The Dickinson press., 1888-12-29
HOW TO SIT A HORSE.
An Old Cavalryman's Pointers to an In
CXpCricnCCd Rider.

experienced Rider.
The best riders in tho world" said an old
cavalryman, who was giving Il greenhorn
some points on equcstrianism, ARE the Next
cans. Buffalo Bills cowboys are splendid
riders, but the Mexicans arc better still. And
their superiority is in part due to the kind of
saddle thoy use. That low English saddle
you've got there" he continued, 81 couldn't
ride i'll. 1t isn't fit for n man to ride in. Now,
tho great beauty of the Mexican saddle is
that n man sitting in it has his legs almost
straight down beside the horse, like Il clothes
pin. A 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 Mcclellan saddle would
be as good rs the Mexican saddle if it only
had the stirrups placed n couple of inches
further back. AS it is, II man riding in II
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 impromp.u
riding master continued, after pausing IL mo.
ment to allow his casual pupil to absorb what
he had already said, sis n very important
thing in learning to ride properly. In fact, it
is the thing. And yet n%inc-tenths of the
riders you see about tho street and country
roads every day have their toes turned at all
angle of 40 degrees from the sides of tho
horse. AS Il consequence these riders can't
have a firm seat, and don't enjoy the exer.
else half as much us they would if they rode
properly"
"How is it the way the toes point has so
much to do with good riding?' u reporter
who happened to be OH hand inquired.
ITO sit firmly on a horse and at tho same
to time have the body erect and free to give
with tho horses notion" tho cavalryman
said, you must grip the animals sides with
your knees. Not with the calves of the legs,
mind, nor with the thighs, but with the knees
alone. Now, if you don't keep your toes
pointing straight ahead, or nearly so, itisim-
possible to get this grip with the knees. Turn
your toes out and you will find at once that
you grip the horse with the calves of your
legs and that your body is thrown forward
from the hips instead of being erect. Expert
ment IL little when you get on your horse and
you'll SEQ it works just as say.
But if You keep your feet straight,
hold on tight with your knees and sit erect
you Will find you can accommodate yourself
to the motions of the horse more readily and
gracefully, your seat will be firmer and rid
ing VIII not tire you near so quickly. If You
will notice old cavalrymcn when they walk"
the gentleman continued, "you will SEE that
instead of spreading their feet apart they
keep them parallel. This is the result of
their habit of riding. and it often makes
them very ul1raccful on their feet. Tho
best and most graceful rider | knew was
Gen. Ashby, who was killed during tho war.
never saw Il man who looked So handsome
on horseback. Off n horse, however, he
walked like IL duck, and was so clumsy that
ho couldn' get intoa parlor without falling
over all the furniture in sight. y Mexican
astridc his high curved saddle, with his legs
hanging straight down, rides as easily rs if
lie We're sitting in Il rocking chair, and at the
SAME time it is almost impossible to unscat
him. Heis clothcs-pinncd on to the horse, and
the latter can't get from under him. But IL
man riding on Il flat English saddle with
short stirrnps, his legs bent at tho knee and
bis toes turned out, has NJ chance when his
horse jumps suddenly. He is i'll acrampcd
position, and is almost sure to be thrown for
ward on the horses neck Or over his hcad.n-
Washington Star.