Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-08-06
EDITH RUCKER
TELLS HON. TO
BEHORSEW|OMAN
Prominent Society Girl Says
Art of Riding is Acquired
Only By Practise

Miss Edith Rucker, prominent
San Francisco society girl and an ex
cellent equestrienne, has a. number
Of things to say to the young lad1
who is learning to ride. In an article
in a San Francisco publication the
young lady writes:
The art Of riding can be acquired
by practice only, but the instruction
from a good master is worth its cost
In this country the American, Eng
lish and German styles are all prac
| tised.
The German style is rapidly pass
ing out, the American style is gener
ally practised in the western and
southern states, while. in the east
and middle west the English has be.
come the fashion. ..
The Germans teach you to sit with
Ia straight, stiff body, shoulders well
thrown back and heels well down,
the back Of the calf of the leg grip.
ping the horse tightly.
The American style is to ride with
the body in an easy position, the toes
lower than the heels, the knees grasp
ing the saddle firmly, and only the
tees in the stirrups.
The English style is q natural posi-
ton Of the body, the foot thrust all
the way through, the stirrup, the toe
slightly lower than on q level with
the heel: The. English style is. suited
to park riding, as we'll as rough riding
or hunting. 49,
The saddle and bride should al
ways be examined before mounting.
See that the thToatlatch (the strap
under the throat is; loose enough to
pass your four fingers between it and
the throat; that the curb chain. hangs
in the ctingroove and is loose enough
to pass a finger between it aud the
Jaw, while the bit hangs naturally;
that the saddle rests, where, it would
be easiest, before fastening The girths
neither high up on the shoulders
nor go far back that it will work for
ward; that the girths are not crossed,
or wide apart, and that they are
tight, but not 50 tight as to give
pain to the horse.
! Mount from the left side Of the
horse, near his shoulders. Three
quarters facing him, you take the
reins UP in the right hand and place
them in the left, grasp a lock Of the
name or withers with the left hand "a
little forward Of the shoulders in such
a, manner as may be most convenient,
meanwhile holding the reins firmly
but not pulling On the horses mouth
Now take the stirrup in the right
hand, putting the left foot in it. If
you can take 1t without the use of
the hand, 50 much the better.
Put the right hand we'll over the
right side Of the cantle Of the saddle,
pressing downward to help prevent
the saddle turning.
Rise with a good spring from the
right foot Throw the right leg over,
clearing the horses back, withdraw.
ing the right hand at the same time.
and sink gently into the saddle, re-
leasing the name. Turn the right
foot inward and you will easily find
the stirrup. The forward end OF the
stirrup as it hangs should be turned
away from the horse in putting the
foot in. Lengthen the reins in the
left hand by letting them slide
through the fingers or by pulling
them through with the right hand.
Another method of mounting is to
stand opposite the saddle. girth, grasp
the Dommel of the saddle. with tho