Nov. 1S33. 



HORSEMANSHIP. 



1J7 



themselves on the ground^ are by far the most troublesome. 

 This process is tremendously severe^* but in two or three 

 trials the horse is tamed. It is not^ however, for some 

 weeks that the animal is ridden with the iron bit and solid 

 ring ; for it must learn to associate the will of its rider with 

 the feel of the rein, before the most powerful bridle can be 

 of any service. 



The Gauchos are well known to be perfect riders. The 

 idea of being thrown, let the horse do what it likes, never 

 enters their head. Their criterion of a good rider, is a man 

 who can manage an untamed colt, or who, if his horse falls, 

 alights on his own feet, or can perform other such exploits. 

 I have heard of a man betting that he would throw his horse 

 down twenty times, and that nineteen out of these he would 

 not fall himself. I recollect seeing a Gaucho riding a very 

 stubborn horse, which three times successively reared so high 

 as to fail backwards with great violence. The man judged 

 with uncommon coolness the proper moment for slipping off, 

 not an instant before or after the right time. Directly the 

 horse rose the man jumped on his back, and at last they 

 started at a gallop. The Gaucho never appears to exert any 

 muscular force. I was one day watching a good rider, as we 

 were galloping along at a rapid pace, and thought to myself, 

 surely if the horse starts, you appear so careless on your seat 

 you must fall.'^ At this moment, a male ostrich sprang from 

 its nest right beneath the horse's nose. The young colt 

 bounded on one side, like a stag ; but as for the man, all that 



* Animals are so abundant in these countries that humanity and self- 

 interest are not closely united ; therefore the former is scarcely known. 

 One day, riding in the Pampas with a very respectable " Estanciero," my 

 horse, being tired, lagged behind. The man often shouted to me to spur 

 him. When I remonstrated that it was a pity, for the horse was quite 

 exhausted, he cried out, " Why not ? — never mind — spur him — it is my 

 horse." I had then some difficulty in making him comprehend that it 

 was for the horse's sake, and not on his account, that I did not choose to 

 use my spurs. He exclaimed, with a look of great surprise, " Ah Don 

 Carlos que cosa !" It was clear that such an idea had never before entered 

 his head. 



VOL. III. 



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