caught are
driven in herds to huge pens constructed
for the purpose, to be branded anC
marked, after which most of them are
let loose to roam at viii again.


When the owner of a portion of {
herd desires to break any, of his young
horses he proceeds in this wise: The
first movement is to. lasso the horse
selected by the head and forefeet, and
throw him to the earth; then a kind Of
hair halter, called bosal, is put on
his head both to serve as bride or to
stake the animal by, it being much more
effectual than halter or bride in check.
ing 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 and stock raisers have one
OF more Udqasr0s, whom they employ
for the special purpose of breaking and
riding wild and refractory horses. These
90 out, followed by all the members of
the family, and proceed to overhaul their
saddles and see that there is no defect
in the rigging" When they are salts
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 a saddle
blanket is dropped gently on his back,
but very seldom remains at the first trial
as he will almost invariably shake it of.
After one or more trials, however, he
submits to both blanket and saddle.
The latter article is strapped on tightly
with two girths, fore and flank; strapped,
indeed, so tightly, that one unaccus-
toned to the sight would think that 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 a long end by which to hold on,
in the event the horse should succeed in
throwing him. is Netffr


Everything is now ready for the mount,
The rider adorns his heels with a huge
pair Of spurs, stands directly facing the
horse, abreast or little forward of the
shoulder, ,seizes the under part Of the
bosal with his left hand, pulls the horse S
head round near him to prevent being
kicked, takes the stirrup in his right
hand and turning It towards him places
his left foot in it firmly. Grasping the
pommel, he now gives the saddle shake
or two, makes one or two feints at
to see how his borseship 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 a general
thing he stands, his neck stretched out
and head partially down, a perfect pic
lure Of awkwardness. The rider is at
his ease, and adjusts himself and every /
hing about him with the greatest care,