The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-11-14
Horseback Riding.

Every body seems convinced that a
woman never looks 50 well as man on
horseback. That is precisely our opinion
when she sits on the horse with grace,
and the horses appearance does not from
its ungainv awkwardncss or dilapidated
exterior destroy all grace. But we
think some woucn. had better never
touch horses back so far ns seeking to
win admiration is concerned, and 9th.
man may exhibit an awkwardness on
horseback that she would be ashamed to
see in friend standing or moving on her
own pedostals But We did not mean TO
make any reference to ladies on horse
back. only SO far as to express our de.
cded approval ofthe course of many pa
rents in giving their little girls time and
opportunity for fceqncnt horseback rides
Nothing can give better security for
their becoming healthy and graceful wo-
men, than this exercise.
Bat talking about grace, it is aston
ishing how few young men sit horse
with case and grace and apparent sccu.
rity. Although they may feel safe and
doubtless are safe even, on vicious an
mails. yet they do not look so to tho
spectator And how few of our country
lads. even though brought up among
horses, and really excellent riders so far
as sticking on horse's back is concern.
ed, ride with that graceful case which
mutually sets of horse and rider. There
is kind of electrical sympathy between
noble horse and a good rider, that
makes them ono for the time-wi,h quick
beating pulses, erect carriage. vigilant
eye, and nn outward consciousness Of
power But how rarely are we greeted
with such spectacle, considering the
number of meu who are daily seen on
horseback
Here is one young man with his knees
cooked up by short srirrups his heels be-
low his toes. and more the picture of u
monkey than man, Aud here is an
other on the opposite extreme, his toes
reaching far down to touch the stirrups,
and then the tips of them but resting on
that which IS intended to brace and ease
the body, though not meant to be the
dependence for security This may do
as a cockney (aShi2a, but it is neither
right by rule, nor tor grace and security
Others again stick their toes out, or
brace them in front, with body leauing
forward as if in eagerness, or backward
as if controlling a very hard mouth, or
swayiug like rou d-backed teamster
on a wheel horse. Some again preserve
a perfectly erect carriage, but their legs
and stirrup feathers are flying with the
horse's movcments,yct with braoing If,
ness, showing the rider is entirely de,
pending on the stirrup and rein for Sc.
curity.
We like the advice of writer in an
indianapolis paper, who iudplges in II lit
tie criticism after seeing the exhibitions
of riding at the County Pair. lie ap-
pears to have correct idea on the sub,
| ject of sitting on horseback. lie sug-
gests that the rider must sit erect but
fairly in the saddle his stirrups must
be just so long as that the sole of his
foot may be horizontal the inner, not
the hiHd part, of the thigh must touch
the saddle and to that end his feet mus
rest in the stirrup parallel to the horse
and to each other and finally the grand
principle that the muscles of the inner
thigh aud the knees Of tho horseman are
his dependence for the security Of BIZ
seat, not the stirrup or the Bride rein
To bear upon the rein for support is L
stifieu Tho neck Of your horse and maxi