Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-07-03
SADDLE ETIQUETTE.
HINTS IN POLITENe5S OF VALUE to
HORSEBACK RIDERS.

'''N' ~ Nv = ~ - @NGoo VT VALUE ! y
HORSEBACK RIDERS.
Too Common Plece of Thou ghtIessnes.
When "A Gentleman Passes u Lady
Riding q Borrowed Horss-Things &c
AvoId-The Groom.
II good nature is the quality most essen
tial TO mounting in a pleasing manner that
which will cause lady to shine most on the
road Is kininess Such a statement will
perhaps bring a smile to the lips o some
dashing girl who thinks that she has other
means Of pleasing, once mounted on a splrs
tied horse, than the pra .tice Of any Of the
Christian virtues; but the writer after
many years experience with ama ,ons both
young and old, believes it TO be literally
true
One migh hardly suppose it necessary to
mention so elementary a rule of politeness
as that which bids US, when We ride in com
pany, not to keep always in the best part OF
the road; but horses are sometimes selfish, a
well as human beings. and the selfish horse,
like the selfish man, unless he is prevented,
will Imperceptlbly crowd his patient com
panion into the ruts, when the rider will get
iiic NIculL VI ulsCTollI Vi tnc Al
other too common piece Of thoughtlessnesS
Is the splashing at full spsed through mud
puddles, the result of which is naturally
more apparent to ones neighbors than to
ones self II TO an equestrian, however,
being splashed OF spattered Is annoying, to
a pedestrian it is nothing less than exasper-
ating. and such a one will look after the
person gully Of the rudeness with eyes Of
anything but admiration Ons can not be
too careful, indeed, when riding near pedes-
trIans, they decidedly susceptible
under such circums, ances, and likely to take
Otfense; ami especially /, caution required
where women and children concerned
for it is impossible to con lecture what they
will do ii suddenly startled by the rapid
approach Of horses
A GOOD ENGLISH RULE
The English rule not only for country
riding but for the park or other public
places and an excellent one it is, re- Iuires a
gentleman TO pull up AMI pass lady, il
alone at a walk, whether she be on foot or
on horseback, and thouSh b more latitude may
lie allowed lady, she should no; gallop up
suddenly behind another lady who Is alone,
a nervous horse might be 50 excited as
to cause great uneaslnesS to a timid rider
II you should unfortunately produce such a
result, by all means pause and express re
greet and il your horse is quiet, offer to ride
for few minutes beside the Sufferer-for SO
she may be called In passing on the road,
the rule is, when meeting, TO keep to ths
right, but when overtaken, TO pass to the
le t, and in like manner, when overtaken,
TO keep to the right, SO as to leave the road
free at your let The only exception TO
this rule is in the case of led horses, which,
as they are often inclined 20 kick, should
lie avoided by passing next 10 the one rid
den When approaching a lady in Il public
place a gentleman should always do so on
the off or right side,
Ii is well never TO canter a carriage horse
unless you know him well, and sure he
will not thus be rendered unsteady in har.
ness, and in ike manner you should be con.
siderate OF your escort or companions, and
not urge their horses beyond their proper
gait A good way 10 do, If you are much
the best mounted Of the party. is now ami
then. when the road is suitable, TO gallop
on and return again 1t looks well to sse a
lady csntering beside gentleman who is
trotting: but the reverse never seems quit
good form, and especially when it is evident
that the gentleman's horse is galloping 10
cause he has been pushed OF his legs
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS
A borrowed horse should be scrupulously
ridden exactly as tue owner wishes and the
owners desires ought to lie respectfully As
certained in advance For cross country |
ridin the stirrups should lie taken up At !
least one hole. and the same Is advisable III |
mounting a strange horse
IL is not we'll to let your horse crop the /
leaves or grass, as kind hearted riders per
init him to do sometimes, for II soils his !
lips and bit, giving him q slovenly air, and
you run the risk OF his wIping them ON your
haiti before you part from him Avoid let |
ting your horse drink unless he really woull
be better for the refreshment, a. he can .
hardly do so without wetting the curb /
reins, making them stiff and dirty looking
The groom should never canter any horsr /
unless instructed expressly to do 50, but
should trot in q business like way, rising !
in his stirrups, or. If necessary, should gai
!op, sitting straight, with hands low and .
feet thrust home In all cases he shouli .
look straight forward, without appearing to
notice what goes OH around him Nothing
looks in worse form than u groom sitting .
lazily back on a cantsring horse, and cast
ing glances at the admiring nurssry maids .
along the way. When summoned to his |
mistress he should touch his hat to acknowi
eIge receipt OF the command, and sho Ild .
ride quickly up on tine off side, where he
should listen in q respectful attitude with .
eyes cast down, then, touching his hat
again, depart TO carry out her orders II .
Il NJ" in Harper's Bazar.