The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-07-23
SADDLE ETIQUETTE. ind
IT'D. fH,
HORSEBACK RIDERS.

| When - Gentleman Passes a Lady -
Avoid The Groom. 'l
Ii gooi nature is the quality most essen.
tial to mounting in pleasing manner, tina
| which will cause a lady 10 shine most on thu
road is kindness such a statement vii
perhaps brin5 a smile to the lips OF some
ddsnlng girl VINO thinks that she has other
means of pleasing, once mounted on a spir-
ited horse, than the pra tice of any of the
Christian virtues; but the writer, after
many years experience with ama5ons both
young and old, bolieI IS it to be literally
true
One might hardly supi,ose 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, as
well as human beings, and the selfish horse,
like the selfish man, unless he is prevented
will imperceptibly crowd his patient com.
pnnion into the ruts, when the rider will get
tue credit or discredit of the action An
otner too common piece of thoughtlessness
IS the splaShing at full speed through mud
puddles, the result of which is naturally
more apparent to ones neighbors than to
ones self Ii to an equestrian, however,
oelnG splashed or spattered is annoying, to
a pedestrian it is nothing less than exasper-
atIng. and such a one will LOOK after the
person guilty of the rudeness with eyes of
anything but admiration. One can not be
Too careful, indeed, when riding near pedes-
trans, as they are decidedly susceptible
under such circumstances an likely to take
otleuse; AMI especially is caution require |
where women and children are concerned,
for it is impossible to conjecture what they
VIII dc ii suddenly startled by the rapid
approach of horses.
A GOOD ENGLISH RULE
Tho English rule, not only for country
riding but for the park or other public
places and an excellent one it Isl, requires
gentleman to pull up AMI pass a lady, if
alone, at a walk, whether she he on foot or
on horseback, and though more latitude may
be allowed lady, she should not gallon UP
suddenly behind another lady who is alone,
as a nervous horse might be so excited as
to cause great uneaslneSS to timid rider
If You should unfortunately produce such a
result, by all means pause and express re-
greet, and if your horse is quiet, offer to ride
w. " low minutes btSilS luC SulbTGT-lOT SO
Sue may he called. In passing on the road,
the rule is, when meeting, to keep to the
right, but when overtaken, to pass to the
lett, and III like manner, when overtaken,
to keep to the right, SO as to leave the road
free at your LETT The only exception to
this rule is in the case of led horses, which.
as they are often inclined TO kick, should
he avoided by passing next to the one rid
den When approaching lady III public
place a gentleman should always do so On
the of OF right side
1t is well never to canter a carriage horse
unless You know him we'll and are sure he
will not thus be rendered unsteady in har-
ness, and IN like manner you should be con-
siderate of your escort or companions, and
not urge their horses beyond their proper
gait a good way to do, if YOU are much
the best mounted of tie party, is now and
then. when the road is suitable, to gallon
on and return again 1t looks well to see a
lady cantering beside gentleman who is
trottng but the reverse never seems quite
good form, and especially when it is evident
that the gentleman's horse is galloping be
cause he has been pushed OF his legs
MISCELLANEOUS SUGGESTIONS
borrowed horse should be scrupulous.y
ridden exactly as the owner wishes, and the
owners desires ought to lie respectfully as
certained IN advance. For cross country
rldin- the stirrups should lie taken up at
least one hole, and the same is advisable in
mounting a strange horse
1t is not we'll TO let your horse crop the
leaves or grass, as kind hearted riders Der
init him TO do sometimes, for il soils his
lips and bit, giving him a slovenly air, and
you run the risk of his wiping them OH Your
habit before you part from him Avoid let
ting your horse drink unless he really would
be better for the retreshment as he can
hardly do So without wetting the curb
reins, making them stiff and dirty-lookin.-
Tbs groom should never canter any horse
unless instructed expressly to do so, but |
should trot in business Ike way. rising |
in his stirrups, or, if necessary, should gal |
op, sitting straight, with hands low and |
ieet thrust home. In all CASES he should |
ook straight forward, without appearing to |
notice what goes on around him Nothing |
ouAs IN worse form than groom sitting |
a4ly back on a cantaring horse, and cast |
ng glanceS at the admiring nursery maids |
along the way. When summoned to his |
mistress, he should touch his hat to acknowl- |
'ige receipt of the command, and should |
'lde quickly up on the off side, where he |
houid listen III respectful attitude with |
yes cast down, then, touching his hat |
gam, depart to carry out her orders II.
j. NJ III Harper's BaZar.