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Two styles of side-saddle riding
Preparatoryto a lady mounting her horse, she should carefully approach to the shoulder. The quietest animal will sometimes kick on a person coming suddenly to him from behind; but if neared in the manner described, he cannot possibly contrive to bite or kick.
It is also correct to allow the horse to see his rider as much as possible, as it obviates the fright occasioned by a person getting suddenly on his back, that he has not previously seen coming to him.
Both the habit andundergarments should be full, as upon this so much depends the requisite ease and graceful appearance. The habit should not, however, be too long, as it is liable to become entangled in the horse’s legs. Sometimes serious and even fatal falls have occurred from this cause, particularly if the horse falls to the ground, as the habit cannot be speedily extricated from under him.
The author here strongly advises a ladyneverto tuck her skirts tight over the crutch of hersaddle, but take pains to have them so easy, as to be enabled on the instant to disengagebothskirts and knee. A facility,in this, can only be acquired byconstantpractice; and it is of far greater importance to the lady equestrian to attain, than may appear at the first glance. Had thisapparently slightattainment been made a matter ofmoderateconsideration, many a parent need not have had to deplore thedeath or disfigurementof a beloved child.
When a lady has her habit drawn over the crutch of her saddle, and tucked tightly in under her leg (for the purpose of keeping the skirt in its proper position), she denies herself the full liberty of her knee, and in case of accident, to be off the horse.
On the slightest warning, thoughforeseen, whatever the danger, thetightnessof the lady’s dress will not allow her to get her leg out of its place, in time to make any effectual effort to save herself; also, it is probable that the habit might get entangled in the pummel, and she, frightened of course, would become unable to disengage her foot from the stirrup (or shoe), in which case she inevitably experiences the most appalling of all accidents,—being dragged powerless, by a terrified horse, a considerable distance along the road.
Before closing this portion of his subject, the author is rejoiced that the extremely dangerous and most unnecessary fashion of wearing “Habit Brooches” is now no longer adopted,—things solely invented for “trade purposes,”—and to any, and especially to a graceful horsewoman, a truly ridiculous article to wear: never to be patronized by a lady, anxious for her own safety and the feelings of her family and friends.
To illustrate this:—The position of a lady on horseback is greatly limited, when compared to thatof a gentleman; necessarily then, when her skirt is confined by a “Habit Brooch,”all powermust be taken away, andall chanceof escape, when an accident occurs. Averyslight fall to the lady may be fatal, where, had she had the full liberty of her skirt, it would have been very trivial. Theproperarrangement of the skirt of the riding-dress, to prevent its flying about, entirely depends on the lady herself.
Two persons are absolutely necessary to assist a lady to mount; one to keep the horse quiet, by standing in front of him, and holding the reins close to the bit,one rein in each hand; the other is for assisting her to mount. The lady, havingregulated her habit, must stand perfectly erect; her right hand; having the bridoon-rein hanging loosely on the thumb, being placed upon the upright horn of the saddle (her whip held between the thumb and forefinger), her right side towards and close to it.
The second person, who is to assist the lady to mount, must now place himself near to, and almost fronting her; having united his hands by putting his fingers between each other, and stooping down near to the ground, receives the lady’s left foot, which should be placed firmly in them, care being previously taken that no part of her skirt is under it. The left knee should be kept as straight as possible, in order to give additional purchase, while lifting her perpendicularly and gracefully into the saddle. The lady must then place her left hand on his right shoulder, and as he lifts her,she must spring from the instep, at the same time guiding herself into the saddle with her right hand.
Having gained her saddle, the lady should take hold of her habit with her right hand, close to the knee, and raise it sufficiently to allow of the right knee droppingwell homeinto the crutch, and keeping it there, as far as she possibly can, immovable.
Before a lady mounts she must endeavour to carry in her mind’s eye thecentreof her saddle. Onthis centreshe must, as nearly as possible, place herself; and to assist her memory, she should take it for a rule, to keep her eyes in a straight line between the horse’s ears when lifted into it. By these means, after a little practice, she will not fail to drop almost insensibly into the correct position; the weight of her body being thrown full into the centre of the saddle, rendering her seat firm and easy to her horse and herself. For example:—should we place a weight on one side of a table, the other side having nothing on it as a balance, if it does not actually fall, it will become extremely insecure and unsteady; but, on the contrary, if the weight be placed in the centre, the table will be safe and steady, even if ricketty before; therefore, if the lady does not sit “square” (that is, quite in the centre) on her horse, she must inevitably throw all her weight to one side, and thereby destroy her power over the horse, and instead of giving him his correct action, render him unsafe, and shambling in his gait.
To obtain a correct position in the saddle, the lady must keep her head erect, and her shoulders well thrown back, which will have the effect of expanding the chest, and giving the requisite hollowness to the small of the back. It is also most important that the rider should keep her body from the waist to the bust very easy, in no way to be constrained, more especially across the loins. By observing these directions, the lady will be enabled to accommodate herself, without uneasiness, to the motions of her horse.
When the upper portion of the body regulates itself by itselasticityto the paces of the horse, there is this additional advantage,—let the animal plunge or struggle as it may, if the rider keeps her knee immovable in its place, her left foot in the stirrup (with the toe turned in, which eminently assists her seat and balance), and preserves her presence of mind, and overcomes any approach to nervousness, she cannot be unseated.
They should hangperfectlyindependent of the body, from the shoulders near the sides,yet quitefree from having a constrained appearance.
The right leg from the hip to the knee should be kept down in the saddle, and, as much as the rider possibly can, without moving. The lady will materially assist herself in this object by drawingthe heel backwards. The left leg must hang steady,yetnot, by any means, rest its weight in the stirrup, for in consequence of the muscles of the leg being round, the foot will naturally turn outward, thus causing a wavering, tottering seat, inclining the body too much out of balance, and giving a disunited motion to the horse, and an ungraceful and deformed appearance to the rider. To prevent this, the knee must be kept firmly pressed to the saddle; and, as before remarked, by depressing the heel, the toe will be naturally turned in.
The position of the foot in the stirrup is of great importance; upon it depends much; keeping the correct balance of the body on the horse, which consists in sitting perfectly square and erect, and preserving a steady position in the saddle. In fitting the stirrup the lady ought to have her length correctly arranged, which is done in the followingmanner:—The stirrup leg must hang quite free from the hip-joint, the knee being slightly bent, with the toes raised and turned in towards the horse’s side. Keep the foot fixed as immovable as possible in the stirrup, allowing the pressure alone to come from the toes to the bridge of the foot, which will have the effect of giving the elasticity and regularity of movement required in the horse’s quickened paces.
Thelengthof the stirrup must be made a matter of importance. On it, in a very great measure,dependsa steady, firm seat.
In the lady’s endeavours to retain her foot in the stirrup, her weight must preponderate on the left side; if the stirrup betoo short, it necessarily gives a rolling motion to her body, destructive alike to grace, elegance, and security of seat, and will prevent her seating herself sufficiently back in her saddle.
On the Reins (videp. 27).
Holding the Reins in one hand (videp. 28).
Using both hands (videp. 29).
Riding on one rein (videp. 30).
The Whip (videp. 30).
The motion of the lady’s hand must be confined to thewrist—as in pianoforte playing—the action coming fromit alone.
By the management of the reins, in concert with the yielding or retraction of the wrists, the horse is guided in his paces. By this mode the sensibility and goodness of his mouth is preserved; the beauty of his action is developed; steadiness is combined with security in his paces, and the safety of his rider is secured. The degree of command, which the animal can be placed under,entirely depends on the degree of proficiencyacquired in this branch.
There arefourmotions requisite in guiding a horse.
To go forward.—Lengthen the reins, and give the animal his liberty. For this purpose the lady’s hand must be guided by theactionof her wrist, and, at the same time, she must apply gently her whip. Here, it is proper to remark, the lady’s bridle, or left, hand must never be left inactive, but, by practice, she must endeavour to understand the art offeeling the horse’s mouth; should the bridle handnotbe kept in constant use this will never come easy to the rider, the hand will be unsteady, and the horse will become the same.
To go backward.—The reins must be shortened a little, the back of the hand turned down, the little finger next the body; the weight of the rider should be thrown back, with the little finger slightly pulled in towards the waist, then the horse will readily step back.
To turn to the right.—The hand must be turned upwards, which will direct the little finger to the right. Throw the balance of the body into the turn, by inclining the bust to the right and applying the whip, which will cause the horse to move forward as he turns, obey the hand, and cross his legs one over the other, correctly.
To turn to the left.—Let the hand be turned down, so that the little finger may be directed to the left; the bust must also be turned to the left, and the hand up, with the left heel applied to his side, and the whip to his right shoulder.
There is tact necessary in dismounting, in order that the lady may avoid theexposéand inelegance, attendant upon, as it were, being lifted from the saddle in a groom’s arms.
Previous to dismounting, the groom must stand by the horse’s head, holding the reins close to the bit, to keep him as steady as possible.
The lady having removed her foot from the stirrup, and passed her hand down to free her skirt, etc., from all chance of catching to the saddle or stirrup, should remove her knee out of the crutch; at the same time taking the precaution to disengage the habit from that side. Then holding the crutch with her right hand (the rein hanging loosely on the thumb), and now placing her left hand on her groom’s right arm, near the wrist; his arm being extended for the purpose, she must spring lightly and clear from the saddle, slightly inclining the bust towards the horse’s shoulder.
By this method the lady will quite disengage herself, and descend gently to the ground.
Be particular to avoid nervousness and hurry, either in mounting or dismounting.
Take time, and have everything correctly arranged before starting; serious accidents have occurred frequently from being in haste to start off.
Arrange the habit, length of stirrup, and have the saddle-bands and buckles properly examinedbefore the journey is begun, to prevent having to stop on the road.
Be careful to keep the hand active, and watch the movements of the horse; by this means the rider will never be thrown off her guard, and will be prepared for every emergency.
Keep the horse’s mouth always in play, so as to keep up its fine feeling,indispensableto his correct guidance.
Never allow the reins to hang loosely on the horse’s neck, crutch, or pummel of the saddle. This oversight frequently causes serious and fatal accidents.
Alwaysusedoublereins. Should one become useless, there is still another to rely upon.
Before the author concludes, he begs to be allowed toimpressupon his fair readers, that anelegantand accomplishedequestrianbecomes an equallygraceful pedestrian, from the improved carriage acquired from proficiency in the former accomplishment.
To become anelegant pedestrianis no mean task, nor is it aneasyone to accomplish. Yet it is of the utmost importance to a lady,in particular, to master it. How often, in our experience through life, have we met with a lovely face and perfect figure,—everything that could constitute the perfection offemale beauty,while at rest!—but once inmotion, the illusion is dispelled from abad carriage and shuffling gait, the perfect form becomes quite common-place. These two destructives to beauty can be entirely eradicated by attention to the following directions, and which apply equally to
Keep the bust and headerect; the shoulderswell thrown back. The motive power to proceed from the hipsalone.
Perseverance in these few directions will soon give all that is required for a graceful and healthy carriage.
Finally.—At all timestrust to your reins for security, in cases of danger.Nevergrasp the pummel of the saddle. Never use a “Habit Brooch.”
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I have been quite surprised to see, in such a city as London, the paucity of really good saddles. Most of them would disfigure any horse they were put upon, with flaps of all shapes but the right.
To say how a saddle should be made, would be quite impossible, as it solely depends on the horse and his rider; for instance, a thin and sweepy saddle will not suit a horse with round, heavy shoulders, and wide over his loins. Many imagine that cut-back saddles are less liable to injure the rider, than ordinary ones; this is quite fallacious.
The saddle must have the head, or what is called, the pummel, to begin upon; and the furtherthatcan be carried forward the better; but the nearer it is got under the seat, the more likely is itto seriously injurethe rider.
Inside-saddles there is great variety; but the requisites for afirst-rateside-saddle, to my idea, and one I would not hesitate in recommending, should belength(indispensable),a leaping-head,no off-head, and it should be cut as nearly level as possible. None, I may say, can dispute my first remark, andnonewho have ridden with the leaping-head will ever after bewithout it.
There are those who say no, to the off-head being cut away, “for should a lady become nervous, she could not steady herself so well as if the head had been left on;” here I fully agree, but beg to say in reply, that before a lady attempts the road or anywhere where she might be placed in such a critical position, she must have her nerves so strengthened through her equestrian education, that she need not look to the off-head of her saddle for safety; herpoint d’appuiis the leaping-head. When holding on by the off-head, the lady of course losesthe useof one hand. Next, her horse may go where he pleases, for she cannot get her hands down to have a good pull at his mouth. Then, in hunting, the poor lady’s wrists are everlastingly bruised by the off-head, to say nothing of the danger of their being broken by it.
There is a great variety of bridles. Generally speaking, the plainer the bridle the better, more especially for hunting and hacking; for the former,let your bit be long in the check (i.e., in moderation), the mouth-piece thick, having the bridoon the same, thesuaviter in modobeing much more agreeable than thefortiter in re, to all animals. For hack bridles, any fancy check may do, if the horse’s head be sufficiently handsome; but let me request my readers not to put a fancy bridle on a coarse-bred, common horse.
Simple as it may appear, it spoils the heads of all horses, as it is usually made. It should be long enough to fall just below the cheek-bone, and not to layonoroverit, as it makes the animal’s head look short and thick.
Not as they were used in days past,attachedto bridle, butseparate. No one knows its efficacy when placed low, but those who have tried it; its exact position will, of course, depend much on the size of the mouth.
Some imagine this is not an indispensable thing to a bridle, either in hunting or hacking,but itis, more especially inPelham’s. I have seen a horse in tossing his head, throw the Pelham bit over on to his face; had a chin strap been attached to the bridle, this could not have happened.
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(Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert.)
BY S. C. WAITE, ESQ.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
Standard.
Mr. Waite’sbook will putevery one, who shall obey its instructions, in the way of ridingwell; for it does as much as a book can to teach the theory of the art. It is a book to be purchased and carefully read by every one, not an experienced horseman, who purposes to ride or buy a horse, and even theexperiencedhorseman will find in itvaluableinformation.
Morning Advertiser.
Thiswork reflects high credit on Mr. Waite for its practical lucidity, and the pleasing manner in which the instructions are imparted. His directions forcuringthe acquiredbadhabits of horses, too often the results of ill usage, or violence of ignorant grooms and horse-breakers, are excellent. The position of the saddle, the proper fixing of it and the bridle, thebestmethod of mounting, position in the saddle (illustrated by diagrams), are carefully and sensibly treated on. The third section, “Advice to Ladies,” is novel, and the hintsinvaluable, not only to the fair sex, but to those who may have to instruct them in the graceful art of Equitation.
Morning Chronicle.
Inbringing under notice a new book, practical and highly amusing, upon the noble Art of Horsemanship, which has emanated from the pen of a well-known and accomplishedprofessor thereof, we have pleasure in stating the reader will find in these pages excellent practical hints and sound suggestions on the art of riding well; and, in the manner of training and treating horses we sincerely concur with, and we honour and respect Mr. Waite, when he so forcibly inculcates kindness and gentleness, though combined with firmness, as essentials in the education and treatment of the horse; hardships, cruelty, and neglect he strongly deprecates.
The instructions in the proper seat and carriage on horseback, the management of the whip and rein, are minutely explained, and of the greatest utility. He is particularly attentive to the ladies, and admitting the power they lose by their peculiar seat, he gives the best recommendations for remedying the evil, as far as possible, by securing an exactly central fix upon the saddle, the best form of which he learnedly discusses. Speaking seriously, all fair riders ought, for their own sake, to profit by his advice, the result of long experience.
Sunday Times.
Mr. Waite, anexperienced professorof the art, has given us a hand-book,in whichwill be found a great variety of instruction, by which the equestrian will receive such directions for the management of his horse, under a variety of circumstances, as must prove ofgreat valueto him.
Observer.
Thiswork isevidentlythe production of one who has acquired athoroughacquaintance with the subject, and who, moreover, possesses therare advantageof communicating his instructions in a manner peculiarlyampleandclear. We have seennoother work in which such a variety of information on the subject is embraced. The advice to ladies is most valuable.
AUTHOR OF “THE EQUESTRIAN’S MANUAL,”
(Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert,)
With advice to purchasers of Horses, &c., and Originator of the Improved Military Seat (obviating ruptures), and positions for Ladies and Gentlemen on Horseback.—(VideOpinions of the Press, April, 1850.)
Mr. Waitehas been requested by a numerous circle of personal friends to submit to the notice of the public an ointment, proved to be invaluable to the owners of racing and hunting establishments, breeders, farmers, &c., for restoring hair on broken knees, and where it has been lost, through accidents, disease, blistering, firing, &c., &c.; it is likewise available for dogs in reproducing hair, bare from mange, scalds, burns, and abrasions.
Mr. Waite obtained the above valuable recipe from the late celebrated and eccentric character, Patrick Jones, of Dublin, familiarly known in military and sporting circles, and throughout the kingdom, as “Old Paddy,” who, after an unfailing success in its use, in all parts of the world (where called by his military duties), for a period verging on eighty years (and by him obtained from his father), on his death-bed, in 1853, confided the secret to the present proprietor.
To be had in pots at 3s., 5s., 8s., and 17s.6d., and in 8lb. canisters for hounds after mange, &c., &c., at £4. 4s.
FromDr. Bunting,the great American Horse Tamer and Breaker.
2,Onslow Terrace, Brompton,May 22nd, 1859.
2,Onslow Terrace, Brompton,May 22nd, 1859.
Sir,—I beg to certify that I have used your “Old Paddy Jones’s Ointment” for restoring hair on horses and dogs, innumerouscases of valuable horses, and inno instancehas it failed in its efficacy, and I consider it to be invaluable to every establishment where horses and dogs are kept. In future, I shall never be without it. Wishing you every success,
Believe me to be truly yours,J. G. Bunting.
S. C. Waite, Esq.,Brompton.
S. C. Waite, Esq.,Brompton.
Patent American Break Office,Mason’s Riding School, Brompton,July 7th, 1859.
Patent American Break Office,Mason’s Riding School, Brompton,July 7th, 1859.
Sir,—Having used your “Old Paddy Jones’s Ointment” for restoring the hair on horses and dogs, I have great pleasure in testifying to itsgoodqualities in all the cases I have had in hand, and think it will be agreat boonto all keeping either a horse or dog.
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ToS. C. Waite, Esq.,Brompton.
ToS. C. Waite, Esq.,Brompton.
ROBERT HARDWICKE, PRINTER, 192, PICCADILLY.
Transcriber’s NoteThe following typographical errors were corrected.PageErrorCorrection37mettle somemettlesome51that a gentlemanthat of a gentleman
Transcriber’s Note
The following typographical errors were corrected.