Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-11-13
OUR CRAZY QUILT.
Ride.-Prudcnce In the Choice
of n Husband.
Critical Periods In Girl Life.-Fawn
Colored Cloth Taking the Place
of Gray.
LADIES ON HORSEBACK.

LADIES on HORSEBACK.
II. L. De Bussigny. in his new book
for horsewomen, says:
young ladies learning 10 ride
should use their own saddles, rs mis-
fit here is as awkward as clumsy shoes.
Riding on n short saddle leads 10 q
cramped and ungraceful seat. The
correct size should allow for the space
of three fingers between the end of the
saddle and the base of the spine, when
the right knee is around the second
pommel. Girths usually hold better If
crossed. A lady's saddle is well placed
when there is space of q breadth of
four fingers between the right side and
the upper end of the shoulder. The
custom of riding with the reins held in
one hand has grown out of the training
for army riding. where the right hand
is needed for other work. In ordinary
riding there is no need of following
this rule. Often quicker and more
skillful turn can be made when both
hands have hold of the reins.
"When lady wants TO mount she
should pass to the left side of her horse,
pass her whip quietly TO her attendant,
then turn and face in the same direc-
ton as her horse, let her skirt fall, put
her right hand on the second pommel
of her saddle, her left hand on the shoul-
der of her assistant, if she has one, who
is supposed to be STOPPING in front of
her, and her left foot the knee being
bent, into his left hand. Then she
should count three-one to prepare to
spring and to feel firm on her right foot,
two to bend her right knee. and at
three she should spring stoutly from
her right leg, Strengthening also her
left as she rises and steading herself by
a slight pressure on the shoulder of her
assistant, who rises as she springs.
She must be careful not to push his
hand away with her left foot. AS she
rises she should turn her body slightly
to the left, and if she has calculated
rightly. and all goes well. she will find
herself seated in the saddle facing to
the left. She will then shift her right
hand from the second to the first POM
mel, turn her body from left to right,
lift her right leg over the second POM
mel, put her left foot into the stirrup,
gather the ribbons into her left hand
and canter away. The only known
way for lady to mount alone, without
chair or step of any kind, is to
lengthen the stirrup, and, placing the
left foot in it, holding the second POM
mel with her right hand, to spring
strongly from the right foot into the
saddle. 1t is difficult, but worth learn
ing. 1t is easier for lady to dismount
than to mount without help. But there
is usually man around and then it is
pleasant and feasible.
Experience has shown that it is ea-
sier for q pupil to keep her shoulders
on the same line and sit square if she
holds q line in each hand. The follow
ing rules should be learned by heart:
The head straight, easily turning on
the shoulders in any direction without
involving movement of the body.
The eyes fixed straight to the front.
looking between the horses ears, and
always in the direction in which he is
going. The upper part of the body
easy. flexible, and straight. The lower
part of the body firm, without stiffness.
The shoulders well back and on the
same line. The arms falling naturally.
The forearm bent. The wrists on
level with the elbows. The rens held
in each hand. The fingers firmly closed
facing each other, and with the thumbs
extended on the ends OF the lines. The
right foot falling naturally on the POM
mel of the saddle, the left foot in the
stirrup without leaning on it. The
part of the right leg between the knee
and the hip joint should be turned on
its outer or right side, and should press
throughout its length on the saddle.
The knees in their respective positions
should be continually in contact, with
out exception. The lower or movable
part of the leg plays upon the immova-
BILE at the knee joint, the sole exception
being when the rider rises to the trot
at which time the upper part of the leg
leaves the saddle"