The New York herald., 1922-06-04
Saddles and Brides
for the Use of Women
No Way of Riding for Travel Pleasure That Is Just
as Good as Riding the Right Horse Under Side
Saddle, Amateur Expert Says.
BY MARGUERIrE F. BAYLIss.

| that is ideal for the side saddle. build,
action and temperament, there is no
way of riding for simple travel or
pleasure that is just as good as riding
that horse in side saddle. For secur-
! ity, comfort and beauty such a horse
ridden in that way is in class all
by itself.
! I recently saw a negro field hand re-
turning to the barn with his mule team.
He sat sideways on the bare back Eek
cept for the sketchy farm harness) of
one of the mules. The mules were NOV
ing with cadence. a rhythm that would
add 5000 to the value of a fine looking
horse which could do likewise. The
darkeys grin of bliss was inches in
width. I coveted that mule as
watched its matchless stepping. 1t
seemed wrong to ever harness to the
plow an animal that could carry a
200 pound rider with such a movement.
Yet after all it was not wasted. That
cheerful darkey was having wonder
full ride. and he was horseman enough
! to know better than to detract from
the best gift of the gods who dispense
riding action by getting on astride.
When 1t comes to fast galloping, all
the women who ride well in side sad
die consider 1t much easier and equally
safe, but, should think that unless
the girl is really a fine rider it would
be better for her to use a mans saddle
for rapid riding or jumping. To insist
on the side saddle for all people and
under all circumstances is as unwise
as it is to refuse to use 1t ever.
In the matter of bridges, 1t seems to
me that sometimes the advice usually
given to novices hardly makes a reason
able distinction between the needs of
fairly practiced rider and the needs of
a real beginner. If you have an in
structor, by all means let him arrange
the matter of reins for you. But many
people just learn to ride by picking I'D
information and practicing by them
selves. Such beginners are nearly sure
to meet Waterloo in the bride unless
somebody helps them out Very many
of them develop faults Of managing 1t
which they never overcome.
| The single rein bride is usually rec
commended for beginners, especially If
they use horses Of casual quality. 1t Is
certainly true that many inexperienced
riders find the second rein too much
for them, but-this Is very unorthodox
advice--that extra rein can always be
likelihood of hurting the horse by inn
proper use of 1t can be greatly reduced
by carefulness.
Double Reins Best.
Apparently the reason most often in
the mind of the instructor when advising
the single rein Is that all inexpert riders
il allowed to handle the reins them
selves will employ the bride more or
less to steady themselves, and If it Is
used to assist what little lady of my
acquaintance would call an Undecided
seat. less trouble results from dragging
I,.k f1@ - --..II
ing at a curb.
But to anybody who does such a
thing-and lots of the very best people
do-please let me say DON'T" Hold on
to the saddle, or the name, or anything
but the bride. If you never become
proficient you will still be safer for
hanging to better support. and IL you
do become expert you will Immediately
understand why the reins should not be
used like trolley straps.
In the absence of an instructor to
correct mistakes one precaution will ac-
complish wonders. one simple rule, IL
carefully observed will at least prevent
the formation of bad habits and car
rled far enough into practice, will ma
terially aid both seat and hands. AL
ways ride with the reins a trifie more
loose than the standard for finished
horseman with trained mount. Not
81 Sldch tndt tney cannot De shortened,
but easy enough to leave the bit en-
tirely free. 1t is safe to do this with
any horse that is safe for beginner
to mount. Entirely apart from an ex-
pert's marvellous bride management
riding with tight rein is only the priv
ilege of the crack horseman. No learner
can afford to do it.
! should say that the less aptitude a
horse has for riding the more the curb
is required for the convenience of the
rider. A good saddle horse, IL not vi
cious, will dc as well as it can without
much aid from its rider, and will easily
understand and comply with signals
which are little more than hints; but
the less horse knows, or perhaps cares,
about saddle work the more does It need
assistance or compulsion from its mas
ter. Many horse Is fairly good in a
double bride which Is much less easy
and pleasant than with the single rein.
Horses with light mouths are always
sensitive about Jerks, and some gentle
ones will show fright quickly II jerked
with curb. so handle them gently.
We are not here concerned with ad-
vanced use of the bride; the kind of
riders who take out horses so spirited
or highly schooled or perhaps vicious
as this implies know all about bits. To
the ordinary beginner i should say get
double bit in preference to the single
rein: practice with 1t gently, and see
how soon you will find it easy and
} handy.