Cowboys And The West-Gauchos

The range horse—The typical range horse or "cow pony" used in working cattle is of unknown ancestry, but is obviously descended from the horses brought over by the Spanish Conquistadores. They tend to be on the small side, about 15 hands—ranging from 14 to 16 —somewhat smaller in the southwest than in the northwest. They are handy (able to stop and turn quickly, to change direction on the correct lead and to respond promptly to neck reins), surefooted, rugged, courageous, and they subsist well on the limited forage and water found on the Western plains.

Most of the horses bred in the West for market are Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbred Types with varying infusions of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse blood. They are bred for sale to interests which plan to use them for flat racing, polo, hunting and police work—and to parade organizations, cavalry units, etc.

The greatest number of range horses are bred and raised in Texas. California, Wyoming and Colorado are next.

The greatest number of and largest horse ranches are in Texas and California.

The Quarter Horse is a registered breed of western U. S. horse much used for working stock, for rodeos and on ranches. It is characterized by a notable burst of speed at short distances—about a quarter mile. Thus, the name. The Quarter Horse is relatively short, "built low to the ground," with thick short cannons, well muscled and stocky. He is a "good keeper." The breed originated in Virginia in the 1760's. Today's Quarter Horse appears to be largely a product of Thoroughbred sires and Spanish Mustang dams.

Range horses are frequently branded on the near flank, shoulder or neck with the ranch's distinctive mark.

RANGE CATTLE—The most usual type of beef cattle raised on the Western plains today is the Hereford or "white face." The breed of cattle known as Santa Gertrodis—a cross between the Indian Brahma and the Shorthorn—popularized by the King Ranch, is found in increasing numbers today as is also the Aberdeen Angus.

Many years ago, the "longhorn" predominated in the Western range. This was a long horned variety of only fair beef cattle which migrated north from Old Mexico; it is now almost extinct. It has been replaced by the shorthorn.

A steer is a castrated male of one of the cattle breeds.

The greatest number of beef cattle are raised in Texas. The next largest number in Iowa. Large numbers of cattle are also raised in Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Colorado.
The cattle in the Northern plains states, like the horses, are somewhat larger and heavier than they are in the South.

The greatest number of and largest cattle ranches are in Texas, Colorado, Kansas and Florida.

Cattle are generally branded.

OTHER PLAINS ANIMALS-In addition to beef cattle and horses, a large number of sheep are ranged on the Western plains.

As a carryover from the days of the open range, sheep ranchers are unpopular with the horse and cattle ranchers since the sheep nibble the grass so short as to make it entirely useless for grazing cattle and horses, and because their small sharp hoofs cut the grass into the ground and kill it. Since there is now little open range, there seems no need for any feuding between the two groups. In the mountainous

country bordering the  Southwest plains,  mountain   lions  or  cougars are disturbingly plentiful. These predatory animals are a great danger to horses and cattle as are coyotes on the plains.

SLANG—Arroyo—A dried-up stream bed; a gully. (From the Spanish.)

Broke horse—One that is sufficiently manageable to bridle, saddle and ride with reasonable safety.

Broomtail—A wild horse, usually small, slight and not worth the bother of "breaking" or training.

Bronc—An unbroken or untamed horse, or a horse that, although it has been broken and ridden, remains intractable, mean, dangerous and untrustworthy. The term is also sometimes used to describe the Western "cow pony" whether broken or unbroken and without regard to its "orneriness." The term comes from the Spanish "bronco" meaning wild or untamed.

Buckctroo—A hard riding cowhand whose chief occupation is breaking broncs. Sometimes also applied to rodeo riders. (Probably a corruption of the Spanish "vaquero.")

Cayuse—An Indian pony.

Chuck wagon—A horse-drawn commissary and supply wagon in which food, cooking untensils, fuel and a crude stove are carried to furnish meals.

Critter—A calf. The term is, however, frequently applied to range cattle generally.

Cutting out calves—Using a cow pony to separate a special group of calves from the herd by "hazing" them into a position to be roped by another man on a rope pony and taken out of the herd. The term is usually applied to the operation of separating unbranded calves preparatory to branding. (This is now usually accomplished in a corral.)

Dog ie—Originally, a motherless calf, but now frequently applied to young scrub cattle of poor quality.

Dude—Anyone not a native of the West; originally one who dressed in a fashion not customary on the range and who was strange to the ways and customs of the range. Now frequently used to describe a paying guest at a western ranch.

Ground tie—Letting a horse's separated reins fall to the ground, hanging from the bit. The horse should stand quietly (tied to the ground) while the rider walks away.

Maverick—An unbranded calf, especially a motherless calf. Named for Samuel A. Maverick of Texas, who did not brand his calves.
Outlaw—A vicious horse that cannot be ridden with safety, and which regularly or periodically devotes its energies to unseating or disposing of its rider.

Pinto (or paint)—A piebald or skewbald horse (one with a mottled coat of dark hair marked with large spots or splotches of white.) Frequently they are also white faced.

Remuda—A collection of "broken" horses in a corral—or assembled on the plain—from which the horses to be ridden for the day's work are selected.

Riding herd—Riding slowly around a herd of cattle or horses to prevent any of the animals straying from it, to drive back stragglers and to prevent a stampede—controlling the herd.

Roundup—A periodic collection of all of a rancher's horses or cattle to take inventory of the stock, to brand young horses and calves and select stock for shipment to market.

Rustler—A cattle or horse thief.

Vaquero—The Mexican name for "Cow Boy."

Wrangler—A hand whose duty it is to watch and periodically assemble the "remuda" of horses for the others engaged in work on the plains. FENCES—The fences found on the Western plains are almost entirely barbed wire. A length of fence is studded by gates. Also, in a length of fence, several of the posts are not driven into the ground so that a section of it may be turned and laid flat.

Since range horses are not as a rule jumped, cowhands get their horses on the other side of a wire fence—when they are not near a gate —by 'laying" a section of the fence and leading the horses over it. (The horses are, of course, used to this.)

Cattlemen will tell you that if you are lost on the plains, the thing to do is to ride to a fence and follow it into a corral. This is good advice, providing you can find a fence!

TACK—The stock or Western saddle used by the Western cattlemen is distinguished by a high cantle and pommel, with a rather narrow space between them, a horn on the pommel to which a rope may be secured, and stirrups hung somewhat further back than they are on the English type saddle.

The typical bridle is somewhat more simple than that used in "Eastern" riding. There is only a bit (rather than a bit and bridoon or Pelham bit) and there is no separate cavesson. Frequently too, there is no throat latch, the bridle being held in place by a slit in the headstall through which the near ear is passed.

A bosal is a cavesson noseband made of braided rawhide or leather.

The cowhand's bridle reins (one on each side) are not fastened together. This is so that, if the rider dismounts or is thrown, the reins will fall with the loose ends lying on the ground. Then, if the horse attempts to move away, it will step on the loose ends of the reins, apply pressure on the bit and stop itself. However, older horses, if they really wish to get away, have learned that they can do pretty well by turning their heads sideways and trailing the reins so that they do not step on them.

The girth or cinch is usually of the "string" variety. There are generally two girths, one for the forward and one for the rear part of the saddle. However, the "center fire rig" single girth—midway between the pommel and cantle—is also frequently used (in the Northwest largely).

A latigo is a cinchstrap used to draw the cinch tight through a ring on the saddle and a ring on the girth (cinch).

A fender is an oblong piece of wide leather attached to the stirrup leather of the stock saddle and is used to protect the rider's leg. The stirrups are frequently covered by a leather hood called a tapadero. A romal is a round braid of rawhide (or horsehair) attached to the end of closed reins—and used as a quirt (a short handled whip of rawhide).

HOBBLE—A hobble is frequently used for fastening together a horse's forelegs to fetter him. It is usually composed of two straps which are buckled, one on each leg, just above the fetlock, and fastened together by a short strap or chain—or leather cuffs fastened by a chain. Sometimes the hobble is merely a rawhide tie and, occasionally, as a makeshift, a short length of rope is used.

SEAT—The cowboy's seat differs materially from that used in hunting and polo and, less, from that used by saddle horse people. The Western seat is distinguished by the long stirrups which cause the entire body to be nearly vertical, giving the effect of standing on the stirrups with the support of the cantle.

CLOTHES—The distinctive and well-known costume of the plains cattlemen is not bizarre—it serves a very useful purpose.

The broad brimmed hat is a protection against rain, hail and sun; the high crown provides an air space for coolness. It is called a Stetson.

The leather or fur chaps (the correct name is chaparajos—pronounced cha par ah hos) are worn to protect the legs from thorny or heavy brush, bumps against cattle or other horses and against severe weather.

The colorful bandanna neckerchief is lifted over the nose and mouth as a protection against the dust and, in the North, to tie over the ears in winter.

The high heels on the Westerner's boots prevent the foot slipping through the stirrup with the danger of being "hung up" if unseated or in the event of a fall, and to provide a secure hold and firm footing on the ground (by digging the heels in when roping from the ground).

The short height of the cowboy's boots makes them easy to put on and take off. It is a common practice in the Southwest, before putting on one's boots, to turn them upside down and tap the soles vigorously to rid them of tarantula, lizard, snake or other objectionable creature that may have crawled in.

The blue denim "jeans"—rather tight legged with riveted seam points—usually worn by stock men at work, are called levis because, for a long time, the most popular of these garments was made by Levi Straus of San Francisco.
Shotgun chaps are unadorned plain chaps, closed and fitting tightly over the leg like trousers. They are used frequently by rodeo and show riders as well as hands on ranches. They are characteristic of California.

Chinks are deerhide or buckskin (generally) abbreviated chaps something like a leather apron fastened to the legs—a sort of divided leather skirt worn by women in lieu of regular chaps.

The stockman's large roweled spurs are necessitated by the little time available for schooling horses, the necessity for prompt action and the independence of the range horse.

LARIATS—The lariat (from the Spanish la reata, a rope) is a rope of small diameter with a running noose carried on the cowhand's saddle and used for catching or securing cattle or horses. It is frequently referred to also as a lasso and a riata. "Riata" is sometimes used to designate a rawhide rope as opposed to a grass "rope" or "lariat."

Usual length of the lariat is from 35 to 50 feet and, most commonly, it is from a to 2 inch in diameter. It is almost universally made of hemp. Infrequently now, it is made of braided rawhide, although in the earlier days, this was common. Cotton and nylon mixture lariats are also sometimes used today.

The metal eye which fits into the loop at the end of the lariat-through which the other end is passed to form a running noose—is called a honda.

RODEO—A Rodeo is an organized series of contests, public demonstrations and spectacles of the Western plains—with Western riding, riders, horses and cattle.

Rodeo is Spanish for "roundup" (of cattle) and is pronounced either rō' dē.ō or rō.dā'ō. The latter is usual in the Southwest.

The rodeo originated in the days of the unfenced ranges in the '70's. A kind of country fair was held following the semi-annual roundups, at which the cowhands of the several ranches, after they were paid off, incidentally entertained themselves with feats of skill and informal contests in connection with their work, as well as poker and the droning of ballads. These affairs gradually developed into local shows or exhibitions. The first well-organized, well-advertised rodeo was held in Denver in 1896.

A chute is a narrow wooden boxlike enclosure in which horses (so that they may be saddled and mounted) and cattle are placed awaiting their turns and from which they are released to take part in the rodeo events. On the range a chute is used for branding, veterinary attention, segregating animals, etc.

The bucking horses used in rodeos, are naturally inclined to unseat their riders, but to assure that they put on a good show, a bucking cinch or flank cinch is placed well to the rear around his belly to stimulate bucking.

Sunfishing refers to the motion of a bucking horse when he sways and twists from side to side as he jumps so that his forefeet land alternately on opposite sides of his line of progress. This motion, added to the bucking, makes it particularly difficult for the rider to stay aboard.

In bronc riding contests only one hand may be used and the rider is required to "scratch" his horse, that is, spur him alternately on the flanks and shoulders. The bronc rider is required to stay on a bucking horse ten seconds if he is in a saddle—eight seconds if bareback.

In bronc riding contests, a mounted pick up man is also in the arena. It is his job to release the bucking cinch and lift the contestant off the bucking horses when the time limit has expired.

Contests usually included in a rodeo are: saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, steer riding, bulldogging (steer wrestling^, calf roping, steer roping, team roping and steer decorating (tieing a ribbon on horn or tail).

In bulldogging contests a hazer assists the contestants by galloping on the opposite side of the steer to keep it from veering away when the contestant slips out of his saddle to tie it down.

Famous summer rodeos are the Stampede at Calgary, Canada; the Roundup at Pendleton, Oregon; Frontier Days at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The most important winter rodeo is generally considered to be the World's Championship Rodeo at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Rodeos generally are classified with respect to the amount of prize money offered.

The Rodeo Association of America, organized in 1928, establishes the rules and regulations and is the governing body for all official rodeos.

HORSE SHOWS—Many horse shows offer a Western Division, generally in two parts—a stock horse section and a pleasure horse section.

Classes may include stock horses—lightweight, heavyweight and open, junior stock horses, ladies stock horses, a jaquima class (horses not more than five years old, never ridden in other than a snaffle bit bridle and usually shown in a bosal), western trail horses, western pleasure horses and a western pair class. The horses shown in Western Divisions may be any breed or combination of breeds, 14.1 hands and over of stock horse type—stallions, mares and geldings.

Faults include a switching tail, exaggerated opening of mouth, hard or heavy mouth, lugging, nervous throwing of head, falling or hesitating while being shown, particularly anticipating being checked.

Good characteristics include good manners, a shifty and smooth performance with feet under the horse at all times, particularly when stopping, a soft mouth and ready response to a light rein, especially when turning, head maintained in a natural position, speed while under the control of the rider, and ability to gallop and lope on the correct lead.

In Western classes, points are scored as follows. When not worked on cattle: response to the reins—50 points; conformation—20 points; manners—20 points; appointments—10 points. When worked on cattle: a total of 150 points; cow work—50 points; response to the reins—50 points; conformation—20 points; manners—20 points; and appointments —10 points. Western trail horses: performance and manners—60 points; appointments, equipment and neatness—20 points; conformation—20 points. Western pleasure horses: performance—60 points; conformation —30 points; appointments—10 points. Western pair class: performance —50 points; conformation—25 points; tack and equipment—25 points. Stock horses are worked individually.

In showing stock horses, the rider is required to use only one hand and the hand may not be changed. The hand must be around the reins (fingers must not be between the reins) and the rider's hands must be clear of the horse and saddle while the horse is in motion.

Appointments include a stock saddle without Tapaderos, western bridle and bit, and riders must wear western hat, chaps, cowboy boots and carry a rope or riata. Prohibited are spurs and bosals, cavesson nosebands, martingales, choke ropes, tie downs, and metal chin straps. SOME HISTORY AND GENERAL INFORMATION-The Pony Express was a private company which operated a relay of horses to carry mail from St. Joseph, Missouri to San Francisco, California before railroads were extended across the country. It was started in April 1860.

Famous painters of Western scenes, horses and men include: Charles

M. Russell, Frederick Remington, William Ziegler, Pete Martinez, Burris Jenkins, Frank Hoffman, William R. Leigh and Olaf Weighorst.

Will James was a well-known cowboy artist and author.

Will Rogers was a famous cowboy comedian and philosopher.

The surname of Buffalo Bill (the famous Indian Fighter) was Cody.

Other countries, besides the United States, noted for their range cattle and horses are Canada and Argentina.

THE CATTLE RIDERS OF LATIN AMERICA-The vaquero of Mexico, the gaúcho of Brazil, the llanero of Venezuela, the huaso of Chile, the gaucho of Argentina and Uruguay, and the North American cowboy, are as much alike as Ford cars off the same assembly line. They all learned their methods of cattle handling, branding, roping, and the like, from the same source—Spain—and their herds and the horses they rode were, in the beginning, descended from those brought over by the Conquistadores. These horsemen became folk-heroes in their various countries and national symbols of courage, virility, and the spirit of independence: while each group also inspired a regional literature of great and continuing popularity.

SADDLES AND GEAR—The ring bit and the saddles they rode with the tall pommels and high cantles were, with one exception, copies of those the Arabs brought to Spain and, later, the Conquistadores took with them to the New World. The only change was an added horn for roping. On the pampas there was no wood to make saddle trees, so the gaucho adopted a sort of layer-cake arrangement, in use in Southern Spain, made up of sweat cloths, leather, and woolly sheep skins, piled one on the other, and held in place by an overall girth. As it had no horn, the gaucho was forced to make fast the end of his reata to the cinch ring. The llanero of Venezuela used a different method. He sometimes plaited his lasso into the hair of his horse's tail, which took the entire shock of stopping a roped steer.

The Mexicans adopted the wooden tree of the Conquistadores, and added a very large wooden horn: but, when the cowboys learned the cattle business from them, they substituted a much smaller metal horn, which permitted them to make a quicker dally (several turns of the reata around the horn).

FACON—The facon was the long sheath-knife every gaucho carried stuck in the back of his belt. It was the pampas tool chest, for with it he slaughtered and skinned cattle, carved out thongs of rawhide to make or mend his gear, cut his meat, picked his teeth, and even fought his duels with his poncho wrapped around his arm as a sort of buckler.

BOLEADORAS—The early Spaniards took over this weapon from the Indians who invented it. It consisted of three rawhide thongs some six feet long. Three ends were fastened together and a round weight the size of a billiard ball, and originally made of stone, was attached to each of the other ends. Holding one ball in his hand and swinging the other two around his head, the horseman galloped after his prey-horse, cow, or rhea, as the case might be. When close enough he flung his weapon which entangled the animal's legs and threw it.

TROPILLA—This is the gaucho term for his string of horses—his remuda. He chooses eight to fourteen geldings (no self-respecting son of the pampas would ever ride a mare) as much alike in conformation and color as possible, and adds a pinto bell-mare because she is more easily visible at night. Then each horse in turn is neck-yoked to the mare until they become friends and he will follow her anywhere. Leading his bell-mare and with his tropilla following, the gaucho can make phenomenal rides; when the horse under him tires, he stops, and, at his whistle, all the mounts line up while he saddles a fresh one and then continues on his way.

GAUCHO GAMES—The gauchos' rough, equestrian sports have helped to make him a superb horseman. He will, for instance, permit a friend to boleador his horse as he rides by at full gallop. Then, when the animal turns turtle, if he fails to land on his feet like a cat with the reins in his hand, he loses his reputation and becomes the butt of jokes.

Another game was known as el pato (the duck). A large group of gauchos on their fastest mounts would gather at a pulperia, or pampas pub, and shout: "pato! pato!" until its owner brought out a live duck sewn up in a rawhide bag with four stout grips. Mounted men each grasped a handle and, at the word, the strongest pulled the pato away from the others and started off across the pampas at a wild gallop with the entire pack following, each rider trying to snatch the duck away. The one who finally reached the appointed estancia carrying it under his arm was adjudged the winner.

So many pedestrians and animals were left a bloody pulp on the pampas in the wake of these galloping hordes, and so many fatal fights occurred among the contestants, that pato was declared illegal for a long time. But lately it has been revived as a sort of basketball on horseback with strict rules.

Probably the wildest feat of all, and, as far as I know, performed nowhere else, is el salto de la maroma, which takes its name from the crossbeam that connects the tops of the gateposts of a corral. The performer sits on this bar and, as a bunch of bare-backed broncos rush through the open gates, he drops on one and lets it buck and run for awhile. Then he begins to fan it on one side of its head with his hat until the bronco turns back toward the corral. When it reaches there.

The pampas spawned a rawhide-tough race of horsemen, many of mixed Spanish and Indian blood, that fought the Indians, pushed forward the frontier, laid the foundation for a great cattle empire, and formed the backbone of the armies that repulsed the British, defeated the Portuguese, and eventually wrested Latin America from Spanish domination.

(Edward Larocque Tinker)

he brings the heavy end of his quirt down hard between the horse's ears, knocking it to its knees, and then dismounts.

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