170 THE HORSE: ITS TAMING, 



horse-breaker showed marvellous skill in lassoing. 

 The moment the rope was round the horse's neck the 

 animal would plunge wildly round the yard, hard held 

 by two or three men, until the tightening of the rope 

 brought it gasping to its knees. Green hide hobbles 

 were placed on the fore feet, the station brand burnt 

 in upon the shoulder. This work would often last the 

 whole day. 



After a time the mobs of wild horses coming to 

 water got very small. They stayed away until they 

 nearly perished, and when at last they did enter and 

 got shut in they were often so weak and poor as to be 

 of little or no use. Their timidity was caused, no 

 doubt, by the horses that got away from the yard 

 joining other mobs and keeping them away from 

 danger. The length of time horses will go without 

 water, even during the hottest months of the year, is 

 astonishing. I have known numbers to go without 

 water for eight and ten days, and getting it at the end 

 of that time they would, although very poor and weak, 

 recover, and after a few months become fat again. 



Wild horses are very cunning, and if they break 

 away once or twice when being driven in will never 

 afterwards be found near the yards, and if wanted will 

 have to be run down. Running down managed by 

 several riders, who go out with three or four horses 

 each. They are placed at convenient distances apart 

 over the country known to be frequented. When 



