Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1888-12-06
How to Sit On q Horse.

Washingt on Star: "'rhe best riders
in the world" said an old cavalryman
who was giving a greenhorn some
points on equestrianism, "are the
Mexicans. Buffalo Bills cowboys are
splendid riders, but the Mexicans are
better still. And their superiority is
part due to the kind of saddle they
use. That low English saddle you've
got there" he continued, ~ couldn't
ride IN. 1t isn't fit for a man to ride
in. Now. the great beauty OF the
Mexican saddle is that II man sitting
in it has his legs almost straight down
beside the horse, like a clothes-pin.
\ Mexican on horseback keeps his
heels and shoulders nearly in line, his
feet planted firmly in his stirrups
underneath him and pointing straight
ahead, parallel with the horse. Our
Met lcllan saddle would he as good a.
the Mexican saddle if it only had the
stlrrups placed "a couple of inches
further back. As il is, n man riding
IN Mcclellan saddle has to bend his
leg at the knee in the English style.
Now. with the knee bent it is almost
impossible to keep your feet pointed
straight ahead.
This position OF the feet the
impromptu riding-mastcr continued,
alter palislng "a moment to allow his
casual pupil To absorb what he had
already said. 'is II very important
thing IN learning To ride properly. Ia
Tact, IT l. the thing. And Vet nine
hS of .he riders YOU SEE about the
streets and country roads every day
have their toes turned AT an angle of
- degrees from the side OF the horse.
~ II consequence, these riders can't
have firm seat, and don't enjoy the
exercise hall a. much rs hey would if
they rode properly"
How Is II the way the toes point
has So much To do with good riding ,"
a star reporter who happened to he
on hand. inquired.
80 sii firmly ON horse and ut the
same time to have the body erect and
free to give with the horses motion, -
the cavalryman said, "Iou must grip
the animals side with your knees.
MOI with the calves OF the legs mind.
ii'i WIN Aiit iiilBll>. Dili VII u the Knee
alone. Now, ii you don't keep your
toes pointing straight ahead or nearly
50, II Is Impossible to get the grip with
the knees. Turn your toes out, and
you will lind ut once that YOU grip the
horse with the calves OF your legs, and
that your body is thrown forward
from the hips, nstead OF being erect
Experiment IA little when you get on
your horse, and you'll see it works
lust as say. But ii you keep your
I'tT STTUTg1r, NOM rTghr WIFI VOnr
knees, and sit erect. you will find you
can accommodate yourself to the
motions oi the horse more readily and
gracefully. your seat will lie iirmer, and
riding will not tire you nearly so
quickly.
iii you will notice old cavalrymen
when they walk the gentleman con-
tlnued, ''you will see that instead OF
spreading their feet apart they keep
them parallel. Til, j. the result of
their habit of riding, and it often
makes them ungraceful on their feet.
The best and most graceful rider ]
knew was General Ashby, who was
killed during the war. ] never saw
any man who looked so handsome on
horseback. on OF horse, however,
he walked like duck and was so
clumsy that he couldn't get into "a
parlor without falling over all the
furniture in sight.
~ Mexican astride his high-curved
saddle with his legs hanging straight
down, rides a. easily n, ii he were sit
ting ina rocking chair, and at the same
time IT is almost impossible to unseat
him. He l. clothes pinned on to the
the horse and the latter can't get
from under him. But n man riding on
"a flat English saddle with short stir
rup>. his legs bent at the knees and
his toes turned out, has no chance
when his horse jumps suddenly. He
Is IN cramped position, and is almost
sure To he thrown forward on the
horses neck or over his head