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leather thongs, is similar to the former but more unerring; scarcely 

 an instance has been known of its failure, except in those frequent 

 trials which are requisite to acquire perfect skill in the practice. 



They have a very singular and simple way of training mules 

 and horses to draw light carts, coaches, &c. No harness is 

 made use of; a saddle or pad is girted on, and a leather thong is 

 fastened to the girth on one side, so that the animal moving for- 

 ward, with his body in a rather oblique direction, keeps his legs 

 clear of the apparatus which is attached to him, and draws with a 

 freedom and an agility that in a stranger excite great surprise. A 

 similar contrivance is used in the catching of cattle. The Peon 

 fastens one end of his lazo (or noosed thong) to the girth of his 

 horse, who soon learns to place himself in such an attitude as to 

 draw the ox which his rider has caught, and even should the latter 

 dismount, he keeps the thong on the stretch. 



The horses in this country are very spirited, and perform almost 

 incredible labour. They seldom work longer than a week at a time, 

 being then turned out to pasture for months together. Their sole 

 food is grass, and the treatment they meet with from their masters is 

 most harsh and unfeeling. They are frequently galloped until their 

 generous fire is spent, and they drop through exhaustion and fa- 

 tigue. The make of the bridle is alone sui5icient to torture the 

 animal, being of the heavy Spanish fashion. They are never shod. 

 The girths of the saddles are of a curious construction ; they are 

 generally formed of shreds of green hide, or of the sinew of the 

 neck ; the middle part is twenty inches broad, terminated at each 

 end by an iron ring. One of these ends is made fast to the saddle 

 by its ring ; to the other side of the saddle is attached a third ring 

 and a pliable strap, which, being passed through it and the girth- 

 ring three or four times, affords the rider great purchase, and enables 

 him to gird the saddle very tightj which is thus kept so firm in its 

 place that a crupper is unnecessary, and indeed is never used. 



