Hook 'Em Snotty Read Online Free PDF Page A

what does “hook ’em, snotty” mean anyway?
    Bobbie folded the letter and stuffed it inside her shirt pocket. “Shoot, Sonny,” she said, “everybody knows that’s what you yell to a rider before he mounts a bull.” She smiled, remembering the sight of Alex on Diablo’s back. “So what do you think, Sonny? Want to go to California and hang out?”
    The big horse shook a fly off his neck.
    “I know what you mean.” Bobbie moved him into a slow lope. “On the other hand, maybe you and I
should
go on out there. We’d show those city slickers a thing or two for sure.”

  RIDING  
    A horse is a large, strong, and beautiful animal. But remember, a horse is not a plaything, and it can hurt you. Always stay by the front half of a horse’s body, even when grooming or mounting. Never make any sudden movements. Horses scare easily.
    Equipment is very important to riding. Your saddle should not only fit you comfortably, it should also fit your horse, leaving it free from
gall
, or rub marks. A bit should suit your skill and your horse’s mouth. Reins should be made of a material you feel comfortable handling.
    Mount your horse from the left side, remembering to stay well away from those back hooves. Place your left foot in the stirrup, hold the reins in your left hand, grab the saddle horn, and step up. Throw your right leg over the saddle.
    Gather your reins in one hand. Leave enough slack so that you are not bearing down hard on the horse’s mouth. To go forward, gently nudge the horse with the heels of your boots. To back up, pull the reins evenly straight back toward the saddle horn. To turn right or left, simply pull the reins in the direction you want to go. Make sure you are sitting up straight. Your heels should be down.

    If you are an inexperienced rider, practice riding your horse at a walk in an enclosed area. Later you can move up to a faster gait. When you are finished with your ride, be sure to give the horse a good rubdown.

  ROPING  
    Roping is a challenging test of technique and accuracy. There are more than a hundred different brands and styles of ropes. Beginners should choose an inexpensive nylon rope. Shake the rope out in the store and see how the loop hangs. If it’s lopsided, don’t buy it.
    Start by practicing roping on the ground. If you’re lucky enough to have a plastic steer or calf head that you can stick in a bale of hay to use as a target, great. If not, you may have to choose something different. Fence posts or bicycle handlebars work just fine. (Little brothers and sisters do not!)
    Coil your rope from the straight end. If you are right-handed, hold the end with the loop in that hand, with your index finger pointed. Let the coils rest loosely in your left hand. (If you are left-handed, do the opposite.) Shake your loop out a little larger than your coils.
    Twirl your loop over your head in a flat, circular motion. Point your index finger at the target and throw the loop as if you were throwing a rock. The coils should slide through your left hand. When the loop settles around the target, pull out the slack.
    One important reminder: Horses can be dangerous. Do not attempt to rope from horseback unless both you and the horse are experienced.

Don’t miss all the exciting action!

Read the other action-packed books
in Gary Paulsen’s
WORLD OF ADVENTURE!
The Legend of Red Horse Cavern
    William Little Bear Tucker and his friend Sarah Thompson have heard the eerie Apache legend many times. Will’s grandfather especially loves to tell them about Red Horse—an Indian brave who betrayed his people, was beheaded, and now haunts the Sacramento Mountain range, searching for his head. To Will and Sarah it’s just a story—until they decide to explore a newfound mountain cave, a cave filled with dangerous treasures.
    Deep underground Will and Sarah uncover an old chest stuffed with a million dollars. But now armed bandits are after them. When they find a gold Apache statue hidden