Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-17
IN THE SADDLE.
4 Chapter frcm a New Book ON Horse.
Hnamships

Chapter frcm a New Book ON Horsc-
mamship.
Now that horsemanship is coming SO much in
vogue, both for health aud pleasure the fol-
lowing hints from o new book by Edward L.
Anderson, ION Horseback In the School 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
mounts thus:
"Facing the near side Of the horse. stand
opposite his girth; take the reins In the right
hand and with 1t grasp the pommei of the saddle
the horse.
Hold the stlrrup 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 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 name and pommel 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
Withdraws the support of either hand.
THE SEAT.
After having reached the saddle, disengaee 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. with
out 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 in
the stirrups as far az 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
breech that we have described permits the BODY
to make most readily those motions that are
necessary for preserving the perpendicular an
plication of the weight and for keeping the bal.
ance. The strongest hold upon the saddle pos
sible is with the inside thighs.
There should be no pressure upon the stirrups.
for this would relieve the weight, disturb the
balance and force the grip of the thighs. It ia
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 Next
cans, who are better riders extend the leg to its
full length. 1t is in spite Of bad systems that
these people who live on horseback become
skilful in the management of their steeds, Be-
cause circus performer standing upon one leg
keeps his horse under circumstances 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. and the stirrups
having been adjusted, no changes should be
made for the different circumstances under
which the rider will be called upon to exercise
MS skill. 1t 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 the high airs of
the manege, where the horses make the most
violent movements of the forehand and of the
Group, should answer all requirements.
WHEN LADIES RIDE.
Mr.. Anderson thinks it mistake to put chill
dren OF tender age on horseback IAN active
man may learn to ride we'll at any age. and a
bold boy of fourteen, who comprehends the sys-
tenn upon which he is taught, will in six months
become better horseman than the lad who has
been riding six years according to his own ideas.
1t Is not given to all men to excel In riding;
courage, activity, a perfect temper and aptitude
for the exercise are requisite for the acquire
ment Of the highest SKILL But a knowledge of
proper method will give to every one compare
tive Immunity from the dangers that attend
workmanship" 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 exactly the same purpose
ihe lady should 81 sit upon the horse that her
Weight VIII lall peTpen0lc0arly 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 or der that she may preserve her bal
ance. The reins are to be held in the manner
prescribed for men, the hand in front of the
body, and in 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
shoulder. To apply the aid upon those parts
Will teach him to swerve,. and render him ner-
vous at the motions of the rider. In a lady's
nand the whip simply takes the place of q spur
forthe right side. The horns of the saddle the
superfiuous one at the right being dispensed
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 pressure as the action of the horse or
other circumstances will dictate. The left foot
Will be thrust into the stirruD to the ball of the
foot, and the heel will, as a rule, be carried
down; but when the heel is elevated the upper
part OF the left knee should find support in the
de-hOrn, and for that end the stirrup-leather
will be given such a length as will permit this
By the grasp given by the elevation Of the left
knee from the strrup and the embrace upon the
upright horn by the right leg the rider will have
as strong seat as her strength can afford, and
with q proper balance she will not be likely to
ind q horse that will nnSoaf hor