RULES FOR GAINING THE CORRECT POSITION IN THE SADDLE.
Before a lady mounts she must endeavour to carry in her mind’s eye the centre of her saddle. On this centre she 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.
THE POSITION IN THE SADDLE.
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 its elasticity to 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.
THE ARMS.
They should hang perfectly independent of the body, from the shoulders near the sides, yet quite free from having a constrained appearance.
THE LEGS.
The right leg from the hip to the knee should be kept down in the saddle, and, as much as the rider possibly can, without moving. The lady will materially assist herself in this object by drawing the heel backwards. The left leg must hang steady, yet not, by any means, rest its weight in the stirrup, for in consequence of the muscles of the leg being round, the foot will naturally turn outward, thus causing a wavering, tottering seat, inclining the body too much out of balance, and giving a disunited motion to the horse, and an ungraceful and deformed appearance to the rider. To prevent this, the knee must be kept firmly pressed to the saddle; and, as before remarked, by depressing the heel, the toe will be naturally turned in.
THE STIRRUP.
The position of the foot in the stirrup is of great importance; upon it depends much; keeping the correct balance of the body on the horse, which consists in sitting perfectly square and erect, and preserving a steady position in the saddle. In fitting the stirrup the lady ought to have her length correctly arranged, which is done in the following manner:—The stirrup leg must hang quite free from the hip-joint, the knee being slightly bent, with the toes raised and turned in towards the horse’s side. Keep the foot fixed as immovable as possible in the stirrup, allowing the pressure alone to come from the toes to the bridge of the foot, which will have the effect of giving the elasticity and regularity of movement required in the horse’s quickened paces.
The length of the stirrup must be made a matter of importance. On it, in a very great measure, depends a steady, firm seat.
THE STIRRUP TOO LONG.
In the lady’s endeavours to retain her foot in the stirrup, her weight must preponderate on the left side; if the stirrup be too short, it necessarily gives a rolling motion to her body, destructive alike to grace, elegance, and security of seat, and will prevent her seating herself sufficiently back in her saddle.
On the Reins (vide [p. 27]).
Holding the Reins in one hand (vide [p. 28]).
Using both hands (vide [p. 29]).
Riding on one rein (vide [p. 30]).
The Whip (vide [p. 30]).
THE BRIDLE HAND.
The motion of the lady’s hand must be confined to the wrist—as in pianoforte playing—the action coming from it alone.
By the management of the reins, in concert with the yielding or retraction of the wrists, the horse is guided in his paces. By this mode the sensibility and goodness of his mouth is preserved; the beauty of his action is developed; steadiness is combined with security in his paces, and the safety of his rider is secured. The degree of command, which the animal can be placed under, entirely depends on the degree of proficiency acquired in this branch.
GUIDING.
There are four motions requisite in guiding a horse.
To go forward.—Lengthen the reins, and give the animal his liberty. For this purpose the lady’s hand must be guided by the action of her wrist, and, at the same time, she must apply gently her whip. Here, it is proper to remark, the lady’s bridle, or left, hand must never be left inactive, but, by practice, she must endeavour to understand the art of feeling the horse’s mouth; should the bridle hand not be kept in constant use this will never come easy to the rider, the hand will be unsteady, and the horse will become the same.
To go backward.—The reins must be shortened a little, the back of the hand turned down, the little finger next the body; the weight of the rider should be thrown back, with the little finger slightly pulled in towards the waist, then the horse will readily step back.
To turn to the right.—The hand must be turned upwards, which will direct the little finger to the right. Throw the balance of the body into the turn, by inclining the bust to the right and applying the whip, which will cause the horse to move forward as he turns, obey the hand, and cross his legs one over the other, correctly.
To turn to the left.—Let the hand be turned down, so that the little finger may be directed to the left; the bust must also be turned to the left, and the hand up, with the left heel applied to his side, and the whip to his right shoulder.
DISMOUNTING.
There is tact necessary in dismounting, in order that the lady may avoid the exposé and inelegance, attendant upon, as it were, being lifted from the saddle in a groom’s arms.
Previous to dismounting, the groom must stand by the horse’s head, holding the reins close to the bit, to keep him as steady as possible.
The lady having removed her foot from the stirrup, and 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.
MAXIMS TO BE ATTENDED TO.
Be particular to avoid nervousness and hurry, either in mounting or dismounting.
Take time, and have everything correctly arranged before starting; serious accidents have occurred frequently from being in haste to start off.
Arrange the habit, length of stirrup, and have the saddle-bands and buckles properly examined before the journey is begun, to prevent having to stop on the road.
Be careful to keep the hand active, and watch the movements of the horse; by this means the rider will never be thrown off her guard, and will be prepared for every emergency.
Keep the horse’s mouth always in play, so as to keep up its fine feeling, indispensable to his correct guidance.
Never allow the reins to hang loosely on the horse’s neck, crutch, or pummel of the saddle. This oversight frequently causes serious and fatal accidents.
Always use double reins. Should one become useless, there is still another to rely upon.
Before the author concludes, he begs to be allowed to impress upon his fair readers, that an elegant and accomplished equestrian becomes an equally graceful pedestrian, from the improved carriage acquired from proficiency in the former accomplishment.
To become an elegant pedestrian is no mean task, nor is it an easy one to accomplish. Yet it is of the utmost importance to a lady, in particular, to master it. How often, in our experience through life, have we met with a lovely face and perfect figure,—everything that could constitute the perfection of female beauty, while at rest!—but once in motion, the illusion is dispelled from a bad carriage and shuffling gait, the perfect form becomes quite common-place. These two destructives to beauty can be entirely eradicated by attention to the following directions, and which apply equally to
WALKING AND RIDING.
Keep the bust and head erect; the shoulders well thrown back. The motive power to proceed from the hips alone.
Perseverance in these few directions will soon give all that is required for a graceful and healthy carriage.
Finally.—At all times trust to your reins for security, in cases of danger. Never grasp the pummel of the saddle. Never use a “Habit Brooch.”
