The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-08-08
RIDING A RACE HORSE.
Tod Sloan Tells How 1t should BE
Done.
From the New York World.

DOmes
From the New York World.
Riding a race horse is an art. and I feel
that I learn more about it every time l
have a mount. Ever since my maiden
race 1 have studied the horse, and how
to manage him. and I believe that 1 I'M
derstand him pretty well. OF course, ev-
cry jockey has his own particular way of
riding, and / certainly have mine. No
man has ever shown me how to do any
thing in the saddle. l was my own teach
er. and if I am wrong no one else is to
blame
To begin with, a horse is more intelli-
gent and observant than most people give
him credit for being, and remembers kind
ness or abuse longer than a good many
men. 1t is on his feelings that l play. and
/ find that it wins. He realizes what is
expected of him as soon as he passes the
crowded grand stand or sees the starter
on the block. and if he is of any account
IL as willing to race as the jockey is to
ride him. ! never use spurs, because
believe they inhict a punishment instead
of acting as persuaders. A horse finches
under them, and will not so kindly for
me at least.
l always sit straight in the saddle at
the start, Keep my arms close TO my body
and don't pull on the reins any more
IMAM DOSSlDlt. oNillt starts are ut,
and the delay at the post is trying on
both horse and rider In cases Of this
kind your mount viii become restless and
want to turn around, or make some other
movement II he wants to turn In one d.
rection / never try to make him go IN the
opposite. Instead of attempting to rule
him / try 20 act with him. and he gener-
ally appreciates the consideration shown
him. I found early in my career that
lighting a horse is an uphill game.
When the word Is given ] bend forward
over the horses withers and take a short
hold on the relns, having them run
through my half closed hands. which are
together and resting on the horses neck.
Unless the distance is short and my mount
ls a weak-hearted sort Of brute I never
go out In the lead. / let some other
horse set the pace and incidentally break
the wind for me. / find, like the cyclists
that this renders the greatest assistance.
no matter in what direction the wind IS
blowing. there Is always some resistance,
because the horse goes much faster than
&c does, and therefore / make myself
as harmless as possible and the other
starters ln the race as useful as possi-
bic. Even " the leader drops back
length or 40. / still allow him TO stay In
front until the finish Is close at hand. The
closer you can be- behind "a horse. or sew
eral horses, Boa long-dlEtdncc race. the
better 30 o. for you. 1 generally pun out
at the right time and very few pockets
are worked on me.
when the home-stretch is reached got
further up my horses neck than ever. N
possible. ana use an my persuasive pow.
ere. riding for an There ia in me. but
seldom draw my whip I always carry
one. hut use Dc sparingly 10 is another
instrument that Furnishes a little more
than BE- pDrsundea. if need Dc. I tap che
h0ra0 Few times ln the llst 900 yards.
hufAurKcr dIl "a horse HWcrVc under me.
A. ru'c. riding 90 che finish looks hard.
cr than % really a.. 10 tho horse has