The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-04-04
Women Riding Astride.
Raleigh Times.

RdlClGh lines.
We were glad to see two women
riding horseback astride in Raleigh
the other day, and it is to be hoped
that the example of these two brave
pioneers will be followed 10y every
woman in Raleigh who exercises in
the saddle.
They have been riding thus at the
North, where there is much cross coun-
try riding among women, for years.
1t is no uncommon sight ut Ashe-
vile or Chase City. And if anybody
can explain to our satisfaction why it
is any more immodest or ungraceful
OF inelegent than the awkward side
position, we will take back every
word of this effusion of our honest
sentiments on the subject.
We did not notice that the passage
OF the two women riding squarely
| frOntWise on their mounts attracted
| any particular attention, and they
cantered down the length of Fayette-
| vile street in the middle of the after
noon. That fact is more eloquent
OF the naturaIness of the thing than
anything We could say, for ifstad old
conservative Raleigh did not stare
| and rub its eyes at its first sight of the
practice, then there cannot be any
thing like such a violent departure in
the sensible position of woman on
horse after ALL
There isnot a single argument that
can be advanced in favor of the side
saddle except that women in this
country have been using it for gener-
| atiOns, and that of course is no
real argument.
On the other hand the position on
the side saddle cramps the rider and
the weight unevenly on the horse,
drags on one side and invariably
makes its back sore. This makes
the animal fretful and irritable and
consequently dangerous. Any horse
man will testify that the use of a side
saddle tends to ruin the best animals
And not only is there the danger OF
a horse with a sore back running
away at the slightest provocation or
bucking and throwing it's woman
rider, but there is also the serious
liability of the girth slipping the
weight being to one side, when the
horses body contracts in running or
other fast gait. We saw fine horse.
woman almost killed in that way
once. She was running her mount
against another in a little brush on
the road, when her saddle slipped
and she fell despite her desperate ef-
forts to pull herself to the horses
back. Her head struck stone in
the road and for days her life was
despaired OF, while it was many
weeks before she was about again.
Moreover, many horses become
frightened at the long skirts that SC
often are part of the side saddle rid
ing habit.
As to the costume for the position
astride, there is nothing in the least
degree immodest about the garments
There were long, loose boomers OF
divided skirts, whichever one choose
to call them, reaching to the feet.
They were nothing like so remark
able as many of the trousers worn
unblushingly and almost unnoticed
! NHelI WileelitiS WIS III mower.
English explorers have told us in
their books of travel again and agail
how the modest, refined women O
eastern countries ride their splendid
Arab steeds sitting astride like men
These are perhaps the best horse
women in the world
Women that are physically robus
are not only good to look upon, bu,
are generally the best wives, moth
er. and housekeepers. Horseback
riding is one of the most healthfu
. exercises known. Few women EMO,
it, because nearly all find themselve,
very uncomfortable on the side sad
dies and their mounts very nervous
: and "skittish." If they scde straigh
on mems saddles they would sool
r learn to delight in exhlaratipe ride.
e every day or SO, and their ills woul,
$ grow lesser and fewer.
/ kODoL For Dyspepsia clears the Stomac
n and makes the breath as sweet as a ros
+ koDOL is sold by druggists on guarant.
S relief plan. 1t conforms strictly to II
d National Pure Food and Drugs Law So,
at Parkers Two Rrug Stores