Graceful Riding Part 4

They should hang _perfectly_ independent of the body, from the shoulders near the sides, _yet quite_ free from having a constrained appearance.

THE LEGS.

The right leg from the hip to the knee should be kept down in the saddle, and, as much as the rider possibly can, without moving. The lady will materially a.s.sist herself in this object by drawing _the heel backwards_. The left leg must hang steady, _yet_ not, by any means, rest its weight in the stirrup, for in consequence of the muscles of the leg being round, the foot will naturally turn outward, thus causing a wavering, tottering seat, inclining the body too much out of balance, and giving a disunited motion to the horse, and an ungraceful and deformed appearance to the rider. To prevent this, the knee must be kept firmly pressed to the saddle; and, as before remarked, by depressing the heel, the toe will be naturally turned in.

THE STIRRUP.

The position of the foot in the stirrup is of great importance; upon it depends much; keeping the correct balance of the body on the horse, which consists in sitting perfectly square and erect, and preserving a steady position in the saddle. In fitting the stirrup the lady ought to have her length correctly arranged, which is done in the following manner:--The stirrup leg must hang quite free from the hip-joint, the knee being slightly bent, with the toes raised and turned in towards the horse's side. Keep the foot fixed as immovable as possible in the stirrup, allowing the pressure alone to come from the toes to the bridge of the foot, which will have the effect of giving the elasticity and regularity of movement required in the horse's quickened paces.

The _length_ of the stirrup must be made a matter of importance. On it, in a very great measure, _depends_ a steady, firm seat.

THE STIRRUP TOO LONG.

In the lady's endeavours to retain her foot in the stirrup, her weight must preponderate on the left side; if the stirrup be _too short_, it necessarily gives a rolling motion to her body, destructive alike to grace, elegance, and security of seat, and will prevent her seating herself sufficiently back in her saddle.

On the Reins (_vide_ p. 27).

Holding the Reins in one hand (_vide_ p. 28).

Using both hands (_vide_ p. 29).

Riding on one rein (_vide_ p. 30).

The Whip (_vide_ p. 30).

THE BRIDLE HAND.

The motion of the lady's hand must be confined to the _wrist_--as in pianoforte playing--the action coming from _it alone_.

By the management of the reins, in concert with the yielding or retraction of the wrists, the horse is guided in his paces. By this mode the sensibility and goodness of his mouth is preserved; the beauty of his action is developed; steadiness is combined with security in his paces, and the safety of his rider is secured. The degree of command, which the animal can be placed under, _entirely depends on the degree of proficiency_ acquired in this branch.

GUIDING.

There are _four_ motions requisite in guiding a horse.

_To go forward._--Lengthen the reins, and give the animal his liberty.

For this purpose the lady's hand must be guided by the _action_ of her wrist, and, at the same time, she must apply gently her whip. Here, it is proper to remark, the lady's bridle, or left, hand must never be left inactive, but, by practice, she must endeavour to understand the art of _feeling the horse's mouth_; should the bridle hand _not_ be kept in constant use this will never come easy to the rider, the hand will be unsteady, and the horse will become the same.

_To go backward._--The reins must be shortened a little, the back of the hand turned down, the little finger next the body; the weight of the rider should be thrown back, with the little finger slightly pulled in towards the waist, then the horse will readily step back.

_To turn to the right._--The hand must be turned upwards, which will direct the little finger to the right. Throw the balance of the body into the turn, by inclining the bust to the right and applying the whip, which will cause the horse to move forward as he turns, obey the hand, and cross his legs one over the other, correctly.

_To turn to the left._--Let the hand be turned down, so that the little finger may be directed to the left; the bust must also be turned to the left, and the hand up, with the left heel applied to his side, and the whip to his right shoulder.

DISMOUNTING.

There is tact necessary in dismounting, in order that the lady may avoid the _expose_ and inelegance, attendant upon, as it were, being lifted from the saddle in a groom's arms.

Previous to dismounting, the groom must stand by the horse's head, holding the reins close to the bit, to keep him as steady as possible.

The lady having removed her foot from the stirrup, and pa.s.sed her hand down to free her skirt, etc., from all chance of catching to the saddle or stirrup, should remove her knee out of the crutch; at the same time taking the precaution to disengage the habit from that side. Then holding the crutch with her right hand (the rein hanging loosely on the thumb), and now placing her left hand on her groom's right arm, near the wrist; his arm being extended for the purpose, she must spring lightly and clear from the saddle, slightly inclining the bust towards the horse's shoulder.

By this method the lady will quite disengage herself, and descend gently to the ground.

MAXIMS TO BE ATTENDED TO.

Be particular to avoid nervousness and hurry, either in mounting or dismounting.

Take time, and have everything correctly arranged before starting; serious accidents have occurred frequently from being in haste to start off.

Arrange the habit, length of stirrup, and have the saddle-bands and buckles properly examined before the journey is begun, to prevent having to stop on the road.

Be careful to keep the hand active, and watch the movements of the horse; by this means the rider will never be thrown off her guard, and will be prepared for every emergency.

Keep the horse's mouth always in play, so as to keep up its fine feeling, _indispensable_ to his correct guidance.

Never allow the reins to hang loosely on the horse's neck, crutch, or pummel of the saddle. This oversight frequently causes serious and fatal accidents.

_Always_ use _double_ reins. Should one become useless, there is still another to rely upon.

Before the author concludes, he begs to be allowed to _impress_ upon his fair readers, that an _elegant_ and accomplished _equestrian_ becomes an equally _graceful pedestrian_, from the improved carriage acquired from proficiency in the former accomplishment.

To become an _elegant pedestrian_ is no mean task, nor is it an _easy_ one to accomplish. Yet it is of the utmost importance to a lady, _in particular_, to master it. How often, in our experience through life, have we met with a lovely face and perfect figure,--everything that could const.i.tute the perfection of female beauty, _while at rest_!--but once in _motion_, the illusion is dispelled from a _bad carriage and shuffling gait_, the perfect form becomes quite common-place. These two destructives to beauty can be entirely eradicated by attention to the following directions, and which apply equally to

WALKING AND RIDING.

Keep the bust and head _erect_; the shoulders _well thrown back_. The motive power to proceed from the hips _alone_.

Perseverance in these few directions will soon give all that is required for a graceful and healthy carriage.

Finally.--At all times _trust to your reins for security_, in cases of danger. _Never_ grasp the pummel of the saddle. Never use a "Habit Brooch."

REMARKS ON SADDLERY.

I have been quite surprised to see, in such a city as London, the paucity of really good saddles. Most of them would disfigure any horse they were put upon, with flaps of all shapes but the right.

To say how a saddle should be made, would be quite impossible, as it solely depends on the horse and his rider; for instance, a thin and sweepy saddle will not suit a horse with round, heavy shoulders, and wide over his loins. Many imagine that cut-back saddles are less liable to injure the rider, than ordinary ones; this is quite fallacious.

The saddle must have the head, or what is called, the pummel, to begin upon; and the further _that_ can be carried forward the better; but the nearer it is got under the seat, the more likely is it _to seriously injure_ the rider.

In _side_-saddles there is great variety; but the requisites for a _first-rate_ side-saddle, to my idea, and one I would not hesitate in recommending, should be _length_ (_indispensable_), _a leaping-head_, _no off-head_, and it should be cut as nearly level as possible. None, I may say, can dispute my first remark, and _none_ who have ridden with the leaping-head will ever after be _without it_.