148 THE STOCK SADDLE 



unchanged, with its weight distribution, high 

 cantle, box stirrups and oiled leather seat. 



Next came the American of the North to 

 learn from Texans their art of handling stock, 

 and almost throughout the Western States the 

 Vaquero was replaced by the Cowboy. Both 

 were abstemious and hard-working men. In 

 their valour, gentleness, skill and power as 

 rough-riders they were equals, and hardly sur- 

 passed. The methods of both in horse- 

 breaking were altogether vile, and the horse- 

 mastership almost as bad. But there the 

 equality ends ; for the cowboy had endurance 

 and vitality beyond all comparison in the 

 modern world, was master where the Vaquero 

 of Mexico is servant, had the brains and 

 character, the chivalry and high initiative of a 

 ruUng race. Without the Red Indian grace 

 in horsemanship, the American cow-puncher 

 takes rank with the knight-at-arms and the 

 cavaUer among the greater horsemen of all 

 ages. It is well to give him the credit for 

 experienced and practical good sense in matters 

 of horsemanship and equipment. 



The Ranche hand as Horsemaster. While 

 a pony sold at ten dollars he was not con- 

 sidered worth educating. A professional 

 broncho buster took him in hand for five 



