The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-06-03
Indian Riders

indian Riders
We have from all sources accurate and i
consistent accounts Of the extraordinary
riding OF the old savage. Catlin and
Parkman and Dodge describe him faily.
A piece Of buffalo robe girthed over the
pony's back stood in Eeu Of saddle, If
even 50 much was used a cord oftwist-
ed hair lashed around its lower Jaw
served for bit and bride When hunt
ing-in fact, as 4 gula- the Indian were
naughs but a breech-cloth and moeeasins
not 20 lay stress on paint aud feathers
and carried a oufialo skin, which De
threw about his shoulders or Jet fail from
about his waist. lie was often q sPlen-
did specimen OF manly strength and ae-
tivity. @By Ca Mohawk !" exclaimed
BENJAMIN West, when he FIRST beheld the
Appolo BeIvedere.
A hesyy whip. with elkhorn handle
and knotted bulls hide lash, hung by
loop to the Indians wrist. bis boE and
arrows gave fali occupation to his handz
he must guide his pony with legs and
word alone. and rely on its intelligence
and the training he had given Il 70 do
the right thing at the right time. Iha5
sleuderly equipped, this splendid rider
dashed in to the midst Of a hsrd Of buf-
falo, and 50 quick was the pony and So
strong the seat Of his master thai. despite
the stampede Of the terror-stricken herd
and the charges Of the enraged and
wounded bulls. few accidents ever occlr-
red. The Indian on horsebseS has HiHe-
t. lives, no nine. His riding IS not an
art, il is nature.
The Indian has never developed a sys-
tenn Of training his ponies, and except
imitation, or a certain trick shown by
father to son, and thus perpetuated. there
was none bot individual knaek in horse
manship. The plains pony Vas quickly
taught after q rough ard rsady fashion,
more by cruelty than kindness IN a
manner. in fact, az different from the
system Of the Arabs as the fine shape of
the barb oilers from the rugged outline
Of the bronco. All horses are more in
selIigent than man suppose those most
with men, or on which man most de-
pends, most readily respond to training,
and the Indian and his pony were every
day and all day comrades.
Befor the Indian could trade for or
steal 2 bit he always used the iaw-rope
or nothing With the rope in the leit
hand. he bore against the neck To turn
to one side aad gave a pull 10 turn CD the
other; or else he shifted MS pony's Group
BY a more or less vigorous kick with
either heel. When both his hands were
busy he relies entirely upon his legs and
the pony's knowIedge Of the business or
hand; but as every indian digs his heels
into his horses sides and lashes him with
the quirt at every stride, it is hard to see
how the pony caught on 20 his meaning.
The more credit to the quadruped
The feats Of the Indian Of today, such
as picking objects Of the ground at g gal
tor, or hanging to one side Of his horse,
eoncealing all but an arm and leg, while
be shoots at his enemy from behind the
running rampant, were equally performed
by his barebacked ancestor. The latter
was won't to braid his horses mane into
a long loop, through which he could
thrust his arm to preserve his balance,
but he had not the advantage cf the
eansle to hold to by his Lex. The Oil
bareback rider has now disappeared l.
needed but 3 short contact with eivilizl-
ton to show him the manifest advan-
tages Of BIT and saddle.
It is no wonder that the Indian rode
well. Before he could walk OF talk or
remember, the lad had been tisd 10 9
horse, and no Indizn can rscolIect the
time when he could not ride anything
and everything that came along. The
BOYS from twelve years up do most Of tie
herding. and IL this occupation they
become familiar with every pony s.. the
tribe and have learned the izlividuai
qualities Of each, while gaining IN gener-
Al hcrsemanship.-HfrFtr' NagH-iHe.