Part 2 (2/2)
The rider partic.i.p.ates in the like ease, or unrestrained liberty, but this ease or inattention, is not to suffer unseemly habits to take place, such as the back and shoulders to get round, the head to shake, the leg to dangle, and beat against the horse's side.
These errors may creep on a person, who has not been confirmed in the principles by sufficient practice; but when habits of good riding are once firmly established, the ease and liberty the rider a.s.sumes, will not exceed propriety, risk her security, nor abandon, nor baffle her horse,--her hand will keep its situation and properties, though the body be turned to any extreme for the purpose of conversing, and the like, nor will the body by any freedom it takes, throw itself out of balance, nor take the liberty, when it cannot be done with safety. This freedom and ease, so desirable and so universally admired, is affected by every person who is in the habit of riding, but with this difference, some possess system, with negligence, and ease, and others merely negligence and ease, without system.
A lady's horse should be sure footed, but the best become careless. When a horse trips, he should be kept more than usually collected. It is useless to whip a horse after stumbling, as it is also after shying, for it is clear, he would not run the risk of breaking his knees nor his nose if he could help it. A bad horsewoman throws her horse down, which a good horsewoman does not do. That is, because a bad horsewoman hurries her horse, over bad ground, or down hill, or over loose stones, or rough and broken ground, lets him flounder into difficulties, and when there, pulls him so that he cannot see, nor exert himself to get out of them and expecting chastis.e.m.e.nts, the horse springs to avoid it, before he has recovered his feet, and goes down with a tremendous impetus; if she have to cross a rut to the right, she probably forces her horse across it, when the right foot is on the ground; in which case, unless the horse collect himself, and jump; if he attempts to step across it, the probability is, that crossing his legs, he knocks one against the other and falls. The reverse of all this, Colonel GREENWOOD, writes, should be the case, if the lady have not sufficient tact to feel, which of her horse's feet is on the ground, she must allow him his own time for crossing, which will be, when the left foot is on the ground. The rider should habitually choose her horse's ground for him, this by practice, will become as easy to her, as choosing her own path when walking.
It is a common error to suppose, that a rider can support a horse when falling, lift him over a leap, or hold him up, they are mechanical impossibilities. Were a similar weight attached to the thin rein of a lady's bridle, could the lady lift it with her left hand. A pull from the curb, will indeed give the horse so much pain in the mouth, that he will throw up his head, and the rider flatters herself that she has saved her horse from falling; but this error is not harmless, by so doing, she prevents his seeing to foot out any unsafe ground; and further, when an unmounted horse stumbles, nature teaches him to drop his head and neck, which relieves the shoulders of their weight, and that is the instant that the horse makes his effort to recover himself; the muscular power employed to raise the head and neck, will act to sink his knees, for as much as the rider pulls up, so much will she pull down. The great point is, to keep the horse so well balanced and in hand, with his legs well under him, that should the horse stumble, or get into difficulties, he is able to recover himself without much exertion.
_When proceeding along a road_, the rule is, to keep to the left side of it, but when about to pa.s.s those travelling in the same direction, though at a less speedy pace; to pa.s.s on their right. A party meeting another pa.s.ses to the right, that is, the right hands of the parties meeting, are towards each other.
_A gentleman riding with a lady_, should be on her right side, as on that side, if the road be dirty, he does not bespatter the lady's habit, and on that side also, he is situated next the carriages, and various objects they meet, or which may be pa.s.sing near them.
If a lady find her horse become affected and uneasy in his gait, she should endeavor to ascertain the cause, the probability is, there will be found to be something wrong, in the bridle or saddle or perhaps a stone in the horse's foot, and she should have it remedied if possible.
A lady should also habitually prevent her horse out-walking, or lagging behind her companions, she is either very unsociable, or a bad horsewoman, who does not keep abreast of them.
A lady, although advised to ride in general on the curb bridle, should occasionally use both hands to the reins. It a.s.sists in obtaining a firm seat, by giving greater power and command over the horse; it prevents the strain on the left arm, which is the natural result of holding a horse entirely with one hand, it makes the pressure upon the animal's mouth more even, which is so truly essential to the comfort of both horse and rider, it keeps the shoulders square, a very important point in the elegance of a young lady's appearance, it causes the elbows to be even on either side instead of one being infinitely in the rear of the other, as is too often the case, and though last not least, it keeps the whip quiet until its use is called for.
There is a piece of inhumanity practised, as much, perhaps more by ladies than by gentlemen, it is, _riding a horse fast on hard ground_.
If the ground be hard and even, a collected canter may be allowed, but one hour's gallop on hard and uneven ground, would do the soundest horse irremediable injury, his sinews would be strained, his joints prematurely stiffened, fever in the feet would be produced, and the horse would be deprived at once, and for ever, of his elasticity and action, and be brought prematurely a cripple to the grave.
DISMOUNTING.
The first operation preparatory to dismounting is, to bring the horse to an easy yet perfect stop.
If the lady be light, and dexterous, she may dismount without a.s.sistance.
The lady when preparing to dismount, should take the reins in her right hand, and put the whip in her left. The reins should be held sufficiently tight, to restrain the horse from advancing; and yet not so firmly, as to cause him to back, rear, or swerve.
The lady should next disengage her right leg from the pommel clearing her dress as she raises her knee; place her right hand on the near crutch, and take her foot out of the stirrup.
If the lady be a.s.sisted, the gentleman taking her left hand in his left, places his right hand under her left elbow, which she keeps firm to her side; as she springs, he supports her in her descent, she retains hold of the crutch or of the hunting pommel; as she quits the saddle, she turns to face the gentleman, who stands near the horse's shoulder, and alights on the ground on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet.
If the lady dismount without a.s.sistance, after clearing her foot from the stirrup, she places her right hand on the near crutch, and her left upon the third crutch or hunting pommel, she must spring clear from the saddle facing towards the horse's side as she descends. By whatever mode the lady dismount, she should, to prevent an unpleasant shock on reaching the ground bend her knees, suffer her body to be perfectly pliant, and alight upon the b.a.l.l.s of her feet; she is not to relinquish her hold, nor the gentleman to withdraw his support, until she be perfectly safe on the ground.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
Riding for recreation, and riding for improvement, are distinct things, yet both are necessary. Many persons unacquainted with the principles of ”Horsemans.h.i.+p,” can perceive no other excellence, than riding boldly, and riding fast, and some even a.s.sert, that a horse broken by a riding master, has been spoiled; this idea is easily accounted for, as the better a horse is broken or educated, the more unsuited he is for an awkward rider.
There are many, it is true, who have been in the habit of riding from their infancy, who, although they never have had any instructions, ride hunting, or on a straight road admirably well; but many more affect to ride as well, who commit the greatest absurdities.
Though the ordinary modes of riding may gratify, and convey one on a horse's back, wherever the will directs, yet, from want of knowledge of the true principles of riding, one is continually exposed to innumerable hazards.
Most persons are desirous to ride well, though not in a _manege_ style.
To ride well, a lady must be perfectly at her ease, with a hand capable of managing her horse, with facility to herself, and comfort to her animal. These requirements will be sooner attained, by a few proper lessons, with study and application, than by years of riding without them.
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