Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-07-17
Horseback Riding.


ject of horseback riding-whether as
promoter Of health and and an in
surer of long life, as a noble, invigor-
ating, delightful amusement-it de-
serves great deal more attention
than it receives. 4 recent writer in
Once q Week. says that England may
be divided into two classes, viz: those
who ride on hoseback, and those who
would do so if they had the MEANS
BY those who are unacquainted with
the passionate fondness Of John Bull
for all sports in which the horse takes
part, (and in England the horse is
never used for sport except under the
saddle the language Of the above
writer may be considered as hyper
bolical, but it is substantially true
The general neglect Of horseback rid
ing in this country may be regarded
as one of the direct causes Of that lack
of physical vigor and stamina which is
thought to characterize the people of
the United States, and we know Of no
form of exercise the general adoption
of which would be so likely to correct
the admitted physical exhaustion re-
sulting from our driving mode of do
ing business.
This general disregard of the very
best of all forms of exercise, and the
most exhilarating and satisfying of re-
creations, may be easily traced to the
peculiar habits and pursuits of our
people, the practical and business-like
nature of which can only be accom-
modated by the harness and carriage.
Subordinate to this cause is the lack
of we'll trained saddle horses, which
would not exist if there was any con-
siderable demand to be supplied. 1t
is great mistake to suppose that any
nag which can be safely bestridden by
man, and made to trot or canter at
will, is saddle horse. When our
horse breeders pay more attention to
training for the saddle, the demand
for horses will be increased. Many
would ride who now find no comfort
or pleasure in bestriding the shambl-
ing, loose gated horses which are
often kept for saddle use at livery
stable.
Upon the sanitary benefits to be de-
rived from exercise in the saddle we
need not comment. This is a subject
well understood by all classes, and the
practice is daily advised by physicians
as a specific in many ailments which
medicines cannot reach. Gymnastics,
cricket, boating, walking, &c, are all
excellent modes of exercise, some one
Or all of which should occupy the at
tenton of those who would enjoy per-
feet health, but neither one nor all of
them can be compared with the daily
practice Of horseback riding, as an in
vigorator of the system, particularly in
certain classes of diseases engendered
by sedentary occupation. The proper
amount of exercise by the usual modes
can only be obtained at the expense Of
muscular effort, which, after the novel
ty wears off, becomes mere laborious
drudgery. Horseback riding is en-
tirely free from this objection. The
use of the horse in any form is never a
drudgery to him who really loves the
animal, and horseback riding calls into
play so many Of the attributes of the
mind that it must always be consider
ed the perfection of recreation and
exercise combined 1t demands the
exercise of prudence and torethought
in the general management and care
of the horse intelligence and skill in
teaching him his PAGES and the best
way of using his powers for our adj
vantage. 1t teaches presence of mind,
courage, quickness of eye, GOODNESS in
danger, self-reliance, and manly
bearing, 1t brings eye and limb and
will into harmony, and makes the
morale and the physique work to-
gether for health and happiness.
The present is inst the time for
equestrianism. The weather is in
vigorating, and the mornings are fine
and cool. We urge upon all who can
afford it (and money thus expended
returns compound interesD to hire or
buy a horse. Be up in the morning
with the lark, and off ''over the hills
and far away until breakfast time,
when you will have an appetite that
will astonish those who have played
the sluggard, and you will go to your
business with vigor that can be OBJ