Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-02
Saddle Horses.

The american StOchnad,l has some interest
quote as follows: To the man who travels over
the face OF the earth, migrating from country
to country, nothing will appear as more eX-
comes in contact .withal than their various
methods Of riding horses. While the Arab is
the ancient ideal OF perfect hOrseman, yet our
own country probably furnishes as great va
rlety and styles OF craftsmanship as all the ma
TONS OF the world put together. Let us take
nasty glance at the different patterns our coun-
try affords: In Mexico, Texas and the extreme
southern states the style Of riding is quite
unique. On the other side of the Mississippi
river suitable costume is quite Indispensable.
me bride Is armed with a curb-bit Of terrific
pommel to ease the strain OF the lariat or
the elbows OF the sleepy rider common
n r1h g1rth would never do in such scenttnc
cunning twist from long loose strap that
has been sprung" upon until the band is as
tight as wax: We are all, at least in pictures
breeches and large silver spurs with their at
tacned ''iingles." This rider In his appoint.
ments and horsemanship Is certainly worthy o,
hne and sracef 1or n ne ways LOOKS lat
on the most yeritable plug OF mustang. 1t is
seldom, however, that his charger calls forth
anything but feeling OF pity from the edu-
Gated horseman. The native breeds of those
sections is long way of from the ideal saddle
horse Of the middle states. In Tennessee, Ken
lucky and Virginia we probably see the art
horse and rider carried to a higher standard
than in any other part of the world Here
we find the horse bred for generatio
under the most enlightened rules for breeding
and with the sole purpose In view of making
him the perfection of a saddle horse. In physf.
cal features he is model OF the artist. In gaitS
rack, trot, lope and run. changing from one
motion to the other at practiced signal from
the rider. In temper perfect. quick and CON-
nrehenslve. This is point which no one tut
iafn tho ,rJ ,ra
lines are actually useless with him. A
him you wish the gait quickened; settling
s.acken the gait; slight bending of the
body In the saddle, with a little pressure
OF the opposite knee; and perhaps an un-
rection you wish to turn is all the management
be needs The lines are never pulled to turn
him right or left, but pressed against the Side
OF the neck opposite the direction you wish to
turn. Leaning forward In the saddle puts him
IN fast walk or fox trOt. To put him In a
rack the bride reins are pulled taut, while the
heels bring the spur pressure to his sides. To
make him trot, the reinS and heels are let
loose, the hands pressed upon the withers, and
the body slightly raised In the saddle until
he gets settled In his gait. To make him canter
ln the air. These are not the Inventions OF a
single individual, but the universal custom
among those who train saddle horses In the
We now come to the rider of this perfected
saddle horse. He sits In his seat with an easy
comfortable grace that shows his familiarity
with 1t from earliest boyhood. The stfrrups are
SO long that his toes barely rest with ease in
them. while his heels turn slightly outward, re-
neVlng his appearance OF extreme awkwardness
that is so often seen in riders whose toes point
at right angles with the horses sides. These
horses are thoroughly bitted when young and
tnus taught to carry high and stylish head, so
that when In full motion, with the favorite gait.
rack, and bestr1d by this superb rider. the
Whole makes picture that challenges our high
est admiration.