Bucking horses used in rodeos and wild west shows, contrary to public opinion, are not trained, but "spoiled," according to Russ Madison, South Canyon rancher, who has handled many rodeos in the Black Hills. Midnight, Five Minutes to Midnight, and Steamboat, who have held their own with the best cowboys in the west are "spoiled," he said. In other words, the horses are fearful of riders and men. They fight saddles and bridles. They are not to be broken unless the person in charge knows what he is doing. In all the years that Madison has handled horses, he said, he has not known a horse that could not be broken if the rider finally brought it under subjugation.

Naturally "Ornery" According to Madison most of the horses used in rodeos come from the range and are just naturally "ornery." Bucking horses have good blood, or they would not have the fire and ginger needed in the exhibition arena.

Midnight, famous bucker of the McCarty and Elliot string of Chugwater, Wyoming, has thrown every man who has attempted to ride him and crippled several. He probably never will be ridden, Madison said, until he is much older and quieter. One of the best horses in South Dakota was killed last summer at Custer when it suffered a broken blood vessel.

Rodeo associations in the Back Mts. prohibit the use of artificial means of stimulating buckers as they come out of the chutes, Madison said. On a few occasions electricity was used but it was prohibited.