The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-01-19
HORSEBACK RIDING.
How 1t Should Be Done in the II

terests of Health.
II understand that by reason of
President Roosevelt's devotion to horse
back riding this healthful excerise has
taken on new life in the capital" said
Albert Townsend, son Of a wel-known
attorney of New York, land If my ex-
perience will be of benefit to those in
Washington who are seeking health
and believe it will I gladly give it.
Il am on my way from the metropolis
to Atlanta on horseback These trips
are often recommended by physicians
to delicate young men, but think can
tell you why they do not in most cases
prove success. They have with me,
and season weather do not count under
proper conditions. I am journeying
south. and each day I have improved
and expect to continue to do so; in
summer you can go in any direction,
but in the fall and winter it must be
toward the south.
II have changed myself from a pale,
underweight man to one Of sound ply
sique with increased weight, but 1t has
taken time and considerable money. I
travel alone on my trips, that is without
human companions. and with only my
bulldog Boxer, and. by the way Boxer
Is a case-hardened traveller and fighter.
I found that when travelled with
companion when I wanted to tie up at
a place for better weather, or any
reason, or when I wished to push ahead
Of turn this way or that he was other
wise agreeable, usually had a positive
or silent objection. This kills sport Of
this kind. I found it to have bad eff
feet upon the nerves. temper and ap-
petite Absolute freedom of individual
action must prevail, Again, my COM
panions have always been in a hurry
to get on to the next town; If one must
hurry on horseback trip for health
then stay at home.
Doing as you please relieves these
trips of monotony which otherwise is
detrimental. With a good fighting dog
to whom you are attached, you are en-
tertained on the road Boxer has
fought and whipped, except on one
memorable day, every dog from Com
munipaw to Washington that he has
engaged I have had the fun of getting
him out Of the dog catchers hands three
times, and on the other side of Will
mington he went up against three
Great Danes that exceeded him in size
and weight. but not In courage. He
lost that half of his right ear" OBJ
served Mr.. Townsend. admiringly. indi-
eating q handsome big bull lying at his
feet who was minus a good piece out
of one erect ear, lin that unequal fight.
but [ got him away with the leaden
butt of my riding whip. I expect him
to maintain the record with the dogs
south of the Mason and Dixon line un-
til We get to Atlanta.
Another point on horseback riding
trips for health is that you must have
q good, sound horse, and you must not
allow yourself to feel lonely or dis
curaged. Blend with the exercise
rowing spirit, even if that be unnatural:
it can soon be cultivated. Have a
small tTunkful of serViceablA clothes
sent ahead from point to point. as a
stout wooden suit, a short, warm jacket
and rubber slicker, the latter two to be
carried back of the saddle, are all you
need. Stay as short or as long time In
place as you feel inclined; this is one
of the beauties of the trip Every min
ute there is something to interest or at
tract your attention and to take your
mind off yourseIf-the great desidera
tum to all those seeking health.
practice up on riding for a little
while before you begin to tougher the
muscles. Once you are under way the
first thing you will notice about your
self is that you are hungry; many men
would give a large yearly sum to feel
genuinely hungry twice day. You are
astonished at your capacity for food so
soon, and you sleep through the night
Your nerves are strengthened wonder
fully and you begin to wonder why you
ever thought you had troubles You
can largely avoid taking cold by never
venturing out in the face of a storm"
Wa shington Star.