Morning journal and courier., 1882-05-22
HOW TO MOUNT.

HOW TO MOUNT.
 Facing the near side of the horse, stand op- poste his girth take the reins in the right hand and with it 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 in sert the left foot; seize 8 lock of the mane in the left hand close to the crest of the neck turning the thumb uppermost.
 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 mane and pommel and pass the Keins into the left hand.
 After the left hand has seized the mane the horse cannot prevent the rider reaching his seat, and the rider firmly establishes himself before he withdraws the support of either hand.
 THE SEAT.
 After having reached the saddle, disengage the left foot from the stirrup. Then bearing he 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 effort, find their
 
 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 junc- tion of the sole. The toes will be raised and inserted in the stirrups as far as the balls of the 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 hat L,o1 jtuf he body to make most readily those motions that are necessary foz preserving the perpendicu ar application of the weight and for keep ing he balance. The strongest hold upon the saddle possible is with the inside thighs. There should be no pressure upon the stir rups for thls would relieve the weight, dis turb the balance and force the grip of the thighs It is no argument in favor of riding upon the stirrups that the horsemen of the east carry their knees up to the pommel of the saddle, for the Mexicans, who are better riders, extend the leg to it's full length. It is h spite of bad systems that these people who live on horseback become skilful in the man. agement of their steeds. Because circus performer standing upon one leg keeps his horse under circumstances that would pre- vent poor rider from keeping in his saddle, it does not follow that the proper way to ride Is upon one leg.
  rups having been adjusted, no changes should be made for the different circumstances under which the rider will be called upon to exercise his skill. It is bad art when the principles are not suited to every emergency, and the seat that has been found to be that in which the center of gravity can best be preserved in she high airs of the manege, where the horses make the most violent movements of the tore hand aud of the croup, should answer all requirements.
 WHEN LADIES RIDE
 Mir Anderson carries through his book the same straightforward method The chapter just quoted is followed by series of horse gymnastics and detailed instructions for the various paces, and the second part of the book is devoted to a system of exercises In the school. He thinks it 8 mistake to put children of tender age on horseback An active man may learn to ride we'll at any age, and 8 bold boy of IA, who comprehends the system upon which he is taught, will in six months become better horseman than the lad who has risen six years according to his own i6eas. It is not given to all men to excel in riding; courage, activity, perfect temper and aptitude for the exercise are requisite for the requirement. of the highest skill. But knowledge of proper method will give to every one comparative immunity from the dangers that attend horsemanship." All the general instructions apply equally to men and women riders, except that the woman's whip takes the place of the right leg of the man in guiding the horse and is to be applied for ex- actly the same purpose.
 The lady should so sit upon the horse that her weight will fall perpendicularly to the back of the horse her face directly to the front, her shoulders drawn back, and her elbows held to her sides. She will permit her body, from the hips upwards, to bend with the motions of the horse, in order that she may preserve her balance. The reins are to be held in the manner prescribed for men, the hand in front of the body, and in a line with the elbow. The whip is to be carried In the right hand, with the point towards the ground. The horse should never be struck with the whip upon the head, neck or shoul- der. To apply the aid upon those parts will tsach him to swerve, and render him nervous at the motions of the rider. In a lady's hand the whip siml ly takes the place of 8 spur for the right side. The horns of the saddle, the superhuous one at the right being dis pensed with, should be of such lengths and curvatures as will suit the rider. The right leg will hold the upright horn close in the bend in the knee, by such a pressure as the action of the horse or other circumstances will dictate. The left foot will be thrust into the stirrup to the ball of the foot, and the heel will, as rule be carried down but when the heelis elevated the upper part of the left knee should find support in the side horn, and for that end the stirrup leather will be given such length as will permit this. By the grasp given by the elevation of the left knee from the stirrup and the en- brace upon the upright horn by the right leg the rider will have as strong seat as her strength can afford, and with 8 proper bal ance she will aot he likely te find a horse that