BUCKING OF THE BRONCO

BUCKING OF THE BRONCO

BY

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

IN

THE CENTURY MAGAZINE

A Recreation of the Cowboy is Taming a Vicious Brute

The cowboy, when not on the range or drive is out there racing, breaking wild horses, or

just plain larking with one another. A man with an especially bad horse takes the opportunity

when he has plenty of time, to ride the breast. While trying to do this ride, he is allways

surrounded by an unsympathetic crowd. A cowboy on a bucking horse is always fair game.

Every jump, twist and throw of the bronco is hailed by cheers for the rider to “stay with

him”.

When the rope goes around his neck, the fight begins and after much plunging and snorting

a twist is taken over his nose, like a hackamore. To get the bridal on him watch those front legs. Some times a blindfold is necessary. To get the saddle on is difficult and when it is on

the horse will buck under the saddle or just wait for the rider to fill the saddle. This rider,

keeping tight hold with his left hand on the check strap, swings into the saddle.

Up rises the bronco, his back arched, his head, with ears back, goes down under and make a

succession of stiff leg jarring bounds.

A plunging bucker runs forward all while bucking, or, maybe he will just stay put and buck.

A top class rider will stay throughout all of this, grab the saddle horn , and tries to not be

thrown off.

SOURCE: Saturday, 18 august, 1888, Denton Journal of Denton Maryland