238 THE HORSE IN AMERICA 



can, and also perform feats an Englishman never 

 dreamed of. 



I recall very well when Buffalo Bill first took 

 his "Broncho Busters" to England that the press 

 and the people, particularly the horsemen, insist- 

 ed that these vicious wild horses, that had been 

 spoiled in the breaking, were merely trick horses, 

 trained to their antics and taught to buck and 

 plunge and turn somersaults. At length came the 

 request that some English riders be permitted to 

 try the bronchos. The request was hospitably en- 

 tertained, and one afternoon several men ap- 

 peared. They insisted, however, that they be per- 

 mitted to use English saddles and bridles. This 

 request was acceded to and the experiments were 

 tried. I never saw a more pitiful exhibition of 

 helplessness. They tumbled off as though they 

 were inexperienced babies, and some were more 

 or less hurt. Indeed the experiments resulted in so 

 many accidents that they were given up as too 

 dangerous. The English saddle and the English 

 seat are well adapted to the hunting field, but not 

 at all suitable for the kind of riding cow-punchers 

 have to do and the kind of horses that they have 



