Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-11-14
THE TEXAS MUSTANG.
Tho Most scrviceabIc Horse to Ride ON
the Prairie.

Tho Most Serviceablc Horse to Ride on
the Prairie.
He is q small, hardy little animal, usually
good tempered and easy gated. think II
he were used more in cities for pleasure
riding he would soon become great favor
lite with all equestrians. Ny horse, saddle
and style of riding is very different from
what is usually seen in cities, but venture
to say that if they were tried all would
agree with me that know what-was COM
Portable, says a Western writer to the st.
Louis Post Dispatch. The saddle use Is the
stock saddle. 1t is generally used on the
plains. 1t is large and comfortable, and has
a high pommel in front. 1t is made to sit
on. This saddle, of course, is securely
strapped on the horse, and then the next
thing 70 do is to get into it. l take the reins
in my left hand, holding them short, place
my left foot in the stirrup, put my hand on
the pommel of the saddle and then quickly
raise myself in the stirrup, swing my right
foot over the horses back and drop into the
seat This can all be done quicker than 1t
takes to tell, and so quickly that am in the
saddle and have control of the horse almost
before he knows what is going to happen.
When in the saddle sit firmly and erect
My weight is partly in the stirrups, which
have long enough to rest my feet in when
my legs are hanging straight down. get
hold on the horse by gripping him with
my legs from the hip to the knee
The prettiest way to ride Is TO sit
on your horse so well that you move
as he moves aud both appearing as one
A fancy way Of riding may be all
very well for parks, but it would never do
in rough country. Sitting as l do can
ride as long as the horse can carry me with.
out feeling any i'll effects. have fire.
quently been in the saddle from morning
till night and have ridden sixty or sevsnty
miles in day and across rough country,
too. That could never be dono if had to
rise in the saddle with every step the
horse takes. remember on one occasion
rode sixty-five miles to attend dance
given on the plain. l danced nearly all
night, and, as soon as it was over got into
the saddle and rode siXty-five miles back
hold my reins in my left hand and short
enough to feel my horse. This is so that
in case he should stumble can pull him
up. For a beginner learning to ride I
would advise that he do Just as / have
said. When he gets into the saddle and
before he tries to ride he should get used
to the seat and become perfectly at home
in it. When this has been acquired let
your horse walk about little until you are
used to the motion. Get used to every
movement before you try another. Don't
try to sit stiffiy on the horse, but swing
about easily. Then let your horse trot,
then canter, and then gallop. Keep the
same position for each action, and always
move with the horse. Don't be scared Of
your horse, and when you tell him any
thing make him mind i train all my horses
to my own peculiarities, and many of
them can guide by a touch Of the spur. I
never use single rein in guiding horse.
The reins 1 hold together In my left hand,
and instead of pulling one to turn him, /
pull both reins over to the side on winch
wish him to turn. In jumping / ride the
horse at the object which 1 wish to Jump,
and when he is to rise just touch him
with the spur and lift him with the reins,
always taking care to hold on with my legs.