THE MUSTANG. 



' 581 



by permitting it to become sour, and then stirring the curd and milk violently with a large 

 stick until it is forced into a homogeneous mass. From the same substance the Tartars make 

 a fermented liquid. These Horses are very strong and hardy, and the breed is preserved in 

 good condition by the custom which prevails among the Tartars of killing and eating the 

 defective or weak foals, and preserving the strong and healthy for use. Being brought up 

 with the family, the Tartar Horse is very gentle and familiar with its owners. When they are 

 only a few months of age they are ridden by the children, but never backed by a man until 

 they are live or six years old. They are then, however, severely treated, being forced to travel 

 for several consecutive days, and to endure great privations of hunger and thirst. 



MUSTANG. 



Another well-known example of the Wild Horse is the Mustang of the American 

 prairies. 



This animal is congregated into vast herds, which are always under the guardianship of a 

 single leader, who is able, in some wonderful manner, to convey his orders to all his subjects 

 simultaneously. Although surrounded by various enemies, such as the puma, the wolf, and 

 the jaguar, they care little for these ravenous and powerful carnivora, trusting in their united 

 strength to save them from harm. There is no animal that will dare to face a troop of Wild 

 Horses, which often entice the domesticated animals into their ranks, and carry them exult- 

 ingly into the free plains. 



The Mustang is always a strong and a useful animal, and is much sought after as a saddle- 

 horse. To capture these wild creatures is a very difficult matter, and is generally managed by 

 the help of the lasso, although the rifle is sometimes called into requisition in difficult cases. 

 This latter plan, technically called " creasing," is never employed but by very accurate marks- 

 men, as the difference of half an inch in the line of fire is sufficient either to miss the animal 

 or to kill it on the spot. In " creasing" a Horse, the hunter aims so as to graze the skull just 

 behind the ear, the sudden blow stunning the horse for a few seconds, during which time the 

 hunter pounces on the bewildered animal, and secures it before it has fairly recovered its 

 senses. 



