Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-06-06
IN THE SADDLE.
A Chapter from a New Book
on Horsemanship.

Horseback in tn Schoo. and on the
Road" will be OF interest to many
His chapter on the mount and the seat
will give an idea of his methods and
manner Of teaching. He should mount
thus:
"Facing the near side of the horse,
stand opposite his girth; take the reins
in the right hand and with 1t grasp the
pommel of the saddle, shortening the
reins until you feel the mouth of the
horse.
Hold the stirrup with the left hand
and insert the left foot; seize lock of
the name in the left hand close to the
crest of the neck, turning the thumb up
permost.
Rise in the stirrup, aided by both
hands, until the left leg is Strengthened;
carry over the right leg and sink into
the saddle.
When the seat is obtained release the
holds upon the name and, pass the reins
into the left hand.
After the left hand has seized the
name the horse cannot prevent the rider
/ reaching his seat, and the rider firmly
establishes himself before he wthdraws
the support of either hand.
| THE SEAT.
After having reached the saddle, dis
engage the left foot from the stirrup.-
Then bearing the weight Of the body
| upon the buttocks, make the inner sides
of the thigh, from the knee up, grasp
the saddle. The body must be held
erect, the shoulders thrown back, and
the chin drawn in; and the elbows
should be carried close to the sides. The
legs, from The knee down, should hang
without stiffness, and the feet will,
without the least effort, find their proper
place, parallel with the body of the
horse.
The length of the stirrup- leather will
be found when the tread of the iron
strikes the heel of the boot Immediately
above the junction of the sole, The toes
will be raised and inserted III the slirrups
MS far as the balls Of lhe feet.
The stability of the seat is dependent
upon the weight Of the body, the balance
and the grasp of the Thighs. The erect
seat upon the brcech that we have de-
scribed permits the body TO make most
readily those motions that are necessary
for preserving the perpendicular appli-
cation of the weight and for keeping the
|
saddle possible Is with the inside thighs.
There should be no pressure upon the
slirrups, for this would relieve the
weight, disturb the balance AMI force the
grip of the thighs. H. is no argument in
favor of riding upon the stirrups that the
hOrsemcn of the cast carry their kncsS up
to the pOmmcl of the saddle for the Mex
leans, who are better riders, extend the
leg to full length. It is in spite of bad
systems that those people who live on
horseback become skilllul In the man
ngement of their stcCds. Because Il circus
performer standing upon one leg Keeps
his horse underCrcumstnnccs that would
prevent poor rider from Keeping in his
saddle, 1t does not follow that the proper
way to ride Is upon one leg.
The seat having been found, aud the
sllrrVpS having been adjusted, no chang
cs should be made Cor the different cir
cunlslauces under which the rldcr will
be- called upon to exercise his skill. 1t
is bad art when the principles are not
suited lorvery emergency, and the scat
that has been found TO be that in which
the center Of gravity can be preserved IN
the high airs of the nanege, where the
horses make the most violent movements
of the forehand and OF the Group, Should
answer all requirements. .a|
WHEN LADIES RIDE.
Mr.. Anderson thinks 1t q mistake TO
put children Of tender Ngc on horseback
"An active man may learn to rifle well
nj any age, aud bold hoy of fourteen,
who comprchends the system upon
which lie Is taught, VIII In six months
become better horscmHn than the lad
who has been riding six years according
to his own ideas. II Is not given 10 all
men to excel IN riding; courage, actiy-
ity, perfect temper aud aptitude for
the exercise are requisite for the acquire
mcnt of the highest skill. But u kn0wl-
edge of II proper method will give 20
every one comparative Immunity from
the dangers that attend horacmnnship.
T, All the general instructions apply equal
~ men and women ridcrs, except that
the woman's whip takes the place of the
right leg of the mnn In guiding the
horse and Is 10 be applied for exactly the
/ same purpose. .|'|
/ The lady should slt upon the horse
that her weight will fall perpendicular
! " 10 the back Of the horse her face d.
/ rcctly to the front, her shoulders drawn
back, aud her elbows held TO her sides.
She will permit her body, from the hips
upwards, 10 bend with the motions of
, the horse, In order that she may pre-
serve her balance. The relns are to be
held In the manner prescribed for men,
the hand IN front Of the body, and IN n
= line with the elbow. The whip II 10 be
carried In the right hand, with the point
towards the ground. The horse should
& never be struck with whip upon the head
d neck or shoulder. 10 apply the aid up
! Oh those parts will teach him 10 swerve
: and render him nervous at the motions
= OF tie rider. In lady's hand the whip
|, simply takes The place Of spur for the
- right side. The horns Of the saddle, the
= supcrlluous one nj the right being dis
I pcnsed With, should be of such lengths
!, aud curvalurcs ns will suit the rider.
N The right leg will hold the upright horn
i close IN the bend IN the knee, by such n
:, pressure ns tho action Of the horse or
/, other circumstances will dictate. The
~ left foot viii be thrust into the pilrrup
10 the ball Of the foot nnd the heel wifi,
ns rule be carried down but when the
|. heel IA elevated the upper pnrt of the
~ left knee should find support In the side.
" !" horn. aud for that end The stlrrup.lcalh-
4, er vii be- given such length as will
t. permit this. by The grasp given BY the
M elevation Of the left knee from tho stir.
!, rup mud the embrace upon the upright
\, horn by the right Log tho rider win have
~ strong n seat M her strength rnn NJ.
ford, aud with proper balance she will
not be likely 10 ilnJ a horse that will IN.
scat her."