Therefore I "rode bog" every day up and down the river.

When I found an animal in the mud I had to rope it by the horns or feet and drag it by main force to solid ground.

A stout, well-trained horse was needed.

It was hard, dirty work and exasperating, as many of those you pulled out never got up again, and if they did would invariably charge you.

No special tackle was used; you remain in the saddle, wrap the rope round the horn and dig the spurs in.