Retozo

Sooner or later a cowboy always suffers his horse getting loose with the saddle on. Cowboys get bucked off or their horses get away from them and make them walk.

The first act the horse performs to celebrate his getting loose is usually the “retozo,’ a little running and bucking dance of pure enjoyment, The stirrups flapping emptily at his sides tickle him and bring a more full realization that he has freed himself of the day’s work.

A horse accomplished at getting loose with the saddle on will walk along just ahead of the cowboy, his head turned aside so he won’t step on his trailing reins.