Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-23
MlisrtIlarreous.
Saddle Horses.


1t is indeed pleasure to notice that our
people are, by degrees. .cultivating de-
sire for that most invigorating and health
giving OF all out door enjoyments-eques-
trianism. To ride well is an accomplish
ment Of which any lady or gentleman may
well be proud. though there are few in
our section OF the country who are mas
tiers of the art in all its various details.
Mounted on high-spirited and well-bred
horse, upon which the rider is at perfect
ease, graceful figure shows to the best
advantage. while it imparts that healtbful,
vigorous feeling which those who have
never experienced it have but faint con-
ceptlon Of. Who can say that beautiful
woman ever presents so attractive and
picturesque an appearance as when
mounted on noble horse? There is that
beautiful color To her cheek a. her steed
gallops along with his elastic stride, which
the butterfly bellies Of the ballroom may
well envy her. The saddle Is the doctors
enemy; it is the cur for more disorders
which suffering nature Is heir TO than most
people are aware Of: therefore, the more
that take this best Of daily exercise, the
fewer dyspeptics and subjects tor govt and
other ailments shall we have in our midst.
horse fitted for the purpose. Some peo
pie think that if horse will allow you 10
mount him, and he can be put into a smart
gallop that he is saddle horse; but this
Is a great mistake. Such people have not
been educated up to what really goes to
make up perfect saddle horse in all the
fine points, in appearance. disposition,
weight-carrying capacity, and, above all,
regulation and ease Of gait.
II has hitherto been very difficult mat
ter TO obtain. in this part Of the country.
horses which are adapted tor this use, und
even now we are obliged to 90 to Kentucky
and the southern States 10 find them. In
Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. we
probably see the art OF horsemanship both
in relation to horse and rider. carried to a
higher standard than in any other part of
the world not even excepting England.
The Kentucky srddle horse is model for
an artist; his gait and temper are per-
lection itself; a mouth Of velvet. obedient
TO the weight Of feather; indeed pos
sessing as he frequently does, fiery and
nervous temperament, yet so perfectly is
he trained, that it takes but the slightest
pressure of the riders knee. or the in
clination Of his body to change him
from one gait to another. or the smallest
touch OF finger to control him. In
gaits he has a variety, rapid walk, iox
trot, racks trot, lope and run. changing
ut the pleasure of the rider These horses
are thoroughly bitted when young, and
taught to carry a high and stylish head.
Saddle horses are not bred wholly from
thoroughbred running stock, though
many of them are nearly thorough
bred; nor is the turf II proper school from
whence to select scholars to educate for
the purpose the galIop of the race horse
is by no means the saddle gait. Some
racers turn out to be good saddle horses.
but not often. Saddle stock may be
rather regarded in measure, rs a breed
by itself, composed largely of the best
blood. from whence these models obtain
that elegance of form and finish for which
they are noticeable. 4 great deal of the
saddle stock in Kentucky is descended
from the famous tour-mile race horse.
Denmark. foaled in 1882 son of inn
ported lIedgeford. Denmark was him
self natural saddle horse. rs indeed.
were most of his stock. They possessed
great style. and fine temper; these quail
tiles they transmitted to their progeny to
n remarkable degree. and the family dis
play il To this day. The Copperbottoms,
Bald Stockings. and Tom Halls were also
favorite saddle strains among the thor
oughbrods. The rule is To select the dam
on account of her gaits. and to breed her
10 a thoroughbred horse of docile DISPOSE
ton. This ensures colt with the stay
ing qualities and fleetness of the racer. !
combined with the fine walking. racking
and pacing gaits of the dam. Training
completes the work. and the saddle caits
are soon developed to perfection.
| see no reason why some of our stock
breeders here, in New England. do not
make start. and breed some colts fitted
for the saddle. This class of horses are
bringing large prices to-day. and there is
n splendid field for n profitable venture in
raising such.-ALENhNpER. IN he Neic
England Farmer.