THE HORSE 283 



less close quarters it kicks out its hind hoofs with terrific 

 effect. 



The Gauchos, or native peons, are expert Horse-catchers, 

 and in rendering their captives submissive they are without 

 equals in any part of the world, not even second to the 

 Mexican vaqueros, or the ranchmen, called cowboys, of 

 the United States and Canada. The Horses are sometimes 

 chased and lassoed ; but more often they are driven into a 

 corral, in much the same manner as elephants are captured. 



' When the Gaucho wishes to take a Wild Horse, he 

 mounts one that has been used to the sport and gallops 

 over the plain. As soon as he comes near his victim, the 

 lasso is thrown round the two hind legs, and as the Gaucho 

 rides a little on one side, the jerk pulls the entangled Horse's 

 feet laterally, so as to throw him on his side without 

 endangering his knees or his face. Before the Horse can 

 recover the shock, the rider dismounts, and snatching his 

 poncho, or cloak, from his shoulders, wraps it round the 

 prostrate animal's head. He then forces into his mouth 

 one of the powerful bridles of the country, straps a saddle 

 on his back, and bestriding him, removes the poncho. The 

 astonished Horse springs on his legs, and endeavours by a 

 thousand vain efforts to disencumber himself of his new 

 master, who sits quite composedly on his back, and, by a 

 discipline which never fails, reduces the Horse to such 

 complete obedience that he is soon trained to lend his 

 whole speed and strength to the capture of his companions.' 



Primitive man not only hunted and tamed the Horse, but 

 he made large use of its flesh for food. It was a well-known 

 article of diet in Britain in the time of the Romans, as it 

 was on the Continent generally, until, in the eighth century, 

 its use was forbidden by edict in the Christian Church. But 

 necessity knows no law. If the English had not besieged 

 Copenhagen in 1807, it is doubtful whether the Danes would 

 now largely utilise horseflesh, for it was when the citizens 

 were reduced to extremities that they gained a liking for the 

 meat. As late as 1629, a man was condemned to death in 

 France for eating horseflesh during Lent ; but in modern 

 times the meat is in considerable demand, largely because 

 it is only about half the price of beef. Attempts have been 



