"BUSTING" 111 



like a whip with the bucking, and he himself lose con- 

 sciousness. Indeed, it is not uncommon for violent pitch- 

 ing to produce hemorrhage of the lungs, while hernia, 

 cracked bones, and serious sprains are frequent disasters. 

 There is no creature in the service of man which can 

 put its master to such violent efforts in its subjugation as 

 the bronco. Of course a better plan would be the more 

 gradual one of civilized trainers, but for this there is no 

 leisure. 



The whole secret of "busting" (the word is advisedly 

 used, as picturesquely expressive of the process, in contra- 

 diction to breaking) lies in completely exhausting the 

 bronco at the first lesson ; he will never buck "for keeps" 

 more than once. Buffalo Bill's ponies have been allowed 

 to throw their riders, or the rider has judiciously slipped 

 off at the right intervals, thus impressing the idea on the 

 bronco's intelligence that he can surely throw his man if 

 he sticks long enough to his bucking. But once ridden 

 to the verge of falling in his tracks, the pony will not do 

 his level worst again, but content himself with grunting 

 and yelling, " knocking his teeth out " and playing the 

 devil generally. The buster must be careful to keep well 

 away from sheds and timber, and have room enough to 

 cut a wide swath. He must be able to stick to his saddle 

 like a leech, with or without stirrups. If, indeed, he needs 

 his stirrups for a hold, he is not looked on as much of a 

 rider ; and it is a matter of pride with the " sure enough " 

 buster not to rely on anything but what old horsemen call 

 glue. To show his contempt for the bronco's power, he 

 will ply the quirt at every jump. It is a fair fight and 

 no favor between man and beast. But the buster has 

 been there before, and 'knows exactly what he is about ; 

 the bronco is new to the business, and though he in- 

 variably makes a good fight, he is sure to have to give 



