The free South. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-12
How a Soldier Rides.

The civilized world over he rides much
the same his head and neck are erect,
yet flexible upon his shoulders these are
square, and equally thrown back, expand
ing his chest the small of his back well
in, supporting the loins, which, though
Strengthened, are perfectly supple, ac-
commodating the body to every motion
of the horse. The arms to the elbow fall
naturally and close to the side, the left
forearm bent, and with the wrists as high
as the elbow or belt; the sword arm,
when not engaged, falling easily and
close to tie body. The buttochS bear
upon the saddle in other words. the sol
der is seated in the saddle, resting the
weight of his body i'll it, and as far for
ward as possible. His legs fall naturally
with a gentle bend at the knee: his
sthighs are turned upon their flats, and to
the knee cleave to the horse from the
knee down the leg is flexible upon the
Joint, permitting him to indicate to the
horse the movements he wills. The ball
of the foot rests in the stirrups, and there
sustains the weight of the leg only his
heel is sunk, his toe raised, and the en-
tire foot parallel to the horses flank. At
whatever gait lie is going, his hold on the
bride is light, just feeling the horses
mouth. Thus seated, with comparative
comfort to himself and horse, he makes
the long and tedious march, the rapid
raid, the impetuous charge, controls the
nervous steed, and with ease makes him
obeIient to his viii. Having given
an idea of the position he should take
when in the saddle, we will retrograde 4
a step, and tell him how he can best get
there. Approach your horse obliquely,
from off the left shoulder adjust your
stirrups by the length from the tip OF the
middle finger when resting on the tongue
of the buckle) to tie pit OF the arm.
Place the reins of the saGt7e oil the
pummel of the saddle with the assistance
of the right hand, engage the reins of the
curb in the left, separating them by the
little finger, the left rein being on the
cutsiae, and the right one between the
little and the fourth fingers pass the
loose ends over the foretinger, and be-
tween it and the thumb at the san
time, with the left hand grasp q lock of
the name; put the ball of your left foot
Ill tue otlllup iSSV Jun iiEho manu- u Poh
the cantle O the saddle ; spring lightly
from the right foot, raising yourself to
your full height in the stirrup don't
sprawl over the horses neck remove
the right hand, passing the leg over the
Group; sit lightly in the saddle, without
looking down raise the toe and find the
right stirrup leave go the name slip
the bride hand along the reins until it is
as near as may be over the pummel of
the saddle, and at the height of the
waist at the same time, pass the reins
of the snaffile into the palm of the lett
hand, the right rein passing over the fore,
the left under the little finger and there
we will leave it dangling until it is re-
quired for use. The thumb of the bride
hand should be up; the little finger or
lower part of the hand drawn or rounded
in by slight turn of the wrist, SO that
you may see the nails of every finger.
Unhapply, We can't tell at once things