Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-07-31
HOW TO HANDLE HORSES.
Prof. Gleason Writes About the Best
Friend of Mankind.
If You Ride or Drive Horse, Better
Read What He Says And Profit
By the Advice.

taught to do most anything but speak.
During an experience Of fifteen years |
have handled over II, 900 of the most vici-
Gus kickers, bakers, strikers, plungers,
biters. boilers, shyers and horses possess
ing all other vicious habits known. |
have vet to find the horse | could not by
my methods conquer, subdUe and make
docile in a short time. 1t is gratifying
and with some fee ing Of pride that | men
ton the fact that have not injured sin
gle horse during my long and succe ssful
career. And it is a source of happiness to
know that have never been cruel to one
of the noblest of dumb animals. My
methods are simple and perfect. 1t is re-
corded in history that Alexander was the
first to ride and tame his steed Bacephalus.
He did it by mastering the horse and not by
sheer brutality. There is a big distinction
between mastering and cowing the animal
by cruel brutality. Many horses have
more sense than their riders. The equine
knows when he is at the mercy of some IN
experienced rider. and it onl y renders the
animal FESTIVE and apprehensive. A horse
should never be deceived by words or ac-
ton When driver or rider pulls The
reins and says whoa" he should mean it
and stick to it. But to cry whoa, jerk
the reins and lash the horse at the
same time is confusing and means moth
ing.
Equestrian pastime, notice is becom-
ing fad, and a commendabe one, too,
among ladies. Hundreds Of them ride
daily in the park and on the boulevard. |
have often been asked what kind of sad
dies ladies should use, and how they should
carry themselves in the saddle. A lady's
saddle should be carefully fitted to the
horse and there should always be a third
crutch. An extra leather grit should be
used to keep the flaps of the saddle in their
places. The stirrup may be either like a
man S, with a lining of leather or velvet,
or it may be slipper, which is safer and
easier to the foot. AS rule the lady S
whip is light, and it should be carried
more to threaten than to actually give pun
ishment. If lady so desires a spur
should be used, and no doubt it would
help to- animate the horse at the right
moment. am in favor of no instrument of
torture, however, as the spur is often made
when used by the reckless and cruel. 1t
should be buckled onto the boot and a
small opening made in the habit with a
string attached to the inside, which is tied
around the ankle, thus keeping the spur al
ways protecting beyond the folds of the
habit Sometimes nose martlngale is
added for ornament, but no norse that
throws his head up should be used by
ladies' The mistake often made is in Sc
Letting the most stupid animal, fit only for
dray, for ladies to ride when the most
perfect goer should be chosen As a rule
the idea seems to prevail that horse with
beautiful outline will carry lady, but it
is an egregious mistake.
If it were left to che ladies to decide they
would soon select suitable horses. Ladies
are usually light, and a horse that will
easily carry them is generally unfit to mount
the average man, because he is so much
heavier. Few ladies who ride weigh more
than $50 pounds, and, in fact. most of
them weigh considerably less. 1t is shame
full and ungallant to attempt to make the
Now, my idea is that In point of soundness,
action, mouth and temper the lady's horse
should be unimpeachable. A gentleman s
horse may be good yet wholly unable tc
canter. and so formed that he cannot be
taught, therefore he is totally unsuited to q
lady. On the other hand every lady
horse should do his pace we'll know that
many trot, but they should not be furnished
with the excuse that they cannot because
their horses will not. In size the lady's
horse should be about Is hands high, or
from 49, to 1512. for less than this allows
the habit to trail in the dirt and NOR
makes the horse to lofty and unwieldy for a
lady's use. In breaking a lady's horse, II
he is of good temper and fine mouth little
need be done to make him canter easily and
with the right leg foremost. This i:
necessary, because the other leg is uncom-
Portable to the rider from her side position
in the saddle. The breaker should there
fore get the horse accustomed to start of
with the right leg. He should also bend
HIM thoroughly, so as to make him aanter
well IN his hind legs and not with the dis
turbed action which we so often see.
In dismountlng the horse should be
brought to dead stop, and his head held
by an assistant The lady then turns her
knee back again from the position be-
tween the outside crutch, takes her foot
out of the Stirrup and sits completely side
ways. She should then put her left hand
on the gentleman's shoulder, who places
his right arm around her waist and light
~ assists her to the ground.
Be moderate, be temperate No man
can become a good horseman without first
firm, be perservering, be honest. 1t is
quite common to say whoa, when it is
only intended to 90 slower. or when the
horse has not stirred foot to let him know
of your presence. One day when your life
may depend upon ''whoa" you will gnd
that your horse is not stopped by it be.
cause you have entirely played it out OF
him. Speak always in a natural tone OF
voiaa ,,n1nr oil lvove
let your horse face the object of his fear
power you have over him. There are times
when letting hose trot is almost as baG
as letting him run away
The curb must be used for this purpose
but without bearing too heavily upon IT
And the horse must be brought to his pace
by fine handling rather than by force, anG
by occasional pressure, which he will yielc
to and play with if allowed, rather than by
by a dead pull. In this way, by taking
advantage of every inch yielded. and YET
not going too far, the head is gradually
brought in and the hind legs as gradually
are thrust forward, so as instinctively tC
steady the mouth and prevent the pressure
which is feared. When this sitting on
the launches is accomplished, a horse
cloth may be strapped on the near side OF
the saddle to accustom him to the Tapping
of the habit; but have always found in
an ordinary good-tempered horse that il
the panes and mouth were all perfect. the
habit is sure to be borne
1t is difficult to make everyone perfect
and the mistake that is constantly being
made In mounting is in the use of the
lady's knee, which should be carefully