172 THE HORSE: ITS TAMING, 



Some wild horses, even after they have been broken 

 in, are very hard to keep from trying to get back to 

 their old beats. In spite of hobbles, side lines, and 

 high fences, they will often get away, causing a lot of 

 trouble in finding and bringing them back. 



Another custom of the bush is the habit amongst 

 cattle drovers of pulling out cattle that may get 

 bogged, especially in droughts, by fixing one end of 

 a strong rope (carried for the purpose) to their horse's 

 tail, making fast the other round the horns of the 

 bullock, and obliging the horse to pull the beast out. 

 The strength of a horse harnessed in this novel manner 

 is wonderful. On the Warrego I have seen one pull 

 out a bullock, which six strong men were utterly 

 unable to move. It has been said that a horse may 

 be suspended by the hairs of his tail. I have seen 

 horses pull twice their weight harnessed in the above 

 manner, and, apparently, without pain. 



Sunday was " convincing" day on the station. 

 The old hands would, after a comparatively late 

 breakfast, stroll up to the stock-yards and take seats 

 all round upon the top rail. Awaiting the advent of 

 the horse-breaker, they would vie with one another in 

 telling thrilling stories of outlaws that had bucked and 

 bucked, and of riders of other days that rode so well. 

 A good rider, and a fearless one, is a power in the 

 bush, and a little god in the men's hut. But ride he 

 ever so well there will always come a man from " over 



