Riding and Driving for Women
by Belle Beach · English · Gutenberg #42229 · 318,492 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Riding and Driving for Women
Author: Belle Beach
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Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIDING AND DRIVING FOR WOMEN ***
RIDING AND DRIVING
FOR WOMEN
[Illustration: Belle Beach]
RIDING AND DRIVING
FOR WOMEN
BY
BELLE BEACH
ILLUSTRATED
NEW YORK
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
1912
COPYRIGHT, 1912, BY
CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
Published October, 1912
TO
MY FRIEND
WITHOUT WHOSE HELP THIS BOOK COULD NOT HAVE BEEN
INTRODUCTION
This book does not pretend to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject
of horsewomanship. It is offered merely as a collection of the most
important points gleaned in my career as a horse-lover and professional
horsewoman. While from experience alone a rider may evolve good form if
she is a natural born horsewoman, yet this is so rare that, with most of
us, a knowledge at the start of the general fundamental principles which
are the basis of form in riding and driving, is essential. It was my
good fortune to have my mother, Mrs. Emily S. Beach, lay the foundation
for me and, similarly, these chapters may aid some of my readers.
Nothing in this book is hearsay. That which takes but a moment to tell
has taken me years to learn; learned as a pupil; learned as a teacher;
learned by observation; learned by exhibition, by many a triumph, by
many a heart-break; much of it a pleasure, much a hard task, but repaid
always by my comrades through it all--the horses.
I desire to express my thanks to Messrs. Brewster & Co., Mr. Herman
Haas, Messrs. Martin & Martin, Messrs. Whippey, Steggall & Co., The
Durland Co., and Mr. P. Nardī for the many illustrations and suggestions
which they have kindly given me. Many of the illustrations are from
photographs which my friends have been kind enough to send me.
CONTENTS
PART I--RIDING
CHAPTER PAGE
I. FORM IN RIDING 3
II. HANDS 14
III. MOUNTING--SIDE-SADDLE 31
IV. RIDING ASTRIDE 37
V. HUNTING 58
VI. SHOW RING 77
VII. HINTS ON RIDING 91
VIII. CORRECT DRESS FOR THE SADDLE 108
IX. SADDLES AND BRIDLES 133
X. THE SADDLE HORSE 157
XI. THE SELECTION OF A SADDLE HORSE 180
PART II--DRIVING
XII. FORM 193
XIII. FOUR-IN-HAND AND TANDEM DRIVING 217
XIV. SHOW RING APPOINTMENTS 245
XV. HINTS ON DRIVING 250
XVI. DRESS 259
XVII. BITS AND BEARING REINS 264
XVIII. HARNESS 273
XIX. GYMKHANA GAMES AND SUGGESTIONS
FOR PRIVATE HORSE SHOWS 282
INDEX 291
ILLUSTRATIONS
Portrait of Author _Frontispiece_
PAGE
Correct Position of Body in Side-Saddle 6
Incorrect Position of Body 7
Correct Position of Legs 8
Another Position of Legs 9
Incorrect Position of Legs 10
Incorrect Position of Legs 11
Correct Position with Horse in Action 12
The Position of the Child on the Left of the Picture
is Correct and that of the Child on the Right
is Incorrect 13
Correct Position of Reins 18
Reversing Position of Curb and Snaffle Reins 25
Correct Position for Park Riding 27
Reins in Both Hands 27
Mounting without Assistance 32
Mounting with Assistance 33
Mounted 34
Dismounting with Assistance 35
Dismounting without Assistance 36
Correct Costume for Young Girls Riding Astride 39
Correct Position for Riding Astride 40
The “Cowboy” Western Costume and Saddle 43
Mounting English Fashion 46
Mounting English Fashion (Another Way) 47
Mounting Military Fashion 48
Mounting Either Fashion 49
Dismounting 52
Dismounting 53
Over Post and Rail 59
A High Jumper and Hunter (Taconite) 60
Giving Him His Head Over a Jump (Heatherbloom) 62
Positions of Hands in Hunting 64
Side-Saddle, Position Rising, Hands and Body Forward 65
Astride, Position of Legs, Hands, and Body at Top of Jump 66
Side-Saddle, Front View, Rising 68
Coming Down 69
A Good Type of Hunter, Bred in Virginia (Philosopher) 70
A Good Type of Hunter, Bred in the North (Ripple) 71
Correct Hunting Costume 73
Sandwich Cases and Flasks 75
Lady’s Park Hack Type (Corinne) 78
Lady’s Park Hack (Marksman) as He was when First Shown 82
Marksman a Year Later, after He had been “Fined Down,”
when He Won the Championship 83
Lined Up 89
Safety Stirrup, Open 103
Safety Stirrup, Closed 103
Riding Clothes 109
New Style Costume for Park Riding 112
Old Style (1887) Postilion Coat 113
A Winter Habit 116
A Smart Summer Habit 117
Stiffed-Legged Boots. Field Boots 123
Puttees 130
Lady’s Park and Hunting Saddle 134
Side-Saddle with Wide Pommels and Safety Flap 136
Side-Saddle with Narrow Pommels and Safety Flap Up 137
Side-Saddle with Stirrup Adjustable from Off Side 138
The Same Side-Saddle, Off Side, Showing Spring Flap which
Holds Flap Up or Down at Will, Permitting Rider to Adjust
Girths or Stirrup Leather While Mounted 139
Diagram for Measuring Side-Saddle 140
Double-Girth. Fitz-William Girth. Corded Girth 141
Adjusting Stirrup from Off Side 143
Plain Snaffle. Bit and Bridoon.
Bit and Bridoon with Cavesson 146
Correctly Saddled and Bridled for Hunting 148
Varieties of Riding Bits 150
Bits and Bridles 151
Lady’s Cross-Saddle with Rolls.
Lady’s Cross-Saddle, Plain Flap.
Light-Weight Saddle, Flaps Cut Forward 155
Champion Saddle Mare (Lady Bonnie) 158
Combination Type (Lady Macdonald) 159
English Type of Lady’s Park Hack 160
Light-Weight Thoroughbred Lady’s Riding Horse
(Indian Flower) 161
Thoroughbred Hunter (Sunday Morning) 164
Perfect Type of Heavy-Weight Thoroughbred Riding Horse
(Heartspring) 165
Show Winner in Park Hack Classes (Sonia) 168
High-Stepping Park Hack (Roslyn) 169
An Old-Fashioned Combination Type (Warwick) 170
Combination Type (Mayo) 171
Lightfoot, Winner of Ladies’ Saddle Class 174
at Age of Twenty-Three
Show Pony 175
Polo Pony 177
Welsh Pony. The Best Type for Children 178
Kentucky Bred Lady’s Riding Horse (Dixie) 181
Points of a Horse 183
Lady’s Western Park Hack (Pink Lady) 185
George IV Phaeton 194
Inspection of the Harness 195
Getting Length of the Reins 196
Stepping into the Trap 197
“Orthodox” Position of Reins and Whip 198
“Modern” Position of Reins with Loop 199
Correct Position for Shortening Reins 201
Pulling Up 205
Styles of Ladies’ Traps, Country and Town 209
Starting 212
Pulling Reins Through Terret after Pulling Up 215
A Perfectly Appointed Road Coach with Postilion
(London-Brighton, 1907) 218
Position of Four-in-Hand and Tandem Reins in Left Hand 219
Four-in-Hand Harness 220
Winding Lash after Catching Thong 222
Measuring the Reins 223
Lady’s Four-in-Hand 226
Lady’s Four-in-Hand Turning to the Right 229
High Tandem Cart 232
Tandem from Bay Shore, Long Island, Show, 1911 234
Correct Tandem Harness for Show Ring 236
Correct Position of Hands Driving Four-in-Hand or Tandem 238
Perfectly Appointed Lady’s Pair 246
Lady’s Single Basket Phaeton 247
Western Style of Gig Horse 248
Driving a Pair to a George IV Phaeton 251
Basket Phaeton 254
Correct Groom’s Livery 263
Bits 265
Proper Adjustment of Bearing Reins 270
Single Phaeton Harness 274
Single Road Harness 276
Double Road Harness 278
English Phaeton Pair Harness 279
A Hempstead Cart 280
(Newsboy) A Prize-Winning Runabout Entry 285
Judge’s Stand in Open Air Show 286
Gymkhana Games at Country Show 288
RIDING AND DRIVING FOR WOMEN
_PART I--RIDING_
“I think I could turn and live with animals,
They are so placid and self-contained;
I stand and look at them long and long,
They do not sweat and whine about their condition,
They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins;
They do not make me sick discussing their duty to God;
Not one is dissatisfied. Not one is demented
with the mania of owning things;
Not one kneels to another, nor to his kind
that lived thousands of years ago.”
--_Walt Whitman._
CHAPTER I
FORM IN RIDING
With all the changes in fashion and fads, riding still holds its own,
and the field which it occupies can never be invaded. For women, quite
as much as and even more than for men, it is of all exercises the one
best adapted to keep them in condition, to restore the glow of health,
and to key up the whole system to respond to all the delights of life.
No less for a woman than for a man is the old saying true, “There is
something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a
man.”
Self-made riders are apt to scoff at what is termed “form,” but “form”
is neither fad nor fashion. It is that way of doing any particular thing
that is recognized as the best. This is why a self-taught person is at a
disadvantage. She may, possibly from her experience, have worked out the
correct theory of riding, but she has not had the advantage of learning
all that has been worked out by others, and it is the assimilation of
the results of others’ experience that constitutes form.
Riding should, I think, be as much a part of a child’s education as any
of the subjects taught at school; in fact, I would paraphrase and say
that “Reading, Riding, and ’Rithmetic” were the essential elements of
every child’s education. All children find in it the keenest pleasure,
and to the delicate child it offers salvation. Once the first
difficulties are overcome, the benefits are soon realized. Benefits not
only to the general health, with restored circulation and appetite, but
to the character which acquires patience and self-control--qualities
quite as essential as the proper use of hands and legs for the making of
a horsewoman.
I do not, however, approve of very young children taking riding lessons.
The age of seven is quite young enough, for when younger than that a
child’s legs are so short that it is difficult for her to keep her
balance at any gait faster than a walk. But I do approve of very young
children becoming accustomed to the motion and acquiring balance by
being held on the back of a very quiet pony, which, of course, should
not go beyond a walk. The great danger in beginning too young is that
the child may have a fall, and, if she does, may receive a shock to her
nervous system, the effects of which will make her timid about horses
for years to come.
I like to have a child come to me for her lesson without fear, not timid
from any past experience, yet enough awed at assuming control of so big
an object as a pony to have respect for, and be dependent on, her
teacher. Later on, confidence will come with increasing knowledge, and
so her education as a horsewoman will be properly begun.
Although learning to ride in childhood is certainly an advantage, yet
age is not necessarily an impediment to a woman’s learning the art. I
have known many women who have never been on a horse’s back until they
were forty years of age, or even older, who, after a few courses of
lessons, have derived much pleasure from their riding, and, with
application, have even become proficient. However, the best riders, like
the best singers or pianists, are born, not made, and there is a grace
about the natural rider that cannot be attained even by the most
thorough training.
Form in riding depends chiefly upon a correct seat, and that in turn
depends upon balance and correct position. Balance can only be attained
by keeping the muscles relaxed and being ready to respond at any moment
to every movement of the horse. It is impossible to acquire balance if
all the muscles are stiff all the time. The body should sway in rhythm
with the horse’s gait. This not only looks well, but saves both rider
and horse from all unnecessary exertion and fatigue.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION OF BODY IN SIDE-SADDLE]
[Illustration: INCORRECT POSITION OF BODY
Right shoulder too high and too far forward, caused by wrong position of
right knee]
Quite as important as balance is the proper position in the saddle. The
first point, remember, is that the body must be squarely in the saddle,
neither to the right nor to the left, and the right thigh must be kept
pointed almost directly to the front. The body is kept in this position
by having both legs at all times in their correct position. The right
thigh should be well down on the saddle and the right knee should both
press down and pull back on the upper pommel. The right leg from the
knee down should be kept close, but not _rigid_, against the saddle-flap
and should be nearly vertical, neither thrust forward nor sideways nor
twisted back, _and the right leg should not touch the left leg_. If the
right leg is kept in proper place, the right shoulder--the bane of so
many women riders--will be neither forward nor down, but squarely in
line.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION OF LEGS
Right leg vertical, left leg bent at knee and hanging naturally]
[Illustration: ANOTHER POSITION OF LEGS
Some women hold their legs in this position, but I do not approve of it]
[Illustration: INCORRECT POSITION OF LEGS
Both legs too far forward]
[Illustration: INCORRECT POSITION OF LEGS
Left leg too far back]
The left leg should be kept in the same position as a man’s leg, that
is, held in firmly against the saddle. The left knee should be slightly
bent and the leaping horn and the stirrup-leather should be so adjusted
that the former will press down and over the left thigh about five
inches above the knee. Side-saddles have two holes, in either of which
the leaping horn may be screwed, and for most women it is more
comfortable to have the horn in the lower hole. The left leg below the
knee should be vertical, neither thrust forward with the heel down nor
back with the toe below the level of the heel, nor, on the other hand,
thrust out at an angle of forty-five degrees or so from the horse’s
side. All but experienced riders should ride with the ball of the foot
resting lightly on the stirrup-iron, with the heel a trifle down and the
foot parallel to the horse, or, if possible, pointed in, and this should
be done by turning the leg at the thigh joint, just as is later
described in the cross seat. When a rider has become expert she may ride
with her foot “home,” that is, with the instep resting on the iron. It
is always advisable to ride with the foot “home” when the horse shies or
takes a fast gallop.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION WITH HORSE IN ACTION]
On this correct position of the left leg depends the evenness of the
hips, and on the correct position of both legs depend the level of the
shoulders, the level of the hips, the squareness and firmness of the
seat, and the proper control of balance.
[Illustration: THE POSITION OF THE CHILD ON THE LEFT OF THE PICTURE IS
CORRECT AND THAT OF THE CHILD ON THE RIGHT IS INCORRECT]
CHAPTER II
HANDS
The hands should be held on a level about six inches in front of the
waist; the forearms horizontal, the upper arms hanging naturally from
the shoulders, so as to keep the elbows level, and in a vertical plane
with the shoulders. Bowing the elbows out, or, on the other hand,
clapping them too close to the sides, are common faults, and are equally
bad not only for the sake of appearances, but because, in either of
these positions, the strength of the arms is lessened. Similarly, the
elbows should not be carried back when the hands are in position, for,
if they are, you cannot pull the horse up should he stumble, or, on
occasion, stop him suddenly; nor should they be carried forward over the
knee, for that position is stiff and tiring and gives the body a
tendency to bend forward.
In jumping a horse trained to jump in the American fashion, when
approaching the jump, the hands are carried well forward and, at the
same time, the body is also carried forward. The reason for this is
partly to help the horse over the jump, and partly because the horse,
before he rises, throws his head far to the front, and the rider’s hands
and body move with him. On landing, the horse’s head and with it the
rider’s body and hands resume their normal position.
Both hands should be kept in position, and neither arm should ever be
allowed to hang at the side in military fashion. Nothing looks worse in
park riding for either a woman or a man. In riding a horse that is
bridlewise and perfectly broken so that he will obey the slightest
movement of the reins and can make all the changes of action and of gait
by a mere suggestion from one hand, the other hand should still be kept
in almost the same position as if it held the reins, and remember that
if it is necessary to rearrange the hair or the hat, or if you wish to
make any gesture with the right hand, to be sure to transfer the whip to
the left hand. By neglecting this precaution and carrying the whip in
the right hand, when it is moved about, your horse, or your companion’s,
may see the whip and think he is about to be struck, and a serious
accident may result.
The left hand is the bridle-hand and the one in which the reins should
habitually be carried. After mounting, and in first taking up the reins,
remember that the snaffle rein is a trifle longer and wider than the
curb rein and that the ends of the snaffle reins are joined with a
buckle while the ends of the curb are stitched together.
There are different ways of first taking up the reins. One of the best
is to grasp them together in the right hand, the curb reins in the
middle and the snaffle reins on the outside, drawing them sufficiently
tight to feel the horse’s mouth very lightly, with the ends passing
through the hand and out under the little finger; then, holding them all
horizontal, to pass the left hand down on them vertically, the near
snaffle rein outside the little finger, the near curb between the little
finger and the third finger, the off curb between the second and third
fingers, and the off snaffle between the first and second fingers. Then
let go with the right hand and turn the left hand into its position with
the ends of the reins coming out between the thumb and forefinger.
Another way is first to take up the snaffle reins with the right hand,
the off rein outside the little finger, the near between the first and
second fingers, feel the horse’s mouth lightly, and then pass them into
their correct position in the left hand, the near snaffle outside the
little finger, the off snaffle between the first and second fingers;
then pick up the curb reins with the right hand and pass them to the
left hand separated by the third finger.
A third way is first to pick them up in the right hand in the same
position in which they should finally be in the left hand, except that
the off and near reins are reversed; that is, the off snaffle rein comes
outside the little finger, and the near snaffle rein between the first
and second fingers, and similarly with the curb. Then drop the left hand
over them, in front of the right, as above described, with the fingers
in their correct final position. This position has been already
described, but I will state it again: The near snaffle rein comes
outside of the little finger, the near curb rein between the little and
third fingers, the off curb rein between the third and second fingers,
the off snaffle rein between the first and second fingers; the ends of
the reins come up through the hand and fall to the right between the
thumb and forefinger.
The reins should be adjusted to their proper length with the right hand
so as to feel the horse’s mouth lightly before the fingers of the left
hand are closed on them. With regard to the ends of the reins, it is
equally correct to have all four reins one upon the other, and then put
the thumb on top of them all, or to put the thumb on top of the snaffle
reins and have the curb reins pass to the right of the thumb, if one is
riding on the snaffle; or, if one is riding on the curb, to have the
thumb resting on the curb reins and the snaffle reins passing to the
right of the thumb.
The reins should be properly arranged in the left hand, as I have
described, at the start, when the body and the elbow are in their
correct positions, and they should be held at this same length at all
times and not allowed to slip through the fingers. They should be held
by pressing the edges of the reins, with the fingers, against the
cushion of the hand, and not by squeezing the flat surfaces of the reins
between the fingers. The principal reason why beginners let the reins
slip through their fingers is that they do not hold the reins by the
edges.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION OF REINS
1--Off snaffle rein. 2--Off curb rein. 3--Near curb rein. 4--Near
snaffle rein.]
The whip, crop, or stick, whichever may be carried, belongs in the right
hand, but the whip and stick are both carried with the handle up and
the small end pointing downward whereas the crop should always be
carried with the handle downward and the loop end upward. The reason for
this is, probably, because in England crops which have handles are used
for opening the latches of gates, and, when held in this position, the
handle can be quickly used for this purpose without the crop being
shifted. Another reason is because, when used in the hunting field with
the lash, the lash can be got out quickly, and the crop will be in
position for use at a moment’s notice. Whichever of the three, whip,
stick, or crop, may be carried, hold it lightly in the palm between the
thumb and first finger of the right hand.
I have already described the position of the reins in the left hand. The
next thing to be considered is the position of the left hand itself when
holding the reins.
As I have said, the forearm must be horizontal. The hand must be held
with the knuckles nearly vertical, and not horizontal, as many hold it.
The hand must be bent in toward the body at the wrist, and the wrist
must be flexible so as to give slightly with the movement of the horse’s
head. Nearly all beginners have great difficulty in remembering to keep
the wrist bent, as they are apt to straighten it out so as to give a
direct tug on the horse’s mouth with their arm, and so lose the spring
which the supple wrist would give them.
The right hand should be held symmetrically with the left, bent in at
the wrist in the same way, and with the knuckles at about the same
angle. For beginners, it is better, until they have acquired fairly good
“hands,” to hold the bight of all four reins in the right hand between
the thumb and forefinger, about an inch from the left hand and just
below the whip, the bight of all four reins passing through the right
hand and out under the little finger. This keeps the right hand in
position ready for an emergency, but it does not allow it to interfere
with the even pressure and “feel” which the left hand has on the horse’s
mouth, with both the near and off reins. Remember that, under normal
circumstances, all four reins must be held firmly in the left hand, and
that there must be an exactly even pressure on the horse’s mouth on both
sides, and that, in order to keep the reins so and prevent them from
slipping, they must be held by the edges between the second joints of
the fingers and the cushion of the hand, and must also be firmly pressed
down between the thumb and forefinger.
The right hand should, as it were, be kept in reserve and used as
circumstances may require. For instance, if the horse is thoroughly
bridlewise, he will have been trained to turn to the left by passing
the left hand to the left, at the same time slightly turning it on the
upper arm as a pivot, thus touching the off side of the horse’s neck
with the off reins; similarly, to turn to the right by carrying the left
hand to the right, and turning it to the right on the upper arm as a
pivot, thus bearing the near reins against the near side of the horse’s
neck. Many saddle-horses, however, have not been trained to this, so
they have to be turned in riding very much as in driving; that is, by
pulling the rein of the side toward which they are to turn.
Now, with a horse which has an exceptionally sensitive mouth, and a
rider with exceptionally good hands, this can be done by a mere turn of
the left wrist; but if the horse has not a sensitive mouth, or the rider
has not very good hands, the right hand must be called into assistance.
In such a case turning the horse to the right is very simply
accomplished by taking the off reins in the right hand a few inches in
front of the left (which, however, must retain its grasp of all the
reins without shifting), separated by the little finger, the two reins
passing out between the thumb and forefinger. Then, by a slight pressure
of the right hand, bring the horse’s head around to the right.
Turning to the left, however, is not done by taking up the near reins
in the right hand, as in driving, but by taking the off reins in the
right hand just as if one were going to turn to the right, but without
any pull on the off reins. Then letting the off reins slip slightly
through the fingers of the left hand, and pulling the near reins with
the left hand enough to make the horse turn, and as soon as the turn is
accomplished, restoring the reins to the former position in the left
hand.
Another purpose for which the right hand must be always available is for
shortening the reins. This should be done by grasping the bight or ends
of all four reins together in the right hand, behind the left, between
the thumb and forefinger, passing through the hand and out by the little
finger, and slipping the left hand up on the reins as much as may be
needed.
If, however, more strength is required than can be had from the left arm
only, the right hand should be placed on all four reins in front of the
left hand, which, of course, will have to be turned so as to bring the
knuckles horizontal, the reins occupying the same position in the right
hand as in the left, only reversed; that is, the off snaffle coming
outside the little finger, and the near snaffle between the first and
second fingers, etc. The fingers of the right hand are then closed upon
the reins and the horse pulled in with all the strength of both arms.
I do not mean to imply for a moment that any horse can be pulled up or
stopped by a steady pull on the reins, for no woman is strong enough to
stop a horse who is determined to run, by pitting her strength against
his. There must be a “give and take,” and even in stopping a runaway,
alternately giving him his head and then pulling him in, is far more
effective than a steady pull; nor should a horse ever be stopped or
pulled up with a jerk unless to avoid running over a child or in some
other emergency. To stop a horse or make him slow down, he should first
be given his head slightly by carrying the hand forward, and then pulled
up gradually. If you start to pull a horse with a violent jerk you will
immediately excite his resentment and make him pull against you with all
his strength, and you will end in giving him a hard mouth and developing
a “puller.”
Another purpose for which the right hand should be in readiness is to
tighten the curb reins. If the horse is being ridden, as he usually will
be, either with the pressure on all four reins about even or with the
curb reins somewhat looser than the snaffle, and he starts to pull, or
there is some other occasion for using the curb, the right hand may be
brought over in front of the left and the curb reins taken in the right
from two to six inches in front of the left hand, separated by the third
finger, passing out between the thumb and forefinger. The curb can then
be tightened with the right hand without affecting the snaffle, and the
horse made to slow down or stop, as may be required. Great care,
however, should be taken by beginners not to attempt to do this, as they
would be almost certain to put far too great pressure on the curb, might
cause the horse to rear, and would be very apt to make him start to run,
through obstinacy. I would, therefore, never advise a beginner to
attempt to take up the curb reins in this way unless some emergency made
it imperative.
Some riders with very light hands, when riding very powerful horses with
rather hard mouths, may find it desirable to ride on the curb instead of
on the snaffle. In such case there are two positions which may be taken.
One is to put the curb reins in the position of the snaffle reins and
_vice versa_, and then leave the snaffle reins somewhat looser than the
curb. This is a method much used with the Kentucky type of saddle-horse
and with horses which have been broken to the use of the curb only, as
are nearly all army horses.
Another way of holding the reins when riding on the curb is to separate
the two curb reins with the little finger of the left hand and the two
snaffle reins with the middle finger. The reins are then held in the
army fashion. Some horses have been broken to be ridden in this way,
and the rider may find it easier with them.
Neither of these last two ways of holding the reins of which I have
spoken should be attempted by beginners as they will only confuse them.
[Illustration: REVERSING POSITION OF CURB AND SNAFFLE REINS
1--Off curb rein. 2--Off snaffle rein. 3--Near curb rein. 4--Near
snaffle rein.]
Another point which is very often neglected is that the reins must not
be twisted between the bridle and their ends. Be sure that they are kept
straight at all times, as it looks very badly to see them twisted either
on the neck or in the bight of the reins, and if the bight is twisted,
one is very apt to mix the reins when changing them.
With regard to holding the reins in both hands, this should only be done
by beginners, and in the hunting field, and with absolutely green horses
who have to have their heads pulled around in order to turn them.
I shall discuss the position of the hands in the hunting field in the
chapter on hunting, and what I have said about turning horses who are
not bridlewise covers all that needs to be said about green horses.
Beginners should not use the curb reins at all, and should hold one
snaffle rein in each hand, the snaffle reins being held in the position
of the near snaffle rein in the left hand, and the off snaffle rein in
the right hand; that is, passing outside of the little finger up through
the hand and held between the thumb and forefinger. A beginner,
particularly if she has ever driven, will naturally start to take a rein
in each hand in the driving position, that is, separated by the thumb
and forefinger and coming out under the little finger. This position is
never taken in riding. The object of taking a rein in each hand is to
accustom the fingers to the reins, and the rider to holding the right
hand parallel with the left. Keeping the right hand in a corresponding
position to that of the left not only looks smart and neat, but it helps
to keep the right shoulder in place. Of course, in the side-saddle, the
tendency of all beginners is to carry the right shoulder forward and
higher than the left. If the right forearm is held symmetrically with
the left forearm, the right shoulder cannot be out of place.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION FOR PARK RIDING
Right hand holding reins lightly and riding stick]
[Illustration: REINS IN BOTH HANDS
Position for beginner
Reins in same position in each hand]
In riding astride beginners should also hold a rein in each hand, as
holding the reins in the left hand only tends to pull the left shoulder
forward and out of place. So when riding astride, the symmetrical
position of the right hand and arm with the left brings the right
shoulder forward and keeps the shoulders square.
I have mentioned above the reasons for sometimes reversing the positions
of the curb and snaffle. Another case where this may properly be done is
where a running martingale is used.
Next to balance, light hands are the most important attribute of a good
rider. They really are a gift, like an ear for music, or a delicate
sense of touch, or acute vision, and go with a certain nervous and
sensitive temperament. Some riders have naturally light hands and
scarcely need any instruction with regard to them. With them the feeling
of the horse’s mouth is instinctive. Light hands, however, can, to a
great extent, be cultivated, and there is no excuse for any experienced
rider having heavy hands. Women are more apt to have light hands than
men, and while men may rely on strength to control a horse, and can
control many horses by sheer brute force, women very seldom have
sufficient physical strength to do this. Women should seek “the strength
of effect and not the effect of strength.”
It is hard to define the term “light hands.” If I might attempt a
definition, I would say that the hands serve as a means of communication
between the horse’s and the rider’s mind, so that the rider, through the
touch of the horse’s mouth, communicated through the reins and hands,
knows what is in the horse’s mind and so can make the horse’s mind
instantly respond to the rider’s will, and thus the rider and horse are
at all times in sympathy, and the horse acting with, and not against,
his rider, and the rider with, and not against, her horse.
Lightness does not in any way denote weakness, for, behind the light
touch, there must always be firmness, decision, and strength. Nor does
lightness mean a touch so vague that it produces upon the horse’s mind
an impression of vacillation. In riding it is most important for the
rider, once she has made up her mind what to make the horse do, to make
the horse do that thing and not allow him to do anything else. One
might, indeed, say that lightness of hands is very closely akin to tact
and that it is a means of inducing a horse to adopt as his own the will
of his rider.
I spoke a moment ago of strength. By this I mean firmness and not brute
force. If a rider is fortunate enough to be gifted with lightness, she
will be able to control her horse by a spirit of love instead of
adopting the brutal method of controlling him by fear and having him
prepared at every moment to obtain his revenge upon his rider, as a
horse that has been treated brutally is almost certain to do when he has
the opportunity.
Coupled with the lightness of hands should be fearlessness in the mind
of the rider, and the horse must know both that the rider is fearless
and that she trusts him. If the rider shows a lack of confidence in the
horse and acts as if she were suspicious of him, the horse will soon
know it, and will do exactly what the rider fears that he will. A horse
has a mind which very readily receives impressions from the rider’s
mind. For instance, a rider expects a horse to shy at some object; she
will unconsciously impart that thought into the horse’s mind and the
horse is almost certain to shy; but if she will say to herself, “there
is nothing to shy at, we will simply go quietly by this”; if she does
not interfere with the reins and gives the horse absolutely no sign that
she has any thought of shying in her mind, the horse will, nine times
out of ten, if not ten times, pass by the object without showing the
slightest alarm. It is usually the rider that shies and not the horse.
Some riders make the great mistake of first thinking that a horse is
going to shy at some object, then forcing him, by whip and spur, to go
up to that object and pass it. They will thus bring the horse to a state
of the most pitiable excitement and panic, and, while they may succeed,
they may be quite sure that the next time he sees that object, or goes
by the same place, he will be far more afraid, for he will dread not
only the object itself, but a repetition of the whipping and spurring.
CHAPTER III
MOUNTING--SIDE-SADDLE
There are two ways of mounting with the side-saddle--from the ground and
from the block. The former method is preferable, as a block is seldom
available, and a woman should always be able to mount from the ground
with or without assistance. To mount from the ground without assistance,
stand at the horse’s near side, facing the saddle. Lengthen the leather
to the last hole, take up the reins in the left hand and then place it
on the upper pommel. Place the left foot in the stirrup, assisting with
the right hand if necessary, then grasp the cantle with the right hand
and spring from the right foot, pulling yourself up with both arms, and
throw the body into the saddle, letting go with the right hand just as
you reach the saddle. Then raise the right knee and place it over the
pommel, shorten the leather to its proper length, adjust the skirt, and
place the loops over the feet. While this is easy for a tall woman with
a pony, it is very difficult for a short woman with a large horse, so in
that case the best thing to do is to stand your horse downhill or in a
ditch, or to stand yourself on a stone or a fence--if one is available.
[Illustration: MOUNTING WITHOUT ASSISTANCE
Left foot in stirrup, right hand grasping cantle]
To mount with assistance, the leather being left at its proper length,
stand opposite the cantle, facing to the front, place your left foot in
the man’s right hand or in both his hands clasped, then at an agreed
signal spring from the right foot and have him throw you, but not too
high, into the saddle, then place the right knee over the pommel and the
left foot in the stirrup.
[Illustration: MOUNTING WITH ASSISTANCE
Groom holding the reins in his left hand and assisting with right hand
only]
If your horse is nervous or does not stand well, it is better for the
man who is assisting you to hold the horse’s reins in his left hand and
lift you with his right hand only, or you can take the reins in your
left hand and place it on the pommel and your right hand on the cantle,
and then let the man lift you with both hands.
[Illustration: MOUNTED]
In mounting from the block, the groom stands by the horse’s head and
holds him; you then sit on the saddle, place your right knee over the
pommel and your left foot in the stirrup. The groom should adjust the
straps, or you may adjust them yourself, and you should then take the
reins in the left hand. Never, under any circumstances, when mounting
from the block, put your foot in the stirrup before you are in the
saddle, as, if the horse should start, you would lose your balance and
have a fall.
[Illustration: DISMOUNTING WITH ASSISTANCE]
In dismounting, with or without assistance, the first thing to do is to
take the straps off and clear the left foot from the stirrup, then
throw the right leg clear of the pommel; gather the reins in the right
hand and place it on the pommel, then spring lightly to the ground. If
any one is assisting you, you should place your left hand on his
shoulder. It is most important to clear the stirrup first, as otherwise,
with your right knee clear of the pommel, you might lose your balance
and be dragged.
[Illustration: DISMOUNTING WITHOUT ASSISTANCE]
CHAPTER IV
RIDING ASTRIDE
In these days of “advanced” ideas the advisability of women aping men in
yet another way, by riding astride, is the subject of general
discussion. Many “authorities” upon riding--“mere men,” it is needless
to say--speak with enthusiasm of the day when all women will ride in
this, for most of them, ungainly and unbecoming fashion. Personally, I
deplore this tendency and believe that it is a mere passing fad and
that, except under peculiar conditions which I shall mention, most women
ride best and look best in the side-saddle.
The average woman is not built for cross-saddle riding; her legs from
the knee up are too short; her thighs too thick; her hips too big, and
she is cushioned too high to enable her to keep close down with the
required firmness on the saddle. The side-saddle certainly insures a
stronger seat, especially in all cases of pitching forward, as, for
instance, with a stumbling horse or a kicking one, or on landing after a
jump. With safety skirts and safety stirrups the danger from dragging is
obviated and this, the only serious danger in the use of the
side-saddle, is more than offset in my judgment by the great danger of
a woman being thrown because of her insecure seat in a man’s saddle.
Many claim that the cross-saddle is safer than the side-saddle in case
of a rearing horse falling over backward. I do not agree with this, for,
in the first place, many good men riders have suffered shocking
accidents in this way and, when riding in the cross-saddle, unless the
rider succeeds in throwing himself clear from the horse, he is almost
sure to have one leg broken. On the other hand, with a side-saddle, if
the horse comes down on his off side, there is no danger of a broken
leg, and when the horse starts to rear a woman can usually make him fall
on the off side by pulling his head to that side with all her strength,
so that on this point the ease of clearing oneself from a cross-saddle
is more than offset by the ability to throw the horse with safety and
make him fall on the off side.
Up to the age of eleven or twelve it is a good plan for a young girl to
learn to ride astride and so acquire balance and confidence, but if she
is to use the side-saddle eventually she should certainly begin to use
it at the age of twelve, and I would advise beginning as early as
eleven. If she begins on the cross-saddle and acquires the knack at this
early age, it will be easier for her to take it up again on occasion
later in life, and, of course, the advantages which come from learning
to ride without a saddle can best be acquired astride, though they may
be acquired with a pommel and leaping horn on a surcingle.
[Illustration: CORRECT COSTUME FOR YOUNG GIRLS RIDING ASTRIDE]
In riding, women are very generally accompanied by men, and there are
few occasions when a woman has it in her power to look better--or
worse--than when in the saddle. It is only those women who are built
like men and very young girls who look at all well astride. A woman with
merely a normally developed figure looks both ridiculous and immodest
in this position, and in an English saddle thoroughly ill at ease.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION FOR RIDING ASTRIDE]
Much as I disapprove of most women using the cross-saddle, yet, as this
book is intended to be a somewhat complete treatise on riding for women,
and as many women insist on using the cross-saddle, and as in some parts
of the West, and in roughing it, riding must be astride if at all, I
shall make a few suggestions about the way in which a woman can best
attempt to do this, though it is something in which she can rarely, if
ever, attain perfection.
The saddle for cross riding generally used by women in the East is the
same as a man’s, although some makers are offering a cross-saddle
especially adapted for women (see illustration, page 155). These saddles
are built more on the lines of an army saddle, having more dip and a
straighter flap than those for men.
Many men, and nearly all hunting men and polo players, use plain flap
saddles; that is, without rolls and cut well forward so as to give
plenty of room for the knees (see illustration, page 155). This type of
saddle enables the rider to have his knees well up and forward and gives
him a very firm seat for jumping. Few women, however, are long enough in
the legs from the knee up to take this seat, so most women will find a
roll flap saddle more comfortable.
In the West the Mexican type of saddle is generally used. This saddle
has a high pommel, or even a high horn in front and a very high cantle
serving as a back rest, making what is practically a “dished out” seat,
far better suited to a woman’s conformation than the English saddle. The
Mexican type of saddle, however, is not adapted to a horse with a square
trot, but only to the loping or fox trotting horses of the West. The
reason for this is that in posting or rising to the trot, the knees
should be quite well up and forward, and the Mexican saddle is so built
that in it one cannot take this position.
There are two distinct types of seats recognized in this country which
may be called, for distinction, the military and park seats; the former
is the correct seat for the saddle of the Mexican type. In this seat the
rider sits upright with the legs almost straight, the knees scarcely
bent, and the ball of the foot resting on the iron, with the leather
very long. In fact, many military riders have their legs perfectly
straight and their toes down. This seat is comfortable only on the
“five-gaited” horses; that is, horses whose gaits are the single foot,
the lope, the canter, the pace, but whose trot, instead of being the
smart square trot of the Eastern park hack, is more of a running walk
and is known as the “fox trot.” With a horse that has a true, square
trot, it will be found, as I have said, that posting is both difficult
and tiring with this military seat and it is ill adapted for jumping
anything over two feet in height. In the military seat the trot is taken
up from the ankles, so that the knees are slipping up and down, while in
the park seat posting or rising is done from the knees, which should
remain in the same position at all times.
[Illustration: THE “COWBOY” WESTERN COSTUME AND SADDLE]
The park seat looks much smarter than the other, and suits the gaits of
the types of horses used in the East far better and is the proper seat
for the English or hunting saddle. In this seat the stirrups are
considerably shorter and the knees are well bent and carried in front of
the leathers. The feet may be carried “home” in the irons or resting on
the ball of the foot, as preferred. For hunting, the former is the
position used by almost all men and equally advisable for women. Many of
the best riders ride with their feet “home” at all times because, with
most saddles, particularly if the rider has long legs, with the feet
“home” the lower leg is advanced about six inches and, as it should be,
carried vertically. This brings the knee well in front of the leathers.
This position gives the correct hunting seat and that seat is entirely
correct for park riding. Personally, I prefer riding with the feet
“home” at all times.
To acquire a firm and balanced seat in riding astride, by far the best
method for a child is to take the first lessons on a blanket and
surcingle without stirrups, or on a felt pad with detachable wooden
stirrups. The seat must be close and the rider should rely on balance
and not on the grip of the knees, except in jumping or in emergencies,
such as shying or bucking. The principle, whether with or without a
saddle, is to balance at all times, with an intuition when to grip.
While women cannot be expected to go through this preliminary course
without saddle or stirrups, it is unquestionably the best way to teach
boys, and I see no reason why girls should not go through it as well.
The great advantage of beginning without stirrups is that it teaches a
close seat at the start. Many riders who have not learned by riding at
first without saddle and stirrups acquire the habit of relying
altogether too much on the stirrups to keep their seats. In doing this
their muscles are kept rigid, they become stiff and awkward, and they
rely upon grip and strength, when they should rely on ease and balance.
This fault is especially common with women, probably because they have
been used to the support of the pommel and leaping horn of the
side-saddle.
In riding bareback, or on a blanket, the rider, if she is to retain her
seat at all, must do so by acquiring a close seat, while in the saddle
she can rely more on the stirrups.
[Illustration: MOUNTING ENGLISH FASHION
First position, right hand on cantle. Note that the left hand is
grasping the mane instead of the pommel]
[Illustration: MOUNTING ENGLISH FASHION (ANOTHER WAY)
First position, left hand grasps mane instead of resting on pommel, and
right hand on pommel instead of cantle. This position is good with a
restive horse]
There are two recognized methods of mounting--the “army” and the
“English.” The latter is generally adopted in the East, but there is
much to be said in favor of the former, even with the English saddle,
while it is far the better method with the Mexican or army saddle. The
English method is this: The rider stands on the near side, facing the
saddle. The reins are gathered in the left hand in their proper
position, as described in the chapter on “Seats and Hands,” and are
drawn tight enough to feel the horse’s mouth lightly. The pommel is then
grasped in the left hand. The left foot is placed in the iron, assisted
by the right hand, if needed. The cantle is then grasped in the right
hand and the rider springs from the right foot assisted by the pull of
the arms. The right leg is swung over the cantle and into position on
the off side of the saddle, while at the same time the right hand is
swung forward and out of the way of the leg.
[Illustration: MOUNTING MILITARY FASHION
First position, right hand on pommel, left hand grasping mane. This is
practically the same as shown on page 47]
[Illustration: MOUNTING EITHER FASHION
Second position, body balanced by throwing weight on both arms]
The army method is this: The rider stands at the horse’s near shoulder,
facing toward the pommel. The snaffle reins only are gathered in the
right hand so as to feel the horse’s mouth lightly. The off rein outside
the little finger, the near rein between the first and the second
fingers, and the bight of the reins passing between the thumb and the
forefinger and falling on the near side of the horse so as not to be
caught in the right leg. The pommel is then grasped with the right hand.
The left foot is placed in the iron assisted by the left hand, if
needed. A lock of the mane from six to twelve inches above the withers
is then grasped in the left hand and the rider springs from the right
foot assisted by the pull of both arms. The right leg is swung over the
cantle and into position on the off side, the foot placed in the
stirrup, and then the snaffle reins are passed into the left hand in
their proper position and the curb reins are taken up in the right hand
and placed in their proper position in the left.
This army method of mounting is claimed to be, and I am inclined to
think it is, safer than the other, especially with a restive or kicking
horse. It appears to give the rider a firmer hold while in the act of
mounting. The rider’s weight is so far forward that it is very difficult
for the horse to rear, and the rider, before placing his foot in the
stirrup, stands so far to the front that he is out of the reach of the
horse’s kick. When mounting in the English fashion, if the horse rears
before the rider has swung his leg over, there is quite serious danger
of an accident, and a minor point is that, unless the saddle is tightly
girthed, it is very much less liable to slip when mounting in the army
fashion, as a large part of the weight of the rider is supported by the
horse’s mane.
This army method of mounting is in general use in the West, and of
course in the American army, and many men with army training habitually
use it with the English saddle.
In order to adjust the leathers to the proper length before mounting,
most women will find, as most men do, that the stirrup from the tread of
the iron to the extremity of the leather should be the length of the
whole arm extended, and this may readily be measured by placing the tips
of the fingers on the stirrup bar, so that the base of the iron rests
against the armpit.
After mounting, to adjust the length of the stirrups, clear the feet
from the irons and straighten the legs so that they fall naturally. The
tread of the iron should then be made to come just at the ankle joint,
and the stirrups will then be the right length when the feet are carried
“home.”
[Illustration: DISMOUNTING
Right leg over pommel, left foot clear
Few, however, can dismount in this fashion without shifting the reins]
In dismounting, whichever method you adopt, be sure to clear the left
foot from the stirrup as well as the right foot before you start. There
are two methods in vogue: the first is to clear both feet from the
stirrups and then throw the right leg over the horse’s head, turning the
body on the saddle to the left and dropping the reins for a moment as
the right leg goes over, and gathering them again in the right hand as
soon as it has cleared the horse’s neck; then spring off the horse to
the ground, steadying the body with the right hand on the horse’s
shoulder and throwing the body well clear of the horse. This is a very
good way, unless your horse is nervous or apt to rear. The other way is
to throw both feet clear of the stirrups, then gather the reins in the
right hand and place it on the pommel. Place the left hand on the
horse’s neck and throw the body entirely clear of the horse, the right
leg passing over the horse’s quarters.
[Illustration: DISMOUNTING
Right leg over cantle, left foot clear
This method is safer than the last]
Many riders step off the horse; that is, they keep the left foot in the
stirrup, disengage the right foot, throw the right leg around the
horse’s quarters, then step down in the reverse of the way in which they
mount. This, however, is rather dangerous, for, if the horse should
start when you are in the act of dismounting, you are in a position
where there is almost no control and you are likely to have an accident
through being dragged with the left foot in the stirrup.
It goes without saying that no reliance whatever must be placed on the
reins for keeping the seat. Many beginners, and even some experienced
riders who should know better, whenever they feel themselves losing
their balance, hang on by their reins. This invariably results in giving
the horse a hard mouth, and is very dangerous with a spirited horse or
one whose mouth has not been spoiled by this practice, as it is almost
sure to make him rear, which causes the inexperienced rider to lose her
seat completely. It is the principal cause of the hard mouth of the
typical “riding-school horse.” No rider with good hands will ever hang
on by the reins, and in nearly every case in my experience it has been
the pulling rider and not the pulling horse.
The secret of the close seat in the position astride is to turn the legs
inward _from the thigh joints so as to open the legs to their utmost
capacity_. This brings the rider’s body in the closest possible contact
with the horse’s back and brings the feet parallel, or nearly so, to
the horse’s body, and puts the knees and thighs in the best position for
gripping when necessary. There is a great deal of knack about this. It
is not difficult to put one’s legs in this position at a walk, but it is
difficult to keep them so while the horse is trotting or cantering,
without having the muscles rigid, whereas the leg should be kept in this
position with all the thigh muscles completely relaxed, especially those
underneath the seat. While in gripping it is necessary to contract the
muscles on the upper inner sides of the thighs, these are the only thigh
muscles which should be contracted. The contracting of the other thigh
muscles tends to throw the rider out of her seat. This seat can
certainly be acquired by practice and, once acquired, it becomes second
nature. The majority of riders and nearly all women, instead of turning
the legs inward from the thigh joints, turn their knees out and grip
with the calves of their legs, with all their thigh muscles rigid.
Obviously, as the only joint in the leg on which the leg can rotate is
the thigh joint, turning the knee out twists the whole leg the wrong
way. This results in the large muscles of the thigh being contracted and
in the rider sitting on them, instead of sitting down close to the
saddle. The difficulty is that, with a beginner, it seems natural to
turn the knees out and grip the horse with the calves, but it is
impossible to acquire a firm seat in this way, and the position is not
only awkward and insecure but very tiring.
I cannot say too often that the seat must be acquired by balance and all
the muscles of the legs and of the body and arms must be relaxed. If the
leg muscles are rigid and the legs are not turned inward from the thigh
joints, the rider will be lifted off the saddle by the contraction of
the muscles of the thigh and will not be in balance. Dependence will
then be placed on gripping, and this gripping will be done with the
calves instead of the knees. A sure indication that the legs are thus
held is when the feet are turned outward, for they cannot be unless the
whole leg from the thigh joints is so turned.
The legs should be kept well forward, with the knees in front of the
leathers, and the legs from the knees down vertical and hanging
naturally. At the canter the legs from the knees down should be carried
forward rather than back. The body should be well back in the saddle
about two inches in front of the cantle and resting comfortably.
Most beginners, although they may take this seat while the horse is
standing or at a walk, lose it the moment he takes up a trot. They then
begin to lose their seats by leaning too far forward, contracting the
leg muscles and bringing their legs back. This is chiefly the result of
fear, of self-consciousness, and of “trying too hard.” It is one of the
results of the worst fault of nearly every beginner, that of keeping the
muscles rigid all the time and trying to hold on by legs, pommel, reins,
and mane instead of merely sitting on in a comfortable position and
relying on balance.
With regard to playing polo, many women have the idea that they can only
play polo in a man’s saddle. My opinion, based on my own experience and
the experience of many of my friends, is directly to the contrary. Many
women play polo, and play it very well, in a side-saddle, and I do not
know any reason why a woman cannot play at least as well riding in a
side-saddle as riding astride. She certainly has a more secure seat in
the side-saddle, and the first awkwardness of the back-hand stroke in
this position being overcome, all the other strokes are quite as easy,
and it is so much easier to ride another player off when one is in the
side-saddle that all the women on both teams should ride either in the
side-saddle or in the man’s saddle in order to make the game fair.
CHAPTER V
HUNTING
So many books have been written on “Hunting” and the subject so
exhaustively treated, that I shall only attempt to discuss under this
head a few points of particular interest to women.
When a woman hunts she enters a masculine field of sport, and in the
hunting-field she is meeting men on their own ground and on even terms.
In the hunting-field, therefore, a woman must expect to take her chances
with the men, and she is not entitled to that courtesy and deference
which she may expect on other occasions.
[Illustration: OVER POST AND RAIL]
For example, if a woman loses her hat or stirrup, she should not expect
any man to pick it up for her or to pay her the slightest attention.
Again, if a woman and a man are both going at the same fence, she should
not expect him to pull up and allow her to go over first or to treat her
otherwise than as he would another man. It is not field etiquette. So,
if a woman has a tumble and is not disabled, she need not expect the men
to give up the hunt to help her into the saddle. They are not supposed
to do anything of the kind. It follows, therefore, that if, for
example, a woman and a man are going at the same panel and the man has
the right of way, the woman should yield to him and follow him over.
[Illustration: A HIGH JUMPER AND HUNTER (TACONITE)]
The following are points of hunting etiquette which must always be borne
in mind; indeed, I may almost say that they are rules which must be
strictly observed:
Two riders should never go at the same panel at the same time. While it
is quite right for two or more riders to go at the same fence at the
same time, it is not only against etiquette, but quite dangerous, for
two to go at the same panel. So in going at a single panel--where, for
example, there are trees or wire on both sides, or for any other reason
there is only one panel in the fence which can be jumped, or where it is
what is termed in hunting a “trappy place,” so that the field have to go
over it one after the other--if your horse refuses you should not put
him at it again, but turn him away from the panel and then take your
turn as soon as you have a chance to swing in; otherwise you not only
violate hunting etiquette, but you are in great danger of causing an
accident to the rider who is immediately behind you. Moreover, the whole
field should not be held up while your horse is trying it again.
At a check all the field should, if near the hounds, stand still and
keep quiet, for noise and motion disturb the hounds when they are in the
act of picking up the scent.
The type of hunter suitable for a woman is described in Chapter X--“The
Saddle Horse.” No woman should go into the hunting-field at all unless
she is a thoroughly experienced rider and has complete confidence in
herself. Even then she should not attempt to ride a green hunter until
she has had years of hunting experience. She should ride a qualified
hunter and, however experienced she may be, she should bear in mind
that, in all probability, the horse knows how to take the jumps better
than she does. The maxim, “Let your mount have his head while you keep
your own,” will carry a woman safely and surely to the finish.
[Illustration: GIVING HIM HIS HEAD OVER A JUMP (HEATHERBLOOM)]
As a general rule, unless a woman knows her mount thoroughly and has
ridden him many times, she should not attempt to help him over his
jumps. Every horse has an individual style of jumping, and it is nearly
always best to develop his own natural style and not to attempt to make
him jump in a way that is unnatural to him.
There are three quite different ways in which horses jump: one by
rushing, one by taking the jump in the stride, and the other by popping
over. One cannot say that any one of these styles is best, for it all
depends on the individual horse. Some horses do best in one way, others
in another; and a horse who naturally rushes his jumps can hardly ever
be trained to pop over them quietly, and the horse who has jumped in his
own natural style for years can jump far more safely in that style, even
if it be rushing, than if his rider attempts to make him jump in any
other style.
For a woman the best style of jumping is that of the hunter who swings
along and takes his jumps in a steady stride, and who is neither too
fast nor too slow; who is up with the hounds, yet not on them.
What I am about to say with regard to the seat and hands in jumping
applies to hunting in this country, not in England, for there the horses
are very differently trained; but in any case a woman should always find
out how a horse has been trained before attempting to jump him.
[Illustration: POSITIONS OF HANDS IN HUNTING
Gathering reins before taking off
Giving him his head over a jump]
When in the field the best position in which to hold the reins is to
take them in both hands, the near snaffle and the near curb in the left
hand in their usual position, and the off curb and off snaffle in the
right hand in their usual position, the snaffle and curb in each hand
being separated by the little finger. The ends of the reins come through
the right hand between the thumb and forefinger and the ends are
gathered in a loop which passes between the second and third fingers of
each hand. While it is not necessary to hold the reins in this position
all the time in the field, it is the best position to hold them in when
jumping. When the reins are held in this position the elbows should be
in their usual place, unless you are riding a horse who needs to be
given his head a little more, in which case they must be a little to the
front. Before coming to a jump the arms should not be stiff and the
hands should not be held as far apart as the loop in the reins will
allow.
[Illustration: SIDE-SADDLE, POSITION RISING, HANDS AND BODY FORWARD]
The position of the body and legs is the same as I have described in
chapter I, but, if anything, the stirrups should be one or two holes
shorter than for ordinary riding, so as to have the left knee well bent
and the leaping horn touching the left leg about five inches above the
knee.
[Illustration: ASTRIDE, POSITION OF LEGS, HANDS, AND BODY AT TOP OF
JUMP]
When approaching a jump the horse should be kept well in hand and should
be gathered about two strides before the take-off. The moment he takes
off he should be given his head by dropping the hands and carrying them
well forward with the elbows nearly straight. This will carry the body
well forward, and both body and hands should be kept in this position
until the horse has cleared the jump, when the body should be thrown
back, so that, when the horse lands, the rider’s body will be well back
in the position that it was before he took off.
In jumping, the reins should never be long and must always be held at
such length that if the horse touches or stumbles he can be pulled up,
and this can only be done by carrying the hands well forward in the way
I have described. They must be carried forward in order to give him his
head, for, when a horse comes to a jump, he throws his head very far
forward so as to get his balance and exert his greatest strength.
What I have said above applies equally to a horse that rushes his jumps,
to one that takes them in his stride, and to one that pops over. It is
particularly important to keep a rusher well in hand and not allow him
to get such speed before the take-off that he cannot rise, for, in that
case, he is almost sure to crash into the fence and have a very bad
fall. While most horses need a good deal of speed to carry them over the
jumps, they should not be at their top speed, for if they are they will
not rise.
What I have said above applies to an American-trained hunter.
If you are riding an English-trained hunter, the manner of approaching a
jump is entirely different. With them, if you give them their head too
much they stop, so that in order to make them jump you have to lean
back and pull on the reins. If you attempt to jump an English-trained
horse in the American way or an American-trained horse in the English
way, you are very apt to come to grief.
[Illustration: SIDE-SADDLE, FRONT VIEW, RISING]
What has been said above with regard to the manner of jumping a fence
applies equally to jumping a ditch or anything else.
The higher or the broader a jump, the more important it is to take it
correctly. The difference between the various jumps is well expressed in
the old maxim, “Fast at water and ditches and slow at timber”; but
there is so much timber and so few ditches and water jumps in this
country, and the pace is so fast, that this advice is hard to follow.
When I say fast I refer to drag hunting.
[Illustration: COMING DOWN]
In hunting, a woman should be at either the front or back. It is better
for her not to be in with the field, and she should regulate her pace
according to the horse she is on. If in a strange country, the best
thing for her to do is to follow some good rider who knows the country
well rather than attempt to pick her way as she would in a country which
she knew.
[Illustration: A GOOD TYPE OF HUNTER, BRED IN VIRGINIA (PHILOSOPHER)]
In hunting it is most important to save your horse, to keep him fresh
for the jumps, and not tire him out at the start. Don’t ride to the
“gallery,” and if you have the choice between a sensational jump and a
gap, take the gap and save your hunter. Remember that you are not giving
an exhibition of high jumping, nor are you in a horse-race.
Bear in mind that the master or huntsman sets the pace and that,
ordinarily, particularly at the start, he should be in the lead. One
should not pass the huntsman and, above all things, one should never
ride up on the hounds. If you come to a ploughed field, go around it if
you can, and, if you have to cross it, spare your horse as much as
possible.
[Illustration: A GOOD TYPE OF HUNTER, BRED IN THE NORTH (RIPPLE)]
Somehow hunters go better for a woman than for a man. Perhaps it is
because a woman’s hands are lighter, either from ignorance or
knowledge, or perhaps it is because a woman is not so insistent and is
less domineering. It is always better to let the hunter jump than to
jump the hunter.
Ordinarily a good hunter may be hunted at least twice in a week, but so
much depends on the country, on the rider herself--to say nothing of the
horse--that one cannot lay down any rule in regard to this. Between the
hunts, unless after an unusually stiff run, a hunter may be larked a
bit, or driven to a light trap, or walked for an hour or two. This will
ordinarily keep him in better condition than letting him stand in the
stable. In fact, in my own experience, I have known hunters that were
hunted one day and driven to market the next, and the market I have in
mind was not at all near home. Many heavy-weight hunters are driven from
time to time in the wheel, and light-weight hunters in the lead, both of
a four and tandem. Indeed, the leader of a tandem was originally a
hunter. So that a hunter may be a useful horse in the stable.
If one has a thoroughly reliable and seasoned hunter well up to one’s
weight, he ought to be able, barring accidents, to carry one through the
season, unless one is attempting to hunt more than twice a week, and
there are few women in this country who are strong enough to do that.
[Illustration: CORRECT HUNTING COSTUME
Note the way the thong is carried]
In chapter VIII I have indicated the costume for the hunting-field, but
for convenience I will restate it here. The correct appointments for the
side-saddle are:
Breeches of either dog-skin or buckskin or white cloth or of the same
material as the habit.
The habit should be very dark gray, almost black, hunting cloth. The
collar should be of the colors of one’s hunt.
The buttons should be black, with the name, design, or monogram of the
hunt in white or gold. The correct coat is made without a seam in the
middle of the back and with two vents at the side instead of one in the
middle, and is somewhat shorter than the habit coat that many women
wear. It may be made with five or three buttons, according to the
wearer’s fancy, but preferably with five.
An apron or half-apron skirt should be worn, for safety’s sake.
The boots must be of black calf. Patent-leather or russet boots are not
correct in the field.
A silk hat is correct, but a derby or a hunting hat, such as I have
described in chapter VIII, may be worn, and a hat guard, such as I have
there described, is necessary.
Either tan dog-skin or white buckskin gloves are correct.
An Ascot stock should be worn with a plain bar gold pin.
Attached to the two D’s on the off-side of the saddle should be a
sandwich case with a flask in it, a sandwich in the case, and a drink in
the flask.
[Illustration: SANDWICH CASES AND FLASKS]
A pair of white woollen gloves must be carried on the off-side under the
flap.
In England a crop is always carried in the field. In this country it is
correct, but a cutting whip may be carried instead. If a crop is carried
it may have a thong, although, personally, I think it a great nuisance.
The saddle and bridle are the same as I have described in chapter IX,
except that, in the field side-saddle, a woman should always use a
breastplate, and if she has a horse that cannot carry a breastplate she
had better not hunt him.
As I state in chapter IX, a standing martingale should never be used in
the field, but a running martingale may be used if the horse requires
it, as is often the case. For many horses the best bit to use in the
field is a plain snaffle, with very large rings, so that the bit cannot
be pulled through the horse’s mouth. The bridle should have a cavesson,
instead of the usual noseband. Other horses go better with what is known
as a four-ring snaffle; that is, a snaffle which, instead of having the
cheek pieces attached to the snaffle rings, has them attached to
separate rings, the rings to which the cheek pieces are attached and the
snaffle rings being of the same size and both much larger than the rings
of an ordinary snaffle-bit. The reins only are attached to the snaffle
rings in this form of bit. This bit is more severe than a plain snaffle,
but much less severe than a curb.
Generally speaking, only riders with very light hands should use the
curb bit in the hunting-field, unless with horses having unusually hard
mouths, or “pullers.” In going over the jumps it is very difficult to
keep an even pressure on the curb, and there is great danger of bringing
up the horse too short on landing.
CHAPTER VI
THE SHOW RING
In showing horses under saddle, the mental and physical attributes of
the rider have a greater scope than when riding under any other
circumstances. Very frequently it is the rider who wins blue ribbons
quite as much as the horse, and at every horse show one sees horses lose
the ribbons which they should win because of the crude way in which they
are shown. A woman, in justice to herself as well as to her mount,
should not enter the show ring until she has become a thoroughly
experienced and accomplished rider, and however well a woman may ride in
the park or in the field, it by no means follows that she will be able
to bring out the best points of a horse in the ring.
Just as there are horses which win countless blue ribbons in shows, but
do not compare with other horses in the field or for general use, so, on
the other hand, there are women whose only delight is the show ring.
They hunt not, neither do they hack.
The experience which has been gained in ordinary riding will not be of
very great assistance in showing “horse show horses”; that is, horses
which are kept only for show purposes. These animals require most
careful handling and a thorough comprehension of their individual
characteristics.
[Illustration: LADY’S PARK HACK TYPE (CORINNE)]
The most important thing for a woman to bear in mind when showing horses
is to be a cheerful loser. A feeling of good-fellowship should pervade
and the spirit of rivalry should not be carried to extremes. Do not
think that you have been unfairly treated when you have not won, or
that the losing of the blue necessarily means that your horse is not
good. Perhaps on this occasion he was not in his best form and perhaps
at some other time, before some other judge, you will have better
success.
One should always remember this: that the names of the judges are
published in advance, and if one does not care to submit one’s horse to
their judgment, one need not compete. If, by any unfortunate chance, the
judges should be changed after one’s horses are entered, there are two
courses open--either to stay in and abide by their decision or withdraw
one’s horses and state the reason. Certainly, after having voluntarily
submitted the horses to their judgment, it is most unsportsmanlike and
contrary to the spirit of fair play to criticise the judges for their
decision, and it has been my experience, after many years of showing
horses, that the judges are fair and impartial and do their best to
render their decisions upon the merits of the horses. One should also
remember that the judges are usually men of very wide experience and
thorough knowledge of the points of a horse, and that they see many
faults and blemishes which would escape the eye of the spectator.
A horse presents an altogether different appearance when seen from
within the ring to that which he presents from without. A horse that
steps very high and has a flashy, all-round way of going and looks from
without like a winner, may be seen from within the ring to have serious
faults, such as dishing, paddling, crossing forward, or spreading too
wide behind. Outsiders, of course, do not have the opportunity which the
judges have to examine the horses critically, and all they can base
their judgment on is the general effect which a horse produces at a
distance. A horse which may appear to an outsider strong and bold may,
on closer inspection, be seen to be coarse-necked and heavy in the
shoulder or too big-boned for his class, and a horse with truer action
and better quality, conforming to the standard of his class, may easily
be overlooked by the outsider.
To prepare a horse for the show ring requires weeks and even months of
work. He must be in perfect condition; his coat must be fine, his eye
bright, and he must be neither too fat nor too lean, and his preparation
must be so timed that, on the day of the show, he will be at the top of
his condition. All this involves good feed, plenty of water, and quiet,
systematic exercise.
It is most desirable that the person who is to show the horse should
have ridden him several times before the show--the oftener the
better--so that the horse and rider may know each other thoroughly, and
the rider may understand all there is to be known about that individual
horse’s training, and how best to bring out his good points.
I consider it a bad plan for a horse to come into the ring too fresh.
Some people seem to think that horses must be saved up for the show. I
think, on the contrary, that horses should be worked quietly and
regularly for weeks before and during the show as well. In the first
place, the music, the noise of the crowd, the strangeness of the scene,
and of such a gathering of people, all tend to excite a horse and make
him more difficult to control, so that this excitement will give a horse
all the appearance of spirit that is needed. Besides this, a very fresh
horse rarely shows good manners, and in all ladies’ classes manners
count fifty per cent. By manners I mean that on entering the show ring a
horse must not look as though he were about to make even a small,
unharmful buck; he must not be inclined to kick at the horse back of him
nor to bite the horse in front of him; he must not stop at the gate as
he passes it, nor must he try to edge in toward the centre of the ring
while going around or when changing; he must not hold his head either
too high or too low; he must not seem to be taking too much hold on the
bit, nor must it require three or four times around the ring to settle
him down. In other words, he should not look as if he were being
exercised rather than shown.
[Illustration: LADY’S PARK HACK (MARKSMAN) AS HE WAS WHEN FIRST SHOWN]
In England they have a very good method of showing horses in the ring;
that is, they start them at the canter, then bring them down to the
trot, and lastly down to the walk. In this way a horse is well settled
down, has lost most of his freshness and excitement, and will usually
walk quietly, as he should.
Here we start at the walk, then take the trot, and then the canter.
Consequently many horses under the influence of the excitement of the
music and noise will not walk or stop, but jigjog and side step, which
condemns a lady’s horse at once. Were these same horses ridden in the
English way, they would be quiet by the time they came to the walk and
would win the blue ribbon which they deserve.
[Illustration: MARKSMAN A YEAR LATER, AFTER HE HAD BEEN “FINED DOWN,”
WHEN HE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP]
It is particularly desirable that this English method of showing horses
should be adopted, now that the English type of riding horse--that is, a
thorough or three-quarter bred--is becoming so popular in this country.
This is just the kind of horse which will not start quietly at a walk in
the show ring. Probably our way of showing came into vogue at a time
when the ladies’ saddle horse was a much quieter animal, with less of
the hot thoroughbred blood in him than he has now.
A horse should enter the ring at a quiet, easy walk, not inclined, as I
have said, to jigjog. He must keep in line--that is, follow the horse in
front of him--unless his natural gait is faster, in which case you have
the right to pass and can swing into line when you see a space.
He must take both the trot and the canter from the walk at command. The
latter is particularly important in the ring, as it is not permitted to
take the canter from the trot. He must canter easily, right or left,
according to the way he is going around the ring. That is to say, when
going around to the right he must canter on the right foot, and when
going around to the left on the left foot. Parenthetically I may remark
that the reason for this is that, at the canter, a horse’s body is held
diagonally to the line of the direction in which he is going and pointed
in the opposite direction to the foot on which he is cantering; that is
to say, when he is cantering right his body is pointed diagonally to the
left and vice versa. From this it follows that the foot on which he is
cantering must be on the inside of the circle or turn which he is
making. Otherwise he is almost sure to cross his legs and very apt to
fall.
It is very important, therefore, that a horse should be able to change
his foot at command. It is always a strong point in a horse’s favor if
he changes readily from the right to the left in cantering, and while a
horse under the side-saddle should canter normally right, he must canter
left when circling or turning to the left.
For the ring a horse must stand quietly, back and start readily, and,
when the horses are lined up, he must be willing to leave the line and
to show perfect manners up and down the ring.
Fortunately for the exhibitors, the old-fashioned way of putting horses
through figure eights and small circles has been done away with. Now,
all that is required in the ring is, first, walk your horse; then, at
the command of the ring master, change his gait to a trot, and then, at
command, walk again and then pass from the walk to the canter and
continue cantering until the ring master tells you to stop, and, of
course, make such changes of direction as he indicates.
Then the horses which are selected to stay in the ring are lined up and
the others are given the gate. Next, if the judges so desire, each of
the horses lined up is put through his paces. Then the judges, after a
detailed examination of each of the selected horses, award the
ribbons--blue for first, red second, yellow third, and white fourth.
There are many important things to remember while riding in the show
ring. The most important is to keep yourself and your horse under quiet
control. Then, no matter what the decision may be, at least you have the
satisfaction of having shown your horse at his best. It is important to
have a place in line and try to keep it whatever it happens to be. It is
not at all necessary to pass the rider ahead. Passing the rider ahead
while in front of the judge, at least, _looks_ premeditated. It makes it
much harder for him to get a proper view of the horse you are passing
and does not help him to view your horse, nor is it courteous to the
other riders. If your horse naturally walks, trots, or canters a bit
faster than the horse in front of you, so that, to show your horse to
his best, it is necessary to pass, it is quite as easy to find an
opportunity to pass somewhere else than just in front of the judge. So,
when the ring master asks all the riders to line up, it is not necessary
that they should all attempt to do so next to the judges’ stand. The
judges do not remain there, and the fact that your horse is nearer the
stand does not bring him nearer the blue ribbon.
In backing a horse, remember that his head must not be too low on his
chest. His neck should be well arched up and his head drawn in on the
neck and high on the chest.
If you find that your horse does not back readily, it is probably
because his forefeet are too far forward. In this attitude he is in the
best position to resist you whatever you may do, and you may find it
impossible to back him in the usual way. In such a case, first give him
his head and a touch with the heel, starting him forward a step or two;
then gather him and, by pulling gently, you will find that he backs
readily.
In the ring always remember to do implicitly what the judge asks. Even
if the judge should demand a circle, circle you must, and if a figure
eight, that too must be done.
After you have lined up and when your horse is being put through his
paces, remember, in turning, always to turn your horse’s head toward the
fence and not toward the centre. If you turn toward the centre, the
horse is very apt to try to join the other horses as they stand lined
up, however good may be his manners.
Of course, before you ride a horse in the ring, you must be sure on
what signal he is trained to take the canter. I have explained on page
84 that some horses are trained to take the canter when the rider turns
their head to the side on which they are to canter and touches lightly
the curb rein on that side. Other horses are trained to take the canter
on merely touching the curb rein on the side on which they are to
canter. Thus they are trained to canter right by touching the right
curb. Other horses, again, are trained to take the canter on a signal
given by raising the curb rein on the side on which they are to canter
and at the same time carrying the hand to the other side. Thus, to make
such a horse canter to the right, carry the left hand to the left and at
the same time raise the off curb rein with the right hand. It is,
therefore, most important to know the signal to which your horse is
accustomed; otherwise he may either not take the canter or canter on the
wrong foot.
A most important point which should never be overlooked is to be sure
that your own saddle, which you should use, if possible, in the show
ring, fits the horse you are to ride. Otherwise the horse may appear to
have lost his manners when the real trouble is that the saddle is
hurting him and making him fretful and nervous.
[Illustration: LINED UP
Ladies’ class in a country show]
In walking, while a horse should appear to have his head, one must be
careful not to let his head nod, for this often gives an appearance of
lameness. I believe it is sometimes called bridle lameness. I once had
such an experience myself. The horse was perfectly sound but thought to
be lame because I had given him his head too much; that is, ridden him
with too loose a rein. A horse, while walking, should have his head well
placed, not too low or too high, and a horse whose head is up and neck
well arched is much more becoming to a woman than a horse that carries
his head down.
In general, in the ring, a horse had better be ridden on whatever rein
he has been trained to go by, whether it be curb or snaffle, and so much
depends on the individual peculiarities of the horse and rider that no
definite rule can be laid down. The important thing is to have light
hands and not to do anything to excite or annoy the horse.
Just a few more words of advice gleaned from the experience of many
years. Never, if you can prevent it, display the slightest particle of
nervousness when mounting or on entering the ring. Horses--especially
the high-spirited ones--are very sensitive to touch and to the mental
attitude of the rider, and they know at once from the rider’s hands
whether her head is steady and cool or nervous and excited.
CHAPTER VII
HINTS ON RIDING
If you have occasion to ride for any considerable distance, and
particularly if the weather is hot, bear in mind that the weight of the
rider and saddle on his back for a long period of time tires the horse
quite as much as forcing him beyond his gait. It is better, therefore,
to keep a horse at a sharp walk or, if you are trotting, at a sharp
trot, so as to cover the ground and then to rest him at intervals for
ten or fifteen minutes, than it is to keep going for the whole time at a
slow walk or trot. When you rest your horse be sure to loosen the
girths, and, if you have far to go, it is better to take the saddle off
entirely and let the horse roll if he wants to, as few things refresh
him as much.
It is equally important not to force a horse under saddle beyond his
gait; find out his natural fast gait and keep him at it and neither
force him beyond it nor let him lag.
If you have a nervous or high-spirited horse who wants to go, it is far
better to let him go in moderation than to be constantly holding him
back, as that worries and fatigues him and, in the meantime, you are
not covering the distance. So, if you are riding in company and your
horse is the more spirited of the two, you will find it easier for your
horse to let him keep about one-half a head in advance of the other,
for, if you keep him level or hold him back, he will be fretting all the
time and tire both himself and his rider.
In riding, even for a short distance, it is most advisable to start and
finish your ride at a walk, following the old maxim, “Walk the first
mile out and the last mile in.” At the beginning of a ride a horse needs
to get going a bit in order to be limbered up and catch his wind. So, if
you start off, as many do, at a fast trot or a canter, the horse will
soon be winded and the rest of your ride will be spoiled. If you start
him slowly, he will warm up to his work and you will have the best part
of the ride where it should be--toward the end and not at the beginning.
When you bring your horse home he should be well cooled off before he
arrives, that he may not take a chill. By bringing your horse home in
this condition, you save your groom a vast amount of work, and work
which only the most conscientious grooms can be depended upon to do;
that is, to cool the horse off properly before he is stabled or fed.
With regard to the gait at which you should ride, it is, of course,
impossible to lay down any rule, so much depends upon the rider, the
horse, the length of the ride, the season of year, etc., but one point
should be constantly kept in mind, and that is, unless you are riding a
trained hunter, to go down all hills that amount to anything at a walk.
If you have to go down faster than a walk, a horse is much less likely
to stumble going downhill at the canter than at the trot. It is also
easier both for the rider and horse to go uphill at the canter than at
the trot; though, of course, if the hill is a long one, it is better to
walk it. In going uphill, always give a horse his head, and, in going
downhill, keep him well in hand and ride him on the snaffle so that you
may be able to pick him up the moment he stumbles.
In riding at night, when it is too dark for you to see the road, let
your horse pick his own way, as a horse sees very much better in the
dark than a person.
If you are riding through a strange country and lose your way, give him
his head and he will find the way home. Horses have an exceptionally
well developed sense of locality and can nearly always be trusted to
find their way home by instinct.
In these days of automobiles, it is important to follow the rule of the
road and always keep to the right.
If you have occasion to dismount and lead your horse, by far the best
way to hold him is, standing on the near side, to take the two curb
reins in the right hand, separated by the forefinger and passing through
the body of the hand where they are firmly held, keeping the hand about
two or three inches from the bit. In this position you have the horse
under perfect control, and, when you are leading him with your hand in
this position, do not look at him or pay any attention to him and you
will find that he will follow. Whereas, if, as many do, you take only
one rein in hand along the horse’s neck and then speak to him, he will
either pull back or he may get away from you and you cannot stop him.
Approach your horse’s head from the side and not the front, and be sure
not to raise your hand or whip or do anything which might frighten him
or give him the idea that you were about to hit him on the head. Horses,
especially Western-bred horses, are very sensitive about their heads
and, if an attempt is made to grab the reins suddenly or violently, they
are almost sure to back away and very apt to rear.
If your horse limps and you are alone, or the person whom you are with
does not know what to do, you should immediately dismount and look at
the foot on which he is limping, to see if he has picked up a stone or
run a nail into his foot. In picking up a horse’s foot it is most
important to put yourself in a position where he cannot kick you. To do
this, approach the foot which is to be taken up from the front, face to
the rear, and grasp the horse’s fetlock with the hand nearest to him. If
he refuses to lift his foot, push his foot forward and, if necessary,
put your weight against his shoulder or stifle, so as to throw his
weight on the other leg. If you have not a hoof-pick about you, the best
way to dislodge a stone is to hammer it with another stone and, if you
are quiet and gentle with your horse, you probably will be able to
dislodge it without much trouble. If, however, you cannot dislodge it,
do not attempt to ride your horse while he has the stone in his foot,
but lead him until you get assistance. If your horse has run a nail in
his foot, you must immediately have it drawn out by some one who knows
his business, as it is not only very painful, but there is great danger
of lockjaw.
In regard to park hacks and long-tailed saddle horses, the only way to
solve the problem in this country of the two types, in horse shows, is
to divide the classes having long tails and short tails. At present in
horse shows in the saddle classes long-tailed and docked horses are
frequently entered in the same class, which makes it doubly difficult
for the judge, at times causing his decision to depend largely upon his
personal preference for long-tailed or docked horses. I would suggest,
therefore, that in all shows where the long-tailed and docked horses are
not divided into separate classes in advance, there should be an
informal division made before the judging, very much as is done with
respect to the championship classes, where the judges often are
permitted to divide the classes into horses above and below 15.2.
Every horsewoman should have at least a general knowledge of when and
with what to feed her horse. In general a horse should be fed three
times a day, and the allowance for the average horse is four quarts of
oats, at six in the morning, and as much hay as he will eat about an
hour later. At noon two quarts of oats and hay about an hour later, and
at night a bran mash composed of about two quarts of oats and an equal
mash of bran, well salted. A horse should never be watered after eating.
He should be watered about twenty minutes before his first morning meal
and may be watered about twenty minutes before each of his other meals.
There is no objection to watering him at other times, not after feeding,
and in hot weather it is advisable to water him frequently. When
watering a horse in the stable, he should be allowed to have as much as
he wants to drink, but the water should never be very cold. In winter
the chill should always be taken off the water before it is given to
the horse.
The above hours for feeding, except the hour for his breakfast, must,
however, be modified by the time when he comes in from work, as a horse
should always have a good rest and be thoroughly cooled off before he is
fed oats. He can eat hay when he is hot but never oats.
Many horses will require more than the above allowance and many others
less, and some horses require as much humoring about their food as a
nervous child.
If a horse is very thin and not working hard, one of the best ways to
fatten him is to give him light, steady work and mix molasses with his
feed. If, however, a horse is becoming poor in spite of taking all his
food, it is probably because his teeth are too long and need filing
down, as a horse with long teeth will never masticate or digest his food
properly.
With most horses, any food remaining in the manger after a meal should
be taken out and thrown away, as the sight of it is apt to disgust them
and put them off their feed.
A sweating horse should not be watered unless while on the road, in
which case it does him no harm to give him, from time to time, a drink
of not too cold water, but after each drink he should be walked for
five or ten minutes before taking up the trot or canter.
While on the road it is much safer not to let your horse eat any grass,
and if he does eat any, be sure not to trot him until he has had ample
time to digest it. On the other hand, when a horse is brought home and
is being cooled off by the groom, it refreshes him very much to be
allowed to nibble the grass.
It is very advisable, if you have land enough, to have a portion fenced
off as a paddock, even if you keep only one or two horses. When a horse
comes in tired, after a hard day, nothing refreshes him so much as to be
turned out without even a bridle, and allowed to roll as much as he
wants; and if horses are not being used it is better for them to be
turned out for a few hours in the paddock rather than to remain all day
in the stall. If you have a paddock, however, be sure that the fence is
high enough to prevent your horses jumping it, and be particularly
careful that the inside of the fence is smooth and that there are no
nails or barbed wire or anything that might injure the horse. There are
portable paddock fences to be had, which are easily put up and moved,
and they are very useful when you move your stable about from place to
place.
If you are fortunate enough to buy a thoroughly trained horse, the
difficult thing is to keep him so without spoiling him by over
indulgence on the one hand, or, on the other, by arousing his obstinacy
by fighting instead of controlling him. Quite as much tact and
forbearance are needed in the handling of horses as in handling
children. They should not be punished for trifling faults, nor should
grave faults be allowed to become habits.
Much can be done by caresses and the use of the voice. But in the
caressing be sure that the horse does not think that you are slapping
him. Most horses resent being slapped on the back quite as much as most
of your friends. In fact, all horses worth riding dislike anything that
will startle them, or any sudden shock.
It is easy to establish a sort of a private signal code with your horse,
which he will always understand. It is only necessary always to do the
same thing to bring about the same result. If you wish your horse to
move the part of the body in front of the saddle, the signal should be
by stroking him on the neck or shoulders, and if he is to move any part
of his body behind the saddle, he should be stroked or touched on the
quarters. If he obeys, continue stroking, but if he disobeys or
misunderstands, cease the caress. In time he will come to regard the
caress as a signal. For example, if you wish your horse to back, do not
stroke him on the neck, nor if you wish him to turn from one side to
the other should you stroke his quarters. Much more can be done with a
horse through kindness than through fear. Unbounded patience is needed,
and the individual peculiarities of each horse must be made the subject
of careful study. Some horses are intelligent while others are stupid,
and it is with the latter that good horsewomanship comes to the fore. A
stupid horse has to be led on step by step, and should only be taught
one lesson at a time and should master that before proceeding with the
next. When you are training your horse and he shows obstinacy, or
appears to be stupid, before starting to punish him or compelling him to
obey your will, be sure first that the cause of his obstinacy is not
some petty discomfort--such as an ill-fitting bit or a sore back, too
tight a girth, or indigestion. Nine times out of ten the reason for a
horse’s obstinacy is that he is uncomfortable or that his mind is
distracted by some petty annoyance. Furthermore, a horse when he is
fresh can seldom be taught anything. The best thing to do is to give him
thirty or forty minutes good straightaway work until he is calmed down,
and then you can command his attention. He will then go along without
gazing around or being distracted by every passing trifle, and all his
faculties will be at the command of his rider.
When riding in company remember there is a “riding courtesy.” You have
your comrade and your comrade’s horse to consider as well as yourself
and your own horse. The two horses should be kept going together, and on
the same gait as much as possible, so if your horse begins to urge
ahead, keep him back a trifle. There is nothing more annoying than the
“galloping friend” who will not take the trouble to control her mount,
and so makes the other horse nervous and unmanageable.
Never “cluck” to your horse, even when you are riding alone. It is a
very bad habit to acquire, and, when you are riding in company, the
other horse or horses are sure to hear you and to increase their gait
quite as much as you want your horse to increase his. You are supposed
to ride a trained horse, who will obey the signals from the reins, heel,
or whip, and if your horse does not know these signals he must be taught
them before you ride in company. Do not, however, under any
circumstances, flourish your whip or use it with such force that another
horse can hear it, for the effect will be quite as bad as clucking.
If your horse lays his ears back and bites at the other horse, do not
pull his head away, especially if you are up with the other horse, for
that will put him in a position where he can kick to great advantage.
Instead of pulling his head away, rein him back and keep his head
straight.
If you have occasion to raise your right hand to adjust your hat or
hair, be sure first to place the whip in the left hand, as otherwise
your horse or your comrade’s horse is very apt to be frightened by
seeing the whip flourished in the air.
A most important point to be remembered is that your horse should be
girthed before you mount him, and never after mounting--first, because
it is very dangerous to mount with the girths loose, for if the horse
should break away from the groom, or whoever is holding him, or even
swerve or buck suddenly, the saddle is almost sure to twist and there
may be a very bad accident; and, secondly, because girthing a horse
after the rider is mounted generally results in the girths being drawn
too tight, and too tight girths not only cause the horse great pain but
make him apt to stumble or lag in his gait and become unduly exhausted.
Tight girthing has very much the same effect on the horse as tight
lacing has on the rider.
If you have occasion to look to the rear, always turn your body toward
the right; not only is it much easier to look around in this way, but
you cannot turn to the left without raising your right knee more or
less, and you are apt to raise it so high that if the horse should
start suddenly you would lose your hold of the pommel.
[Illustration: SAFETY STIRRUP, OPEN]
[Illustration: SAFETY STIRRUP, CLOSED]
With the side-saddle, safety skirts and stirrups should always be used,
as with them a fall is very unlikely to injure the rider. With the plain
skirt a bad accident may be caused through the skirt catching on the
pommels, and with a plain stirrup there is great danger of being dragged
by the foot.
If the horse shies to the right, always remember to throw the weight to
the left; this keeps the legs tight in position which enables the rider
to maintain her balance; whereas, if you throw your weight to the right,
you lose the grip from the right knee and have no means of recovering
your balance, so that a fall is inevitable. Of course, if the horse
shies to the left you should throw your weight to the left for the same
reason. Owing to the very strong grip of the right knee over the pommel,
it is almost impossible for a woman to be thrown to the near or left
side of the horse; the only real danger is of being thrown to the right,
and, as there is nothing to stop a woman from falling on the off or
right side of the saddle, as there is on the left, it follows that,
toward whichever side the horse may shy, the only thing to do is, as I
have said, to throw the weight to the left.
When you feel yourself being thrown, especially if you have on a plain
skirt or have a plain stirrup, or both, be sure not to let go of the
reins, for in case you do not fall clear of the saddle, your one chance
for self-preservation is that in some measure you still have control of
the horse. If you keep hold of the reins you have a good chance of being
able to pull him in and keep him from running away, and you will save
yourself from being dragged and probably escape a very serious accident.
If a horse in the act of shying or balking succeeds in turning half-way
round with you, do not try to turn him back against the direction in
which he has shied, but, instead, pull him quickly and completely around
in the direction which he has taken. He will not attempt to resist you
and you will at once have him back in his original position and going
in the original direction.
If your horse rears, give him his head immediately and throw your weight
as far forward as possible. This will usually bring him down. If,
however, you feel that he is going over, remember that a horse when he
rears always falls to one side or the other. Therefore, as soon as you
find that he is bound to fall, pull his head with all your strength to
the right so as to make him lose his balance and fall on that side. The
chances are that you will not be hurt, whereas, if he falls to the left,
you are almost sure to have your legs caught beneath him and so be
seriously injured.
If your horse backs, give him his head and particularly be sure not to
have any pressure on the curb, as that keeps his head in. Sit close and
urge him forward with the left leg and touch him on his off quarter with
your whip. If you are wearing a spur, touch him lightly at first and
then as hard as may be necessary.
If your horse kicks or bucks, keep his head up by loosening the curb and
using the snaffle only. Sit close and put him in motion, but be careful
not to let the left leg go back, as this is apt to terrify him and make
him kick or buck all the harder. Very few horses will either kick or
buck when they are in motion, and, unless the horse is vicious and is
an habitual kicker or bucker, his kicking or bucking is usually caused
by freshness, and the best thing to do is to make him canter until he
has calmed down.
If your horse balks, by far the best thing to do is to distract his
attention or else let him stand quietly without offering him any
resistance. A horse has only one idea in his mind at a time, but that
idea is very fixed, so that if you strike a balking horse or resist him,
you will simply arouse all his obstinacy and he will balk all the worse.
The best way to distract his attention is to pet him and speak to him.
In the course of a short time he will tire of the balking and attempt to
start forward. If at this moment you keep him standing a bit longer he
will become possessed of the idea that he wants to go, and you will have
no more difficulty with him for the time being. Indeed, I have found
that this is by far the best way to break a horse of the habit of
balking.
When you are riding in company, an important thing for both your
companion and yourself to remember is that if your companion, whether
man or woman, is mounted on a slower horse than yours, and your horse
starts to run, the very worst thing that he can do is to try to catch
you. The noise and excitement which his horse produces will make your
horse run all the faster; his horse being slower, he will not be able
to catch you, and you will be almost sure to have a runaway. I have
known of many very serious accidents being caused through a man trying
to catch a girl’s horse when her horse was merely galloping a little too
fast. Unless your companion is a thoroughly experienced rider and has a
horse that he knows is faster than yours, he had much better rein his
horse in and give you a chance to control your own horse. It may also be
remarked that it is a very difficult thing to catch a runaway horse, and
any one who attempts it is taking a great risk, not so much for himself
as for the girl whose horse he is attempting to catch, while another
woman, if mounted on a side-saddle, would have the greatest difficulty
in bringing herself into position to catch your horse at all. If a woman
using the side-saddle has occasion to catch another’s horse, she should
be sure to keep the other horse on her near or left side. If the runaway
horse is on her right side, it is very difficult for her to catch him
without losing her balance. If you do have occasion to stop a runaway
horse, you should, if possible, have your horse at least a neck ahead of
him, so that you may be sure to catch his reins close by the bit when
you grab for them. If you attempt to catch the reins back of his neck,
it is very unlikely that you will be able to stop him, and you are much
more apt to cause a fall.
CHAPTER VIII
CORRECT DRESS FOR THE SADDLE
To look well in the saddle a woman must be correctly and smartly turned
out. The picturesqueness of the old-fashioned skirt, the plumed hat, and
the ambling palfrey has passed away, and a woman’s riding clothes of
to-day are designed, first, for comfort, and second, for neatness.
Absolute plainness and everything in keeping are the principles to be
followed.
For the side-saddle the habit must be well cut, well made, and of good
material. The length and style of the coat should be adapted to the
wearer’s height and figure.
The skirt should always be of the “safety” type. There are several
different designs of safety skirts, but they may be divided into three
classes--the apron skirt, the half apron, and the skirt with patent
fasteners.
[Illustration:
SAFETY SKIRT, UNDER SIDE
SAFETY SKIRT, OUTSIDE
WAISTCOATS
BREECHES
APRON SKIRT, UNDER SIDE
HALF APRON SKIRT, UNDER SIDE
RAIN COAT
RIDING CLOTHES]
The apron skirt is very generally used in England, and in this country
is used by many for hunting and, to some extent, for general riding.
With this pattern of skirt the rider must, of course, wear boots and
breeches. The skirt is entirely cut away on the side next to the horse
so that, when the rider is mounted, her legs are in direct contact with
the saddle. The skirt is fastened along the right leg above the knee
with buttons and has a strap which passes under the right knee. There is
also a strap which passes under the right foot and another strap which
passes under the left heel and holds the skirt in place.
The half apron skirt is similar to this but, instead of being fastened
to the right leg by buttons, it goes under the thigh and the rider sits
on it.
The skirt with patent fasteners is cut just like a plain skirt, but on
the right side and following the leg from the knee down there is an open
seam extending around the pommels. This seam is fastened with patent
fasteners when the rider is off the horse, but should be left open when
she is mounted.
I consider the apron skirt the safest for use in the hunting field, for,
while in my own experience I have not known of a woman being “hung up”
with a skirt with patent fasteners, I have heard of this occurring. The
awkwardness, however, of the apron or half apron skirt, when one is out
of the saddle, makes it embarrassing for the wearer, so it is scarcely
to be recommended for ordinary riding.
The half apron pattern of skirt is quite as safe as the apron and it is
really more a matter of individual fancy as to which of the two one
should select.
There are also skirts of the type with patent fasteners which are
fastened in the same way at the waist, so that if the rider should be
thrown and the skirt should be caught in the saddle, the waistband will
give way and the rider will be entirely released from the skirt.
Habit skirts should be kept from blowing and “riding” by the use of two
elastic loops, both on the inside of the skirt, one in such a position
as to pass over the right toe, the other under the left heel. These
loops should be slipped into position as soon as the rider is in place
in the saddle. It is a mistake to think that there is any danger from
these loops, for they are sure either to slip off the foot or to give
way in case of an accident.
In the saddle a woman should produce a broad-shouldered and long-waisted
effect, and the coat should be cut with this principle in mind. Unless a
woman’s shoulders look wider than her hips, she will never present a
smart appearance on a horse. I do not admire a small-waisted effect in
the saddle. Somehow it is inappropriate and looks uncomfortable. The
effect should be of broad shoulders, slimness, neatness, and ease; of
long lines rather than curves.
The coat should be single-breasted, fastened with five or three buttons,
according to the wearer’s figure, and also with regard to the use for
which the coat is intended.
[Illustration: NEW STYLE COSTUME FOR PARK RIDING]
Thus in the hunting-field, whatever the rider’s figure, it is better to
have five buttons, in order to protect the rider as much as possible
against rain, etc. For hunting, and especially for use in cold weather
and for country wear, the collar of the coat should be made to turn up
and button over with a tab, and there should be a button under the left
lapel, so that the coat may be buttoned closely to the neck for further
protection.
[Illustration: OLD STYLE (1887) POSTILION COAT]
With regard to length, the fashion of the time must, of course, be
followed. At present it is the fashion to have coats long, so as to come
about five inches above the knee when the rider is standing. Some will
find it becoming to their figure to have coats even longer and some
shorter, and we may hope that the days of the tight-fitting postilion
coats, which make the rider look all hips, have passed forever. The
collar may be of velvet of the same shade as the habit, of the material
itself, or of gray, black, or tan leather, according to the color of the
habit, but not of silk or satin. Personally, I do not care for leather
collars and think they are too showy to be really smart. A left side
breast pocket and two side pockets are permissible. It is a good plan to
line the tails of the coat with rubber, so that the sweat from the
horse’s back will not soak through the cloth.
The sleeves should be plain and finished at the cuffs like a man’s, or
the cuffs may be turned back from two to three inches, according to the
length of arm, but should never be of velvet or any material other than
that of the coat itself.
Waistcoats are very smart, but not absolutely necessary. For use in the
hunting field and in cold weather they are advisable, and should then be
made of a rather heavy material, and, in particular, the back should be
of flannel so as to protect the rider against a chill. Waistcoats may be
made of various fancy or plaid materials, in heavy or light weights,
which are manufactured especially for the purpose. Single-breasted
waistcoats are smarter than double-breasted.
The pockets may be made with or without lapels. If the former, they
should be real lapels or flaps coming over the pockets, as they are
meant to wear in the hunting-field so as to prevent things in the
pockets from escaping. These pockets in the waistcoat are very
convenient for the watch, change, etc.
For the woman who does not ride much or is just taking it up and is not
sure whether she will enjoy it, for summer use in the country and for
beginners and growing children, ready-made habits of good style are to
be found in the department stores.
For the woman who rides, however, it is most advisable to have a habit
built by a smart tailor and made of the best materials. The cheaper
materials do not give good service and lose their shape.
For winter use, some heavy material which does not stretch should be
selected, such as melton, broadcloth, heavy cheviot, or heavy whip-cord,
and for most women the best colors are black, black and gray, brown,
dark blue, dark green, and any dark, quiet color which is becoming to
the wearer. For park riding in the winter, checks, plaids, and other
pronounced patterns are not suitable.
For medium weight habits for spring and fall use, there is more freedom
of choice. The rider can always select something becoming in checks,
medium weight gray and brown cloths, light whip-cords, and invisible
stripes. The great point is to be sure that the material selected is
“tailor’s cloth,” for no other cloth will stand the hard wear of riding.
[Illustration: A WINTER HABIT
Note standing martingale]
For summer there is a much wider range of choice. For very warm weather,
khaki, duck, crash, and linen habits are all suitable. They are all
smart and cool and stand tubbing, or else can be regularly scrubbed
with a stiff hand brush and bath soap. This saves the risk of their
being shrunk or starched out of shape by a careless laundress. It is
essential that habits for use in warm weather should be of material that
can be washed, and one should be sure to have the material shrunk before
it is made up, else, when the rider puts it on after its first wetting,
she will probably present a “grown-up-in-the-night” appearance.
[Illustration: A SMART SUMMER HABIT]
It is a very good plan with summer habits to have two skirts made for
each coat, as skirts become soiled much more quickly. If one rides much
in the hot weather it is necessary to have at least three summer habits,
and the more one has the smarter one’s appearance.
In London in the season, and throughout England in the summer, many
women wear a white linen skirt with a dark coat or a dark cloth skirt
with a white linen coat. The former of these combinations is very well
suited to our climate, with its constant changes, and also to the roads
which have been oiled for automobiles, as the oil ruins cloth skirts,
while it can be readily washed out of the linens. The combination of a
dark cloth skirt and a white linen coat looks cooler than it is and is
better suited to the English climate than to ours.
For rainy or cold weather a rain coat or covert coat is very
serviceable. The former may be either of the material of which the
English rain coats are made or of cravenetted cloth. Very few of the
tailors in this country make these rain coats, so it is usually
necessary to buy an imported one.
The English coats are so made as to shed the water in front of the
pommels, and do not allow it to collect. They have an inner lining
which fastens about the wrist with an elastic band and the collar
buttons over with a tab. They, therefore, are a complete protection
against the wet but, except for use in very cold storms or in snow, are
too hot for general purposes in our climate.
A coat of cravenetted cloth will therefore be found, perhaps, more
serviceable. If intended as a protection against the rain, it should be
nearly as long as the habit on the near side, and the back should, of
course, have a vent long enough to clear the cantle.
For riding in cold weather many women find it necessary to wear a
top-coat, which may be made of heavy covert cloth or of rough tweed or
of any suitable plain material such as a man would use.
Such a coat need not be as long as a rain coat, but may be, if the rider
desires additional protection. The top-coat, of course, should be longer
than the habit coat, as nothing looks worse than to see the skirts of a
habit coat coming out under those of the top-coat. The top-coat may be
finished just like a man’s, with patch pockets, etc., and should, of
course, have a collar that will turn up and button over with a tab.
A serviceable coat for summer use in rainy weather may be made of light
weight check rubber cloth, which is very smart and cooler than the
imported English rain coats.
The underclothes for riding should be as carefully considered as the
outer garments. Silk shirts and full silk tights are best for riding,
but, if full tights are not worn, socks should be worn in place of
stockings, as the latter wrinkle under the right knee and chafe.
Garters, if tight, as they need to be, stop the circulation, and
supporters come directly under the leaping horn. If silk tights are
deemed too extravagant, silk lisle or lisle tights, or boys’ long
balbriggan, lisle, or gauze merino drawers are a good substitute.
Corsets or corset waists, if worn, should be loose enough for absolute
comfort and freedom, but women who are accustomed to the support of
heavy stays should, when riding, wear equestrian corsets. To present a
mannish appearance in the saddle, short corsets should be worn and, as I
have said before, the appearance of being laced should be entirely
avoided.
Either equestrian tights or riding breeches are worn, and nowadays most
women prefer the latter.
A woman’s riding breeches are made on the style of a man’s and of
similar material, the chief difference being that if buttons are used to
fasten them below the knee, they should be placed either directly in
front, which is smart but may be uncomfortable, or on the inside of the
right leg, so as to avoid rubbing against the saddle. Instead of
buttons, lacing may be used and, if it is, both knees can be finished
alike, the same as a man’s. Two of the patterns are illustrated on page
109.
Breeches may be made of the same material as the habit or of any
suitable material such as a man would wear. With a heavy winter habit it
is, of course, unnecessary to use as heavy material for the breeches as
would be the case if no skirt were worn. For summer use, breeches may be
made of white linen, duck, or khaki.
For hunting and for rough country wear and for cold weather, doeskin
breeches are most serviceable and very comfortable, and white breeches,
such as men wear in the hunting field, are correct and suitable for
almost any occasion.
Women who are inclined to fatness may prefer equestrian tights, made of
silk or wool, to breeches.
Riding boots for women are made either stiff legged, like a man’s, or
soft legged, and with or without tops. My preference is for a boot made
throughout of one material, and, for some occasions, stiff legs are
almost a necessity, while for others the soft legs are more
comfortable.
For winter use, and for wear with black, blue, green, or very dark gray
habits, black boots look much better than tan.
For the show ring and for park riding, patent-leather stiff-legged boots
are correct, and are better suited to very formal occasions than plain
calf boots. Patent-leather boots should always be made with stiff legs,
as otherwise the varnish will crack. Plain calf boots are more
serviceable and more comfortable than patent-leather for country riding,
and are correct for the hunting-field. Patent-leather boots are not
correct in the hunting-field, and, like most other matters of correct
form, this rule is founded on common sense, for patent-leather boots
tire the feet and legs, and with them the feet are apt to become very
cold in bad weather. They are also easily scratched and damaged in
riding over rough country.
For hunting and for polo, stiff-legged boots are correct, as they are a
great protection for the legs.
Tan boots are not correct in the show ring, except for out-door shows in
the summer, nor are they correct at any time in the hunting-field. They
look better with summer habits, and with any light colored habit,
particularly with light grays, browns, and khaki. Black patent-leather
boots, hot as they are, look very smart with white linen habits.
The loose-legged boots, which resemble a jockey’s boot, are being worn
now by both men and women for park and country riding, especially in
summer. They are cooler than stiff-legged boots, but give scarcely any
protection.
[Illustration: _a_ STIFF-LEGGED BOOTS
_b_ FIELD BOOTS]
A very good type of serviceable boot for rough country wear, is one
which laces over the instep and ankle, and, in its general cut,
resembles the field boot or shooting boot. As these can be loosened over
the instep, they do not bind the foot or bring discomfort after a long
day’s wear, and they are much more comfortable for walking. They have
the same objection, however, as the loose-legged boots; that is, they
do not protect the leg in rough work.
Many women wear, in the country, tan laced boots or leather leggings,
either of the straight kind or what are known as leather puttees. These
are the same as a man’s except that the legging of the right leg should
buckle on the inside, for the same reason as I have mentioned in respect
to the buttons on the breeches. It is, however, much more important in
the case of the leggings, as the buckles, if placed on the right side,
would come directly in contact with the saddle and cause the rider great
discomfort.
Whether boots or leggings are worn, they should be of a length
sufficient to come well up over the breeches, but should be about two
inches shorter than a man’s boot or leggings would be, because the right
knee in the side-saddle is bent at much more of an angle than it is when
riding astride, and if the boot is too long it is very apt to pinch the
flesh between the pommel and the top of the boot.
The boots should be fastened with catgut or cord loops in the back,
engaging with buttons sewed in the breeches, and one may also have
straps or “garters” passing through loops in the back of the boots and
attached in front by cord loops to the second button on the breeches.
These loops and straps prevent the boots from slipping down and the
breeches from slipping up, and from twisting.
Boots, if not made by one’s own boot maker, should be a size larger than
those ordinarily worn, as boots tight in the foot, particularly of the
stiff-legged kind, are, at the end of a long day, instruments of
torture, and I have known of many cases where they have had to be cut
off because of the feet having swollen. Whatever kind of boot is worn,
it should fit very closely about the calf and should be smaller at the
top so as to conform to the shape of the leg. Many women consider the
fit of the boots as unimportant, not realizing to what an extent they
may be seen, and how uncomfortable, too, loose boots are for walking.
Under the coat should be worn a plain or plaited shirt of any pattern or
material which may suit the wearer’s fancy, provided only that it is in
keeping with the general mannish style of the whole costume. Silk shirts
are very suitable and quite correct at all times. The cuffs should be
fastened with sleeve-links.
For neckwear I prefer white Ascot stocks. These stocks should be made of
very thin material which is hard to find. The ready-made ones are
usually much too thick and clumsy and cannot be tied neatly. They should
never be laundered stiff, and in the front a piece of celluloid is
inserted on the inside, or the stock may be worn over a stiff standing
collar of the same height. The stock should be fastened with an
appropriate pin. The bar pins look particularly neat.
Instead of white Ascot stocks, stocks in colors, tying in a bow, are
very smart, particularly for summer, and they are not so warm as the
Ascots. They come in plain colors and polka dots and are much worn in
England. Of course, they look best when worn over a high standing
collar.
Instead of a stock, it is equally correct to wear a high turnover or
standing white linen collar with an Ascot or a four-in-hand tie, or a
bow tie which is quite smart for almost any occasion. One should never
wear a “ready tied” stock or tie. They are essentially bad form.
If a belt is worn it should be of plain calf leather or pigskin with a
plain buckle.
While for city riding, whatever the weather, a coat must be worn; in
summer in the country many women ride without one for coolness’ sake.
When riding without a coat, it looks much better to wear a belt, which
should pass through loops sewed on the band of the skirt.
The hair should be done plainly and low on the head, either braided or
securely coiled. For young girls only, a hair ribbon, which should be
black, is permissible. Be sure that the hair is arranged securely, for
nothing looks worse or is more uncomfortable when riding than untidy
hair.
The correct hat for use in winter is a black derby, except on very
formal occasions, such as the show ring or formal park riding, when a
silk hat should be worn, if becoming. If not, however, a derby is
equally correct, but these are the only two hats which are correct for
formal riding. A silk hat is also worn in the hunting field, where it is
strictly correct. Many women wear in the hunting field a specially
constructed stiff derby intended as a protection to the head in the case
of a fall, or of coming in contact with branches.
Many women find the “Continental” hat more becoming than the derby, and
it is perfectly permissible for all but very formal occasions. It is
never, however, correct in the show ring or in the hunting field.
For all occasions when a habit of a color other than black, dark blue,
or dark green is permissible, a derby hat may be worn of a shade to
match the habit. Thus, a light or dark brown derby, if becoming, looks
very smart with a light or dark brown habit, and a gray hat with checks.
For summer wear the plain straw or black sailor or Panama is correct for
all occasions, but the Panama, if worn, should be perfectly plain and,
particularly, should have a plain ribbon. These styles of hats are much
better suited for wear with linen or crash habits than derbys or
Continentals. For wear in the summer the sombrero is comfortable, but I
do not consider it very fit.
All riding hats should be large enough to set well down on the head,
like a man’s, and should be kept in place by a rather broad elastic. If
this is sewn a trifle nearer the front of the hat than usual, it will
hold the hat better than if sewn exactly in the middle.
Hat pins should never be used in riding. They look out of keeping, and
in case of an accident are very dangerous. It is quite correct to wear a
hat guard, but it should be of the kind that fastens to the back brim of
the hat, with the hanger inside of the coat collar, and the hanger
should be short enough to keep the hat, if blown off the head, from
striking the horse. This precaution is very important, as I have often
known of horses starting to run from being struck by the hat.
Riding gloves should either be tan, dog-skin, white buckskin, or white
chamois. They should be heavy, hand sewn, have either one or two
buttons, and should be a size or two larger than those usually worn.
White gloves are correct for all occasions, and I think look smarter
than tan. They should always be worn with white habits.
For the hunting field and the show ring, heavy white buckskin gloves are
strictly correct, but they do not wash well and, as they have to be
pipe-clayed to look white, the pipe-clay comes off on one’s habit and
proves very annoying. I have found white chamois gloves the best for use
as they can be washed while on the hands in tepid water with a scrubbing
brush and bath soap. When dry they should be put on, rubbed softly
together, and they will then be practically as good as new. Buckskin
gloves should be kept on trees to dry after washing or they will lose
their shape and shrink.
Driving gloves which are reinforced over the fingers where the reins are
held in driving, are not suitable for riding. They are too stiff and
clumsy and one loses the “feel” of the horse’s mouth.
It is always correct to carry either a whip, stock, or crop, and it is
advisable to do so, both because the horse may need punishment and in
order to give the right hand something to do.
Light cutting whips are best when riding a green horse or one that is
apt to require punishment. Crops, of course, should always be carried in
the hunting field, and for other occasions plain sticks are equally
correct.
It is not safe for a woman, unless she is an experienced rider, to wear
a sharp spur, and one should never be worn except with an open skirt, as
it is almost certain to catch in a plain skirt. The spur, if worn,
should be plain and of the same pattern as a man’s.
No jewelry should be worn in riding except the pin in the tie and the
cuff links.
[Illustration: PUTTEES]
The under dress for cross-saddle riding should be the same as for the
side-saddle. For the outer dress the only style that I consider correct
is loose riding breeches, polo legged boots, and a long coat. The
divided skirt always looks to me out of place, and any woman who wants
to wear a skirt had better ride in the side-saddle. For a long riding
trip in the mountains or for roughing it or for any occasion when a
woman is apt to have to walk as well as to ride, a short divided skirt,
coming only to the knees, such as Western women wear, is appropriate,
but I should not consider it appropriate for ordinary riding in the
East.
Stiff boots are preferable to leggings because they do not show the
shape of the leg and are more of a protection than soft legged boots.
The boots should be as long as a man’s for cross-saddle riding and
should show three buttons on the breeches. They should be tight in the
leg and fastened in the way I have described on page 121.
The breeches should be cut exactly like a man’s except that they should
be more baggy above the knees. They must fit very closely at the seat
and about the waist and should fit very tightly below the knee. They
should always be reinforced with buckskin on the inside of the knees.
Appropriate breeches are shown in the illustration on page 109.
The coat should be single-breasted, with three or five buttons,
according to the wearer’s figure and personal fancy, and rather loose
fitting, quite long, with very full skirts coming below the knee when
mounted. The skirts of the coat are kept in place by a tab which engages
with the third button from the top on the breeches, just above the
boots. The coat should be opened enough in the back to clear the cantle,
so that the skirts will fall on either side of the horse. With the
skirts so fastened at the knees, the thighs and upper legs are concealed
and nothing is visible but a smart boot.
I consider this far the smartest, the most comfortable, the most modest,
and the safest costume for cross-saddle riding.
In the following list will be found the average price for all riding
clothes, etc., each good of its kind:
Cloth riding habit $75.00 to $100.00
Linen and flannel habit 45.00 to 60.00
Waistcoat 10.00 to 15.00
Covert coat 45.00 to 55.00
Rain coat 40.00 to 45.00
Tights 1.00 to 20.00
Socks, ½ doz. pairs 1.50 to 6.00
Equestrian tights 1.50 to 2.50
Riding breeches 10.00 to 18.00
Boots (ready-made) 12.00 to 15.00
Boots (made to order) 20.00 to 35.00
Boots, laced and strapped 25.00
Leggings 10.00 to 15.00
Riding stocks, ½ doz. 3.00 to 6.00
Shirt waists, ½ doz. 12.00 to 30.00
Linen collars, ½ doz. .75 to 3.00
Neckties (each) .50 to 2.00
Belt .50 to 2.00
Silk hat 8.00 to 10.00
Derby hat 4.00 to 5.00
Sailor hat 3.00 to 5.00
Panama hat 10.00 to 30.00
Sombrero 5.00 to 15.00
Hat guards .50 to 1.00
Gloves 1.00 to 2.50
Riding crops 2.00 to 10.00
Whips 3.00 to 5.00
Sticks 1.00 to 5.00
CHAPTER IX
SADDLES AND BRIDLES
Much discrimination is required in the selection of a side-saddle. In
order to be comfortable it must fit both the rider and the horse, a
condition harder to find than one would imagine.
The best makers carry different lengths of saddles in stock. The
shortest measure eighteen inches from the front to the cantle, and the
longest twenty-four inches. With each of these different lengths there
are standard widths, and I cannot overstate the importance of a woman
choosing a saddle that is suited to her conformation. On page 140 of
this book will be found a diagram, with instructions for measurement, so
that if a good maker is not available the saddle may be ordered by mail,
but I would advise any woman who wishes to select a saddle to take some
experienced woman rider with her to the saddler’s and rely on her
advice, as I have known many women to choose the wrong size of saddle
and thus be rendered very uncomfortable. Trying a saddle in the shop is
very different from riding in it on a horse, and it takes a great deal
of experience to pick out what you require.
A side-saddle, in this country at least, costs quite a bit of money, but
a good one, with proper care, will last for a lifetime, and, with a
little adjustment, can be made to fit almost any horse. While there are
hundreds of different makes of side-saddles on the market, the really
good ones are very few.
[Illustration: LADY’S PARK AND HUNTING SADDLE]
The best English side-saddles are really in a class by themselves, and
no such saddles are made in this country except by the English saddlers,
and they use only imported English pigskin. The English, whether
imported or made here of English material, cost only a little more than
the American saddles, and they are so far superior that there is no
question in my mind but that they should be one’s choice.
In its construction a woman’s saddle differs from a man’s. As it is made
to sit on instead of to bestride, the seat is made as level as possible,
and the best saddles have, if any, only a slight dip of, say, from one
to one and a half inches. I find a saddle with this slight dip more
secure for hunting and for riding very green horses, but the saddle
should not have a greater dip than this, and many women find a level
seat without any dip perfectly comfortable. I prefer a level saddle for
all ordinary use, and the dip, if any, must come from the elevation of
the cantle, and not from the hollowing out of the seat or from the
elevation of the front. The old style side-saddle, with a “dished out”
seat covered with doeskin, has been entirely abandoned, for the safety
of the rider and the comfort of the horse.
The best makers use pigskin for covering the seats of nearly all their
saddles. In France, however, many women use buckskin and some of these
saddles are used in this country. In France these saddles are
pipe-clayed and look very smart with a light habit, and if one is able
to have two or more saddles in one’s stable, I know of no objection to
using this French type of saddle on occasion.
The saddle-flaps should also be made of genuine pigskin. Most makers use
pigskin to cover the leaping iron and pommel. Some of the best saddles,
however, have these covered with buckskin, which gives them a safer and
more clinging feeling.
[Illustration: SIDE-SADDLE WITH WIDE POMMELS AND SAFETY FLAP
When the flap is raised the stirrup comes off]
The greatest improvement in the modern side-saddle is the cutting far
back of the gullet plate, which leaves the withers covered only by the
continuation of the near flap. This form of construction not only keeps
the seat of the saddle level, but makes the rider much more comfortable,
as it enables her to have her thigh horizontal instead of the knee
being raised as it was in the old style of “dished out” saddles with a
high front. Moreover, it has the great advantage of freeing the horse’s
withers from pressure, and helps a bit toward keeping his back cool. The
cooler the back is kept the freer it will be from soreness and chafing.
[Illustration: SIDE-SADDLE WITH NARROW POMMELS AND SAFETY FLAP UP]
[Illustration: SIDE-SADDLE WITH STIRRUP ADJUSTABLE FROM OFF SIDE]
The frame of the saddle is called the “tree.” The tree of the standard
saddles is of a standard width, and the fitting of the saddle to the
horse’s back is secured not from using different sized trees but by
padding. Horses’ backs differ greatly both in width and sharpness, so
that the saddle should always be fitted to the particular horse on which
it is to be most used. This should be done by an experienced and
competent saddler, and a proper fit secured before the saddle is bought
or accepted. With a properly fitted saddle, saddle pads and cloths
should never be necessary. They look clumsy, they are liable to slip out
of place, they collect sand and dirt, and even the best of them heat the
horse’s back. If some kind of saddle pad is required on account of a
sore back, or an ill-fitting saddle, or if, for instance, one is using
one’s own saddle on a strange horse that it does not fit, by far the
best pad to use is a sheepskin, cut the same size as the saddle and worn
with the woolly side next to the horse’s back. Sheepskins are readily
washed and do not heat the horse’s back nearly as much as the ordinary
felt saddle pad.
[Illustration: THE SAME SIDE-SADDLE, OFF SIDE. SHOWING SPRING FLAP WHICH
HOLDS FLAP UP OR DOWN AT WILL, PERMITTING RIDER TO ADJUST GIRTHS OR
STIRRUP LEATHER WHILE MOUNTED]
Saddles are lined either with leather, with plain Holland linen, or with
heavy white serge. Of the three I greatly prefer the leather because it
is cooler for the horse’s back, is more easily cleaned, looks far
smarter, and is more durable. If the saddle fits the horse properly the
leather lining will never rub him, but it must be kept soft by frequent
oiling.
[Illustration: DIAGRAM FOR MEASURING SIDE-SADDLE]
In my opinion, linen is next best, but it does not wear as well as
leather, and serge, which is in general use and is found in most
saddles, is not as good a material for lining as either leather or
linen. It is not durable, it becomes very dirty, it is hard to dry, and,
unless it is kept clean and dry, it rubs the horse’s back badly.
As a substitute for a leather lining and in order to prevent the serge
lining from chafing a tender back, many riders adopt the expedient in
vogue in India and use a leather saddle cloth called “numnah.” These are
good for use in hot weather and keep the horse’s back much cooler than
would the serge lining, and save chafing. They are cut the exact size of
the saddle and fastened to it by straps which pass under the flap. They
must be kept soft by constant oiling, otherwise they fail in their
purpose.
[Illustration: 1. DOUBLE GIRTH]
[Illustration: 2. FITZ-WILLIAM GIRTH]
[Illustration: 3. CORDED GIRTH]
The girths are made either of webbing or of leather. The Fitz-William
girth is the safest and neatest for a woman. This consists of one very
broad girth, some five inches wide, with two buckles at each end which
engage the two outside billets on either side of the saddle. This girth
goes next to the horse’s body, and another girth, about half as wide and
a trifle shorter, passes over the first girth--on which it is held in
position by a leather loop just below the buckles--and terminates in a
single buckle which engages the middle of the three billets on either
side of the saddle.
The advantages of this type of girth are that it is very strong and
safe, and it is much easier with it to girth the horse as tight as is
necessary for the side-saddle than it is with two or three separate
narrow girths, each independent of the other, such as are commonly used
in livery stables and riding schools.
In girthing with the Fitz-William, first the wide girth is drawn tight,
and then the narrow girth, and it will be found that the narrow girth
can be tightened on the wide one so that, after it has been drawn, the
wide one can be taken up two or three holes, and then the narrow one can
be taken up again, and so the horse cannot, by inflating himself,
prevent tight girthing.
For the show ring, for hunting, and for park riding the girths must be
either of leather or of white webbing.
For country use brown webbing girths are permissible, but they never
look well and are liked chiefly by lazy grooms.
Needless to say, white girths must be kept scrupulously clean and
pipe-clayed.
I do not approve of braided horse-hide girths, nor of the Western
“cinch” for use with the conventional English side-saddle. The “cinch,”
of course, is a very useful device for use with a cowboy’s saddle, but
there is no justification for its use with the side-saddle.
[Illustration: ADJUSTING STIRRUP FROM OFF SIDE]
The balance strap, which is the strap running from the girth billets on
the near side to a ring fastened on the off side of the cantle, serves
to hold the saddle in position. It must not, however, be strapped too
tight or it will pull the saddle too far over to the right and fatigue
the horse unnecessarily. Some of the best English side-saddles now are
so made that, when ridden by a very good rider, a balance strap is not
necessary. This is a great advantage, as many horses are ticklish and
the balance strap annoys them, and, besides, the side-saddle without a
balance strap is smarter, on the general principle that the less
unnecessary harness there is on a saddle-horse the better.
It is most important that the bridle and reins should be made of the
very best quality of leather throughout, and of course, when they are,
they are not cheap, but, on the other hand, they last so much longer
that it is economy to buy the best at the outset. Cheap leather may give
way at a critical moment, and, in any case, the low grade of leather
will become hard and stiff, will crack, and will not take the proper
polish. The leather, both of bridle and reins, should be thin and
pliable, but this should be the result of pressing and working by the
strapper. The reins especially must always be pliable, as thick reins
tire and hurt both the hands of the rider and the mouth of the horse,
and with them one cannot have that lightness and firmness of touch by
means of which alone a horse should be controlled by a woman. I cannot
insist upon this too strongly, as many fine mouths have been ruined
through the use of thick and heavy reins.
The reins for a woman’s use should be a little narrower than for a
man’s, and should be in proportion to the relative size of her hands.
Women with very small hands may find it necessary to have reins
especially made for them. The width of the reins should be such that,
when held in the position described, the fingers can be fully bent and
the edges of the reins held between the second joint of the fingers and
the cushions of the hands. If they are too wide, the fingers cannot be
fully closed, which presents a very awkward appearance. If a rider has
very long fingers the reins should not be too narrow, for, if they are,
they cannot be grasped on the edges, and they slip through the fingers.
Therefore, women with exceptionally long fingers usually find it better
to use a man’s bridle.
With the Weymouth curb and bridoon a double bridle is, of course, used.
This is illustrated in the cut and the names of the various parts given.
The buckles should be leather covered and should be square rather than
round. The cheek pieces and bridoon head may be buckled with the curb
and snaffle bits, respectively, or be stitched. The latter looks much
neater, but it makes the bits hard to clean and they cannot be changed.
The latest method is to have an invisible hook on the inside of the
cheek pieces, which is similar to the hook used on certain types of the
best side-saddles, in place of the buckle for shortening the stirrup
leather. The cheek piece, where it passes through the ring, has
stitching on it, and, without a close inspection, one would not notice
whether the cheek pieces were stitched or hooked. I recommend this
appliance very highly, as it wears better than buckles and looks just as
well as stitching.
[Illustration: 1. PLAIN SNAFFLE]
[Illustration: 2. BIT AND BRIDOON]
[Illustration: 3. BIT AND BRIDOON WITH CAVESSON]
The reins should be fastened to the rings in the same way as the cheek
pieces, whether by buckles, by stitching, or by the invisible hook which
I have described.
When the standing martingale is used it is fastened to the noseband or
to the cavesson, which many use in its place.
With horses that rear or are inclined to “star gaze” a woman should
always, except in the hunting field, use a standing martingale. It keeps
their heads down, gives the rider better control, and prevents rearing.
The standing martingale looks better if hung from a breastplate in the
same manner as a running martingale. Standing martingales cannot be used
in hunting, as they prevent a horse from jumping freely. So in hunting
with a horse that needs a martingale a running martingale should be
used. This is attached to the front of the breastplate and has two
branches ending in rings, through which the snaffle reins are passed. In
front of these rings there should be leather stops on the reins to
prevent their buckles from catching in the rings.
[Illustration: CORRECTLY SADDLED AND BRIDLED FOR HUNTING
Note the breastplate and cavesson]
Running martingales are chiefly used in the hunting field and in
jumping, for in jumping a horse must have his head free, and a tight
standing martingale would prevent him from throwing his head forward at
the take off, and so not only prevent him from using his strength to the
best advantage, but would tend to throw him off his balance. Running
martingales, however, are not nearly as effectual in preventing a horse
from rearing, and when they are used it requires a very considerable
amount of strength on the part of the rider to keep the horse’s head
down, while, of course, the standing martingale keeps the horse’s head
down without any exertion on the part of the rider.
If a standing martingale is used, be sure that it is not fastened too
tight; it should be loose enough to allow the horse quite a little play
with his head in its natural position. If it is tighter than this the
horse, when the reins are loose, will put his head in its natural
position, then feel the pressure of the martingale and think that he is
being backed. He will thereupon back, and the more you give him his head
by loosening the reins, the more, through attempting to raise his head,
he will feel the pressure of the martingale and will keep on backing.
Under these circumstances, the only thing you can do is to gather him
lightly with the curb, which will bring his head in and relieve the
pressure of the martingale, then urge him forward, or, if you want him
to stand, keep a light pressure on the curb so as to prevent the
martingale from being tight.
[Illustration: VARIETIES OF RIDING BITS
1. Plain Curb
2. Port Curb
3. Straight Bar Curb
4. Shifting Bar Curb
5. Shifting Rough Curb
6. Western Style
7. Mexican or Western Style
8. Severe Shifting Bar
9. Long Port Bit
10. Chifney Bit
11. Gridiron Bit
12. Plain Snaffle
13. Rough Snaffle
14. Broken Pelham, Rough
15. Broken Pelham, Smooth
16. Long Pelham, Broken
17. Pelham, Rough
18. Hanoverian Pelham, Rough
19. Rough Port Bits
20. Polo Bits]
The breastplate, used with nearly all horses by women in the
hunting-field, should be used at all times with a horse that is “tucked
up” like a greyhound. In fact, many riders use breastplates at all times
with nearly all horses, and, except in the show ring or in park riding
where they are not considered good form, I think they should be
generally used with women’s saddles. They hold the saddle in place,
and, with them, the girths need not be drawn so tight.
[Illustration: BITS AND BRIDLES
1. Plain Snaffle
2. Rough Snaffle
3. Chain Snaffle
4. Bouché Snaffle
5. Rough Snaffle with Double Reins
6. Double Ring Snaffle
7. Standing Martingale
8. Bit and Bridoon with Halter Shank attached]
The breastplate not only holds the saddle firmly in place, but it also
keeps it from turning, prevents the girths from slipping back on the
horse’s belly, distributes part of the weight of the saddle on the
horse’s shoulders instead of having it all on the girths, and gives the
rider a feeling of security and confidence.
A few horses have such wide chests and some such tender skins that a
breastplate is apt to gall them.
The best bits for a woman to use are the curb and snaffle. The curb bit
in general use is of the Weymouth pattern, as illustrated above (see cut
No. 1, page 150). The snaffle is jointed (see cut No. 12, page 150).
Most horses go better with a curb bit with a slight port, such as No. 2,
page 150, though personally I like the pattern illustrated in No. 1,
same page, above, quite as well, if not better. For horses with very
tender mouths or with sore mouths, the curb bit may be covered with
rubber. Other horses, again, go better with a jointed curb, and old
horses, whose mouths are so hard that they cannot be brought back to
their original condition, may require the use of a heavy port or other
device which will cause them pain when the curb rein is tightened.
These various devices are illustrated above. For hunters, for pullers,
for polo ponies, and for Southern gaited horses, various kinds of bits
are used, but I shall not attempt to describe them here. They are fully
treated in many of the standard books on riding and do not belong in a
book devoted to riding and driving for women.
I shall add a few hints, gleaned largely from my own experience, which
may not be found in other books on the general subject.
The normal position of the bit, whether curb or snaffle, or both, is in
the space between the teeth called the “bars,” about two inches below
the eyeteeth in the mare and the tushes in the gelding. This brings the
curb chain to bear on the sensitive flesh of the lower jaw where the
pressure is most effective. If the curb is too high, the chain bears on
the jawbone which, at that point, is only covered by skin. This skin
readily becomes calloused, so that the curb chain has almost no effect.
If the curb is too low, the horse will be able to get his tongue over
the bit and keep it there, so that control will be lost and the cheek
straps will be too loose, and the snaffle, unless it has very large
rings, may be pulled through the horse’s mouth.
Many horses have a bad habit of getting their tongues over the bit. A
horse with his tongue in this position is quite uncontrollable, and he
must be broken of the habit at any cost. Most horses will be cured by
taking up the cheek straps and thus raising the bits in the mouth. This,
however, may bring the curb chain too high, as above stated. If it does,
or if this method is not successful, it may be necessary to resort to
one of the patterns of curb bits designed to prevent the horse from
getting his tongue over, such as the gridiron, No. 12, page 150, which
has a ring which is passed over the horse’s tongue.
A temporary device which may be used, except in the show ring, is to put
a rubber band over the port in the curb and around the horse’s tongue.
It must, of course, not be tight or it will stop the circulation, but it
diverts the horse’s attention and, of course, prevents him from bringing
his tongue over the bit.
If a horse is inclined to lag, or go up against the bit, raise the
snaffle in his mouth and lower the curb.
In the ordinary adjustment of the bits, the curb chain should be
fastened so that, when hanging naturally, you can slip two fingers under
the chain without disturbing the position of the bit, but if the animal
has a hard mouth the chain may be tightened enough to give good control.
No definite rule can, of course, be laid down. Beginners, however, are
particularly cautioned to have their curb chains looser than I have
indicated, as, until they have acquired “hands” and have entirely given
up the habit of holding on by the reins, they cannot with safety either
to themselves or their horses ride with the chain at all tight.
If a horse has been spoiled and his mouth is so calloused or “hard” that
he cannot be controlled even with a tight curb, and you still want to
ride him, the chain may be twisted, or one of the punishing types of bit
may be used, such as those above illustrated (Nos. 19 and 20, page 150).
Twisting the chain or using such a bit will make his mouth all the
harder, but will enable the rider to control him.
[Illustration: 1. Lady’s Cross-Saddle with Rolls]
[Illustration: 2. Lady’s Cross-Saddle, Plain Flap]
[Illustration: 3. Light Weight Saddle, Flaps Cut Forward]
While the Mexicans and Indians use very cruel bits and ride only on the
curb, they necessarily ride with light hands; otherwise they would break
the horses’ mouths.
If a horse pulls more on one side of his mouth than on the other, drop
the bits on the side opposite to that on which he pulls. If horses have
had the advantage of proper training and intelligent riding, they should
have no “mouth tricks,” such as sticking their tongues out on one side.
If they are continually fretting with their tongues and lips and heads,
it is probable that there is something the matter with their teeth or
that they have some soreness or irritation inside of their mouths.
Horses do not do things of this kind without cause, and as soon as
anything of this kind is observed the mouth should be thoroughly
inspected and steps taken to remedy the trouble immediately. Horses
often have trouble with their teeth very much as we do. Usually a “vet.”
will be able to remedy any condition of that kind, but if not, it may be
necessary to call in a horse dentist. If trouble of this kind is not
attended to, the symptom may become a habit or a trick very hard to
break and result in spoiling a horse’s appearance and manners.
CHAPTER X
THE SADDLE HORSE
In writing my description of the lady’s saddle horse I find that, of all
the horses I have ever seen, I have not yet found one that eclipses, or
even equals, “Lady Bonnie.” I have described her before, and all the
change that is needed is in the tense, which, alas! must now be in the
past. When asked for a perfect type of lady’s saddle horse, I close my
eyes and think of her. She may have had her faults, but who has not? To
my mind she came as near perfection as any horse in the world. Her
beautiful walk, perfectly balanced trot, and straight and delightful
canter, made her a joy to ride. Her well-crested, lengthy neck, giving
room for plenty of rein; her sloping shoulders and beautifully defined
withers meant for keeping the saddle in place; her back of just the
right length to make the saddle look in proportion; her smoothly turned
quarters, with tail set high, carrying out the perfection of her top
line; her small head, wide between the eyes; her tiny well-set and
well-carried ears, combined with the fineness and beauty of her coat,
like black panne velvet, completed her magnificent effect of breeding.
Her intelligence, her eagerness to do her part, her great though
perfectly tractable spirit, and her wonderful manners made it a pleasure
to know her and a privilege to be her friend.
[Illustration: CHAMPION SADDLE MARE (LADY BONNIE)]
[Illustration: COMBINATION TYPE (LADY MACDONALD)]
A lady’s saddle horse should be of solid color, black, chestnut, bay, or
brown. White pasterns, or a star or snip of white on the face, make a
very attractive “trimming up.” Personally, I do not consider
white-legged or bald-faced horses so suitable for women, because they
look “flashy.” While of course color has nothing to do with conformation
or the other qualities most to be considered in a lady’s saddle horse,
it has everything to do with the points of a horse for the show ring,
where no piebald or flashily marked horse would stand a chance in a
ladies’ class.
[Illustration: ENGLISH TYPE OF LADY’S PARK HACK]
The only gaits used in the show ring, and generally for park riding in
the East, are the walk, trot, and canter. The walk should be quick, yet
without tendency to jigjog; the trot square, well balanced, and with no
hint of mixed gaits. There should be plenty of “all-round action,” of
the hocks quite as much as of the knees, but of course not the “high
action” of the carriage horse. The canter should be free and easy, but
not too high, and should always be a canter--not a shuffling go-between,
nor should it be so fast as to border on a run.
[Illustration: LIGHT-WEIGHT THOROUGHBRED LADY’S RIDING HORSE (INDIAN
FLOWER)]
The thoroughbred should be the ideal saddle horse, as he is fashioned by
nature for that purpose alone. In England this is the type of “riding
horse” most in vogue, and in this country he may, in a few years, as he
already has there, supplant the park hack type. However delightful he
may be in the country or in the hunting-field, he is not really suitable
for park riding, where a collected trot is essential and where his
excitability gives the rider more than she wants. It must be borne in
mind that the conditions of riding in England are entirely different
from what they are in this country. Here we ride for exercise; there
they hunt for exercise and ride for rest. Therefore, what they want for
riding is a horse with very easy gaits who does not give the rider any
exertion. In England there is very little riding on hard roads, as there
is here. They almost always ride over turf and they have bridle paths on
nearly all the roads. The English “riding horse” I have referred to is a
thoroughbred or three-quarter bred, and the trot is not one of his
gaits. His canter is very easy and he gives the Englishwoman just what
she wants in the way of rest and fresh air. With us, however, but few
women hunt, and when they ride they want exercise and want, therefore, a
horse that will give them more to do. They find this in a horse with a
good swinging trot, but they would not find it in the thoroughbred.
A very strong strain of thoroughbred blood is needed to produce the best
type of saddle horse and, aside from their suitableness for park
riding, many thoroughbreds, properly trained and judiciously selected as
to conformation, make horse show winners.
Riding a thoroughbred is altogether different from riding any other kind
of a horse. It is then that all the niceties of the art of riding are
called into play, not so much as regards the seat, for his gaits are
easy, but the hands must be more than usually light, more than usually
firm, and more than usually quick in their communication between the
mind of the rider and the mouth of the horse. In fact, I am going to say
the mind of the horse too, for of good gray matter the thoroughbred
possesses an ample share. Thoroughbreds are so excitable and so
hot-blooded that only experienced riders with good hands can manage
them, and they are very unsafe for those who have not mastered the art.
They are hard to manage when ridden in company with other horses, and
they are so fussy and unreliable that they afford but little pleasure
except to an accomplished horsewoman.
Next in order to the thoroughbred comes the hunter. Were I limited to
one horse I would, of all others, select the hunter because of his
general all-round usefulness. He is thoroughly suitable for park riding,
he can be driven, he can be hacked, and his jumping qualities put him in
a class by himself. There are so many different types of hunters that
one cannot fairly say that any particular type is the best. All depends
on the country to be hunted and whether the horse is wanted for hunting
only or for general utility as well.
[Illustration: THOROUGHBRED HUNTER (SUNDAY MORNING)]
Probably the best hunters are the Irish. They are up to more weight,
they have more substance, greater endurance, and, for their own country,
are the safest jumpers in the world. These Irish hunters have been bred
and hunted in Ireland for generations and are natural born jumpers for
banks, but in Ireland they do not have fences, such as we know them, nor
do they have such high jumps in the hunting-field as we have. So Irish
hunters are not suited for hunting in this country until they have been
thoroughly trained over our fences. The English and the Canadian hunters
are more accustomed to timber and jump higher than the Irish.
[Illustration: PERFECT TYPE OF HEAVY-WEIGHT THOROUGHBRED RIDING HORSE
(HEARTSPRING)]
Hunting in the vicinity of the great cities of the East has changed
entirely in this country in the last fifteen years, and the types of
horses that were suited to former conditions are not fast enough and do
not jump high enough for the pace we have now. The present tendency in
the East, since there are no longer wild foxes to be hunted, is to turn
hunting into steeple-chasing, and the only horses that will carry their
riders fast enough and safely over the courses as they are laid out are
thoroughbreds or three-quarter breds.
In other parts of the country, of course, the country is not so stiff
and the thoroughbred type is not essential.
In the South, particularly in Virginia, the best traditions of the
hunting field have been upheld since the earliest times, and there is
the home of the best hunting to be had in this country. There has been
as yet no invasion by barbed wire. The country has not been exploited or
commercialized, and the farmers are of an entirely different class from
those to be found in the neighborhood of the great cities or in the
North. As a general rule they are heartily in sympathy with hunting;
many of them follow the hounds and breed hunters, and even use them on
their farms. In fact, the hunter is the general type of horse to be
found throughout that section of the country.
[Illustration: SHOW WINNER IN PARK HACK CLASSES (SONIA)]
The hunter is the one kind of mount for a woman in which beauty, though
desirable, is not a requisite. Rather does one seek in hunters breeding,
courage, and intelligence, and the greatest of these is intelligence.
The good hunter will show a long neck, withers standing well back, and
forelegs well forward of the girth. He should have sloping shoulders and
great depth of chest. In fact, his chest should be so deep that when you
look at him his legs should not appear as long as they are. He should
have strong quarters, and there is no valid objection to their being
“ragged,” for he needs great power in his quarters to carry him over the
jumps. Of course, one may recall many instances of light-weight
thoroughbreds of beautiful conformation who are admirable hunters, but
they cannot be hunted every day over a heavy country. That a hunter is
to be ridden by a woman, is no reason why his appearance should be
ladylike. The extra weight of a side-saddle and the unevenness of the
distribution of the rider’s weight on his back, make it necessary that a
woman’s hunter should be quite as large and powerful as a man’s. The
recognized type of hunter is close to the thoroughbred and quite
distinct from the harness horse. Without exception, all hunters have
more or less thoroughbred blood, though sometimes we have to go
unexpectedly far back to find it. Many of them are three-quarter bred,
and some have as little as one-quarter, or even an eighth or a
sixteenth. As for their blood, there is no recognized standard of
breeding. Some of the best jumpers have come from trotting stock, some
from hackney stock, and some even have appeared, as it were, by accident
in stock of no recognized breeding at all, and the qualities that go to
make a hunter cannot be found with any certainty through breeding. The
principal qualification of a hunter is that he should jump, and jumping
is something that seems to be born in individual horses, and to depend
not so much on their breeding as upon the union of courage with a
certain conformation.
[Illustration: HIGH-STEPPING PARK HACK (ROSLYN)]
[Illustration: AN OLD-FASHIONED COMBINATION TYPE (WARWICK)]
The correct type for a park hack is the subject of much diversity of
opinion in the show ring as well as in park riding. Some judges favor
the thoroughbred type, while some go to the other extreme and favor
the harness type. My choice for a park hack is a sort of a
“betwixt-and-between”; a riding horse “smarter” and more “peacocky”
than either the thoroughbred or the Southern bred saddle horse; not
necessarily bristling with quality, yet showing plenty of breeding,
and with substance, style, and a snappy all-round way of going. In
other words, a horse that fills the eye of the layman by his general
showiness, and yet satisfies his rider by the niceness of his gaits
and manners and the feeling of pride on being mounted on something
that compels universal admiration.
[Illustration: COMBINATION TYPE (MAYO)]
Of late the term “road hack” has come into use. This title does not yet
denote a definite type. If I were attempting to define it I should say a
horse more like the English cob, low in stature, not over 15.1, but
great in substance, and with beauty somewhat sacrificed to utility. He
must be well mannered, be as willing to stand as he is willing to go,
and should have a fast, well-balanced trot, as the hardness of the roads
often makes cantering impossible on the highway. He should resemble the
park hack, but should be of a more useful and heavier type, and if he
can jump a bit, so much the better.
In all horse shows there is now a class for what is called the
“combination horse,” a type, as I have heard some people say, that
cannot exist without detriment to either the riding or driving qualities
of the animal. With this I personally do not agree. I think all saddle
horses should be broken to drive, for there are many occasions when they
will be more useful to their owners in harness than under saddle, and it
is far better when one cannot ride to exercise one’s saddle horse by
driving it to a light trap than to have it ridden by a groom or a
stranger. In this country it is almost impossible to find a groom with
“hands,” and one’s own saddle horse should be kept for one’s own riding
exclusively. Moreover, if one has “hands,” one has them quite as much in
driving as in riding, and the horse will always feel that he is under
his mistress’s own control. Of course one would never think of taking a
schooled and beautifully gaited saddle horse and making him into a
harness drudge, but occasional light work in the shafts will do one’s
horse far more good than harm. While every saddle horse should go well
in harness, it does not follow that every harness horse should go well
under saddle, for the recognized type of harness horse is utterly
unsuited to the saddle. It is not a question of training; no amount of
training could make the stiff-necked, flat-withered, heavy-shouldered
harness type into a saddle horse. He has been bred for generations for
dragging and not for carrying, and he is an entirely distinct type from
the saddle horse.
So we find that the combination horse ought to be rather a saddle horse
that can be driven than a harness horse that can be ridden, and, for the
show ring, the ideal combination horse is really a park hack well broken
to harness.
[Illustration: LIGHTFOOT, WINNER OF LADIES’ SADDLE CLASS AT AGE OF
TWENTY-THREE]
A good polo pony is a treasure in any stable. For a country hack he is
excellent, giving a good ride, never tiring you, and never being tired
himself. His early training makes him unusually quick to rein and very
bridle-wise. Once get used to his quickness and you are sure to enjoy
him.
[Illustration: SHOW PONY]
The type of polo pony has changed in the last ten years, as the game is
so much faster than it was. Formerly the limit of height was fourteen
hands. Now it is 14.3. The type used to be a stocky, rather heavily
built pony, more of the type of an English cob with a docked tail, such
as we see in the early polo prints. Now they have a great deal of
thoroughbred blood and many of them are three-quarter bred, and have, of
course, the characteristics of that type. Many ponies which are too
hot-blooded for use in the polo field, or who are “mallet shy,” make
ideal riding hacks and are easily broken to harness. Such ponies can
often be picked up at great bargains and made as useful a pony as one
can well have at any price. In these days women are beginning to play
polo, and it goes without saying that there is no difference in the type
of polo pony for a woman’s use from that for a man’s.
There is an exceptionally good type of pony which has not appeared to
any extent in this country, commonly known as the Irish pony. This is a
cross between a thoroughbred and a half-bred hackney, the small size
being gained, of course, through the hackney cross with the pony. They
have much of the fineness of the thoroughbred and a great deal of the
substance of the hackney. They have tremendous endurance, are remarkably
good combination horses, can often jump a bit, and can be ridden and
driven all day long by any lady, and very often are so gentle that a
child can ride them. As a combination pony they cannot be excelled, and
they are particularly useful to help out in a small stable, as they can
be used for station work and for taking the children to the beach, and
all that sort of thing. They are, however, very high-priced and hard to
pick up at a bargain.
[Illustration: POLO PONY
Note the polo costume]
The safest and most reliable pony, from my experience, for a child to
begin on is an old polo pony which has been ridden for some time by a
woman and has not had the excitement of the polo field for many a year.
If one wants, however, a smaller pony than this for a child, the best
type to my mind is the Welsh pony. They are far more gentle and better
for children’s use than the Shetland pony, and are much more reliable. I
consider the kind of Shetland pony that one finds in this country a
treacherous and stubborn little beast. Of course a pure-bred Shetland
pony which has been properly broken is ideal for a child both to ride
and to drive, but the pure-bred ones are kept on the other side. It is
almost impossible to find them in this country and very few of them are
bred here. My experience with them is that they are not safe for
children to ride or drive. Of course, they are so small that if they
have a good load behind them and a reliable man to drive them, they
cannot do much harm, and they certainly have great capacity for work.
They live to a great age and require but little care.
[Illustration: WELSH PONY. THE BEST TYPE FOR CHILDREN]
CHAPTER XI
THE SELECTION OF A SADDLE HORSE
Having decided on the type of horse that one wants, the next thing is
where to find him. One of the most important points to bear in mind, and
one often overlooked in selecting a saddle horse, is not only that he
can be but that he should be becoming to the rider, and this
becomingness depends largely upon the horse and rider being in proper
proportion to each other. It is better that the horse should be too
large and too heavy rather than too small and too light. For instance,
while a tall woman looks out of proportion on a small horse and a stout
woman ridiculous, a small woman can look smart on a large horse and a
woman who weighs little may look well on a weight carrier. Still, other
things being equal, I would advise that the choice be given to a horse
proportioned to the rider’s size and weight.
[Illustration: KENTUCKY BRED LADY’S RIDING HORSE (DIXIE)]
Not only the horses themselves but the horse buyers may be divided into
classes. There is the green purchaser with plenty of money and the green
one with only a hundred or two to spend; the clever buyer who “has an
eye” and the buyer who thinks she “has an eye.” The first mentioned
should go to a high-class dealer, rely on his advice, and thus be sure
of getting what she wants as long as she is willing to pay the price.
The second ought to find something in the “practically sound ones” or
among the discarded polo ponies. The clever buyer will fill her wants
anywhere, in the auction marts, on the stock farms, at the race track,
or through a casual meeting on the road, while the one who thinks she
“has an eye” is a source of profit to others if not to herself.
The attitude of the public at large toward the horse dealer is to my
thinking most unfair, for reputable business methods are to be found
among them quite as much as in any other business or profession. If the
buyer’s experience is limited, there is nothing in which she can be so
easily deceived as in a horse. Therefore, I strongly advise the novice
to go always to a dealer of good standing, state frankly what she is
looking for, how much she is willing to pay, and put herself in his
hands without affecting knowledge which she lacks. When you go to a
dealer of standing you may be confident that having acquired a high
reputation he will maintain it, and will not sell you a horse other than
he represents it. If you go to a “gyp” dealer you must keep your eyes
open and rely on a veterinary of your own selection, coupled with the
advice of some friend who has real knowledge of horses; otherwise you
are putting yourself at the mercy of the kind of man who has given
horse-dealers at large the unfair reputation in which they are held by
the public.
Certainly the novice should not expect to get “something for nothing,”
and I would strongly advise the buyer to make up her mind that it is
better economy in the long run to pay a good price for what she wants
than to buy something cheap and in a short time have to sell it for even
less than she may have paid.
[Illustration: POINTS OF A HORSE
1--The Ear. 2--The Poll. 3--The Forehead. 4--The Nose. 5--The Nostril.
6--The Lip. 7--The Cheek. 8--The Crest. 9--Side of Neck. 10--Lower
Border of Neck. 11--The Shoulder. 12--The Withers. 13--The Brisket.
14--The Arm. 15--The Forearm. 16--The Elbow. 17--The Chestnut. 18--The
Knee. 19--The Canon. 20--The Fetlock. 21--The Pastern. 22--The Coronet.
23--The Hoof. 24--The Back. 25--The Loins. 26--The Croup. 27--The
Buttock. 28--The First Thigh. 29--The Second Thigh. 30--The Gaskin.
31--Point of Hock. 32--The Inner Face of Hock. 33--Hinder Canon.
34--Near Hind Fetlock. 35--Near Hind Pastern. 36--Ribs and Chest Wall.
38--Inner Side of Thigh. 39--Throat. 40--Top Line of Body. 41--Position
of Ergot on Fetlock. 42--Stifle.]
With regard to the prices charged by reputable dealers, one must bear in
mind the value of a horse’s education, all the chances of sickness and
of the development of unsoundness which the dealer has had to take, the
great expense of a dealer’s establishment in a large city, and the many
hands through which a horse has probably passed before he has come into
the dealer’s possession. There is not only the first cost of the horse
but also the expense of shipping him from the country--where he was
raised--into the city; the cost of keeping him there until he is
conditioned and has passed through the dangers of acclimatization--that
is, sickness caused by change of climate, of water, etc.--the risk of
breaking him to unaccustomed sights, and the long period of training and
developing into a schooled and mannered saddle horse.
[Illustration: LADY’S WESTERN PARK HACK (PINK LADY)]
Once the type has been decided on, whether it is a riding horse, a
driving horse, or a combination horse, the buyer must next determine
whether she knows enough to be able to trust to her own judgment, and,
if not, whether she knows some one who has sufficient knowledge to be
able to advise her or whether she must rely entirely upon the dealer.
She must, of course, be sure that any one on whose advice she relies not
only has sufficient knowledge but is entirely disinterested. If you
decide to rely on a dealer, it is far the best way to pick out your
dealer, go to him, and then, if he has not just what you want, ask him
to get it for you instead of going yourself to other dealers. This not
only saves time, but the dealer has a very much wider choice than you
could possibly have yourself, and it is my experience that by this
method you will not have to pay any more than you would if you went
straight to the dealer who has the animal that you want.
In buying a high-priced horse I would be sure that he carried out all
the conditions demanded by his type: that he possessed beauty and good
conformation, that he was free from blemish, that his manners were
perfect, his disposition good, and his age not less than five nor more
than eight. A horse younger than five is little more than a colt and
more liable to injury and blemish than an aged horse, and eight years is
a good boundary age, not only from a point of usefulness, but as a
matter of investment as well. There is a popular prejudice against
paying a big price for an aged horse (“aged” being the term applied to a
horse after his eighth year); that is, unless he is a show animal with a
list of winnings to his credit and bought to be shown.
A horse to have good conformation should show a niceness of proportion
in all his parts. Conformation in a saddle horse calls for a nice head,
and a long, flexible, and crested neck--never a ewe-neck. Looking from
the withers downward he should present a narrow appearance, for sharp,
well-defined withers are most necessary for the proper carrying of a
side-saddle, while gradually sloping shoulders hold the saddle in place
and go with good gaits and general handiness and quickness. The back
should be in proportion to the rest of the horse, and short rather than
long. A very long back is usually a sign of weakness and mars the
general appearance, but nearly as bad is the back that is too short.
This is generally accompanied by a very round barrel, flat withers,
thick shoulders, and a general undesirable chunkiness. The sway-back and
the roach-back must also be rejected. The former makes the proper
adjustment of the saddle difficult and gives an awkward “dipping back
feeling” to the rider, especially when posting. The roach-back is the
other extreme and makes her feel as if she were dipping forward. The
barrel should be well ribbed and the quarters must not slope nor the
tail be set too low or the top line will be destroyed.
“Manners” in a horse mean perfection of training, fearlessness, and a
will subservient to that of the rider, but do not mean a broken spirit.
The spirit should be there, but it should be under control.
When you have found a horse that “pleases your eye,” have him shown to
you at a walk, trot, and canter, which will give you an opportunity of
studying his appearance in motion and his manners generally. While at
his gaits look at him from in front and from behind as well as from the
side; that is, have him ridden toward you and away from you as well as
past you at all his gaits. Have him change from the walk to the canter
and see how quickly and readily he changes. Have him stand for a few
minutes and have him backed for at least six steps, and then have him
ridden a short distance at a fast canter and see how easily he reins
down. Mount him yourself two or three times. A horse that will not stand
quietly and that fusses while you mount and dismount is a nuisance;
backing is a good test for rearing, and reining in quickly is usually a
sign of a light mouth.
Never buy a puller; they are ruination to hands, pleasure, and temper;
so see that the horse you are looking at is bitted lightly, that he
wears the ordinary double bridle with curb bit and bridoon, and that the
curb chain is not fastened too tight. Beware of animals that are shown
to you with tight nosebands and tight curb chains, spoon bits, gag
snaffles, etc.,--these are signs of “pullers.” Equally bad is the horse
with no mouth at all, for he is often a rearer or a jibber. I like to
see a horse trained to be ridden with an even pressure on both curb and
snaffle, as described in the chapter on hands.
While the horse is being ridden for you to look at, watch closely how he
handles himself; see that his walk is free, his trot bold and well
balanced, and his action true all-round. By this I mean that his hock
action must be in keeping with his front action. A high-stepping horse
will give you a good ride if he uses his hocks equally well, but a horse
that is high-going in front and stiff and draggy in the hocks is
impossible.
See that he neither “dishes out” nor “paddles,” and that he does not
travel so closely that there is danger of his crossing his legs. Avoid
the horse that stretches too far in front and “points” or “dwells,” for,
except to a very good rider, these variations of the gait are
uncomfortable. They also count against a horse in the show ring.
His training and the trueness of his way of going having been proved, he
must next be tried for courage. If in the city, have him ridden past
automobiles, trolley cars, steam drills, and elevated roads; if in the
country, past automobiles, railroad trains, mowing machines, steam
rollers, or any unusual or noisy object, and in both city and country
see that he minds strange sounds, such as automobile horns, steam
whistles, etc., no more than strange sights.
The trial having gone satisfactorily thus far, have him saddled with
your own saddle and before mounting, ask the owner for points on the
best way of riding him.
Different horses have different little peculiarities, and may have been
taught by various signals. The person who has had experience with that
particular animal can give you valuable hints as to his training and the
signals for changing gaits, etc., to which he is accustomed.
The horse being now ready for you, mount him and start him off quietly;
first walk him, then try his trot and his canter, and if the gaits prove
pleasant the next step is the “vetting.”
Stallions, even the most tractable of them, are not suitable for women
either to ride or drive. The choice of a horse should therefore be
confined to mares and geldings. There are many who consider the gelding
preferable to the mare, but with this I do not quite agree. The mare has
a peculiar lightness of foot, vivacity, and _élan_ which are seldom if
ever found in the gelding.
RIDING AND DRIVING FOR WOMEN
_PART II--DRIVING_
CHAPTER XII
FORM
Before stepping into the trap, the horsewoman should make it a habit to
inspect the horse, harness, and trap, and see that everything is as it
should be: that the horse is properly put to, that the bit is right,
that the girths are neither too tight nor too loose, that the traces are
neither too long nor too short, and if there is a stop on the shaft that
it is just back of the tug. Be sure also that the trap is properly
turned out, that the rubbers are in, that there is no accumulation of
dust, that the nuts on the wheels are tight, and that every detail has
been properly attended to. Not only is this a wise precaution to use
with hired traps, but it shows your own coachman that you know what you
are about, and it keeps him up to his work. Having made this inspection,
which ought really to be done at a glance,--except that a careful
examination should always be made of the horse’s head to be sure that
the curb chain is neither too loose nor too tight, the bit not too far
up nor too far down, and the mouthpiece the width of the horse’s
mouth--neither too wide nor too narrow--and that the check or bearing
rein, if one is used, is not too tight,--the next thing is to step into
the trap. If you are driving a lady’s trap, such as a George IV, a
Peters’, or a basket phaeton, the groom who has driven the trap up from
the stable should, before getting out, have left the reins across the
middle of the dash with the end of the reins on the seat, and the whip
to the left of the reins, leaning against the seat and pointing to the
rear. The groom should then stand at the horse’s head. You should step
into the trap with the left foot, putting the right foot on the step,
then sit down, and at the same time gather the reins in the left hand
and the whip in the right.
[Illustration: GEORGE IV PHAETON
Note that the horse is too large for the trap]
[Illustration: INSPECTION OF THE HARNESS]
[Illustration: GETTING LENGTH OF THE REINS]
If you are driving a runabout or a cart, or any other than a distinctly
lady’s trap, the groom should leave the whip in the socket and should
pass the reins doubled through the off terret of the pad from rear to
front in such a way that the buckle end of the reins will hang even with
the loop. You should go to the off-side of the horse and draw the reins
through the terret with the left hand; then take the reins in the right
hand, the near rein under the forefinger and the off rein under the
third finger, with the ends coming out between the thumb and forefinger.
Then you take the reins just beyond the right hand in the left, the near
rein between the thumb and forefinger and the off rein between the
second and third fingers, the ends passing down the palm of the hand and
out by the little finger. Then step back until you are opposite the
dash, letting the reins slip through both hands, and then, with the
right hand, pull them through the left a little more until they are at
the length which they will be when you are in the seat, and very
lightly feel the horse’s mouth. Then take the whip out of the socket
with the right hand and transfer the reins to the right hand in the same
position as I have described above, and step into the trap. Take hold of
the dash with the right hand, and put the right foot on the step and
step into the trap with the left foot, and if necessary assist yourself
by placing the left hand on the seat when you are in the act of stepping
in. Sit down on the driving seat and take the reins in the left hand in
the position described above, keeping the whip in the right hand. So
far, exactly the same things are done whether you are driving a pair or
a single horse. With a pair you should not have the whip laid across the
horses’ backs, as you would in driving four.
[Illustration: STEPPING INTO THE TRAP]
For ladies’ traps I prefer the square, almost level driving cushion to
the slanting one, as it is more comfortable and gives a woman a more
distinctive appearance. For country traps, and particularly for high
carts, a slanting cushion may be more suitable.
[Illustration: “ORTHODOX” POSITION OF REINS AND WHIP]
When driving, it is most important that a woman should sit correctly.
She should hold herself erect, without stiffness; her feet should be
together and her knees slightly bent. She should neither sit with her
knees straight nor, what is worse, be perched on the edge of the seat
with her feet back; she should never while driving loll against the back
of the seat, and she should look as though she were driving and not as
if she were being driven.
[Illustration: “MODERN” POSITION OF REINS WITH LOOP]
There are only two correct ways to hold the reins when driving, and so
many people hold them incorrectly that I will describe them in detail.
The two reins should always be held in the left hand, the near rein
between the thumb and forefinger, the off rein between the second and
third fingers, and the ends passing down and out by the little finger.
The reins should be gripped by the fingers holding the edges of the
reins against the cushion of the hand, and should not be held by
squeezing the flat surfaces of the reins between the fingers, and they
should be held tightly enough so that they will not slip, but not so
tightly as to cramp and tire the fingers. Holding the reins in this way,
well down into the fingers and as close to the knuckles as possible,
insures a firm grip and makes it easy to guide to the right or the left
by merely turning the back of the hand down or up. The left upper arm
should be vertical, the left forearm horizontal, the hand turned in at
the wrist, and held about six or eight inches in front of the body. The
right hand should be held in a corresponding position about four or five
inches from the left hand.
The whip should be balanced in the palm of the right hand, passing
between the thumb and forefinger so as to leave all the fingers free to
grasp the reins if need be. It should be carried at an angle of
forty-five degrees, and point toward the left and front. The lash of the
whip, for single and pair horse driving, should always be free.
The theory of correct driving is that the left hand is to hold the
reins, the right hand to hold the whip and to assist the left hand in
shortening the reins and in turning and stopping. The method of holding
the reins in the left hand, and keeping the right hand only to assist
the left, as I have described, is that laid down by nearly all the
recognized authorities on driving,[1] and for convenience I will call it
the orthodox method.
Footnote 1: “Driving As I Have Found It,” by Frank Swales, pp. 94-100;
“How To Drive,” by Captain Morley-Knight, pp. 24-28.
[Illustration: CORRECT POSITION FOR SHORTENING REINS]
A variation on this method has, however, been introduced recently, and
is now generally adopted by many of the best whips, both in England and
this country, and is almost universally used in the show ring, where it
is considered the correct form. For convenience I shall refer to this as
the modern method. In this method, while the reins are held in the left
hand as I have described, the off rein is allowed to slip through the
second and third fingers about five or six inches, and is held in the
right hand, passing under the little finger and coming out between the
first and second fingers. The right hand is held about three or four
inches from the left and symmetrically to it; the portion of the reins
between the right and left hand is slightly loose. The whip is held in
the right hand exactly as I have described, so that the forefinger of
the right hand is extended and the other three fingers closed on the
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