St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-08
WOMEN ON TsORSEBACK.
Hints for Habits and Secure Seats
ALI Sorts of SRddies

Hints for Habits and Secure Seats i'm
ALI Sorts of Saddles.
English women take naturally to horse
back riding, but it is too much of an art to
be undertaken hastily by the average Ameri-
can girl, who dons habit much as she
would ball dress. In the matter of attire
various authors make valuable suggestions,
but as they must vary in some few partic-
ulars at fashions dietum, they need not be
given here, where women who do ride al
ways employ the best tailor and have their
points" copied faithfully from the best
London standards. The hunting gear is
different from that worn in the park or on
the road. But simplicity is the first consid-
Grafton in the choice of either dress. an
comfort, above everything else. One who is
intent on following the hounds prepares her
self with serviceable habits, perfectly cut,
a neatly-made waterproof jacket, as also a
cape with an elastic band from the back to
fasten around the waist and hold the front
ends securely down. AS Americans have
not arrived at the real art of hunting under
all skies and in all weathers, these details
are scarcely important except for the few
women who ride to hounds on this side of
the Atlantic.
10 llOU UuC UCSU GllllO W
| the art of riding. The muscles are too
young and the back too weak. The spine
| is apt to grow crooked unless second sad
die be adopted, which enables the learner
to sit On alternate days on the off side of
the horse, and to this there are many objec-
| tions. 1t is generally accepted idea
! among English people that riding is like
| music and literature-the earlier it is learned
the better for the learner, and the more
certain the proficiency desired to be obtained
This is an erroneous idea, to be discarded
| at once.
| Children are generally put ON ponies and
horses of a sheep-lke nature, and from
| being accustomed to such and none other,
they are nervous and frightened when
mounted upon spirited animals, which they
| feel they have not the strength nor the art
| to manage, and being unused to the science
Of controlling, they suffer themselves to be
controlled, and thus eXtinguish their chance
| of becoming accomplished horsewomen.
| There are women who ride with a great
show of boldness and tear wildly across
country after hounds, averring that they
never knew what fear meant. Why should
| they-havng ridden from the time they
were fve-year-olds? But the bravery of
the few is nothing by which to judge of a
system which u.s. on the whole. pernicious.
1t is less Objectionable for boys, because
their shoulders are not apt to grow awry by
sitting sideways, as little girls do, nor are
they 10th to hang over on one side.
nor have they such delicate frames and
weakly fingers to bring to the front.
Moreover, if they tumble off, what matter?
1t does them all the good in the world.
But it is not pleasant to see a little girl
come off.
Carriage is indispensable in riding; it
must be there at the outset All other diff
iculties may be got over, but a natural tim
idness is an insurmountable obstacle. If
you are coward your horse will soon find
it out, and will laugh at you; for horses can
and do laugh when they, what is generally
termed ''gammon'' their riders. A
cowardly rider labors under two-fold dis
advantage, for she not only suffers from her
own cowardice, but actually imparts it to
her horse. An animals keen instinct tells
him at once whether his master or his SER
want is upon his back. The moment your
hands touch the reins the horse knows what
your courage is and usually acts accord
ingly. No girl should be taught to ride
who has not taste, and a most decided
one. for the art. A love of horses and an
earnest desire to acquire the art of riding
are alike necessary to success.