Equestrianism For Ladies

The American Girl Goes A-Horse in Search of Health, Strength, and Beauty

COREY FORD

THESE fine fall days, with the air like wine and the leaves crisp under foot, what is more pleasant to mount upon, to gallop with over hill and dale, to rein in at last beside one's hitching-post and dismount from, tired but happy, than—a horse?

It is a thousand pities that woman's good comrade, the Bicycle, has felt her fickleness. The tendency of late has been to allow this faithful friend to slip into the discard; and today lady cyclists on the Avenue are few and far between. Park Avenue no longer witnesses the familiar row of high-wheeled "bikes" drawn up before Mrs. Rensselaer's verandah at tea-time. Fashionable dowagers have eschewed this loyal machine for roller-skates or the luxury of a motor-cycle side-car; and the democratic Bicycle seems doomed to neglect.

Yet with the passing of the Bicycle, ladies have turned at last to the healthful exercise of horseback riding; and the morning canter down Fifth Avenue has succeeded the brisk spin on a wheel through upper Harlem. Of late the popularity of equestrianism for ladies has progressed by leaps and bounds, as indeed has the horse; and the "horsewoman" is fast becoming a familiar figure among our younger debutantes. Consequently these few remarks at this season upon the finer points of horsewomanship may not be considered amiss.

Being a horsewoman and being "horsy" are not synonymous; neither does one depend upon the other. The sensitive girl need not feel that her intimate association with horses will in any way lower her own standards to the level of those of the horse. Just as "fine feathers" do not make "fine birds", so do stable slang, groomish mannerisms or "sporty" clothes not indicate a good horsewoman.

The selection of the proper dress for the saddle (i.e., for the lady riding in the saddle) is of the first importance; since once a habit is formed by a young girl, it is often very hard to change and may last for years, particularly if made of some durable material. Safetyskirts should always be worn; and of these there are several different patterns. One is practically an apron, which has no back to it, but which on the saddle gives the effect of a skirt. This model is apt to prove awkward, however, when the lady dismounts, unless she is wearing a similar skirt in the rear or walks backwards. A more modest pattern has an open seam back of the legs and up around the pommel, which may be fastened together when the wearer is off the horse. The safest way is to wear both these skirts at once, and stay on the horse anyway till after twilight.

The underclothing for riding should be as carefully considered as the outer garments. The corset or corset waist should be loose enough for absolute comfort; and balbriggan drawers, such as the boys wear, are best in the long run (e.g., from thigh to ankle, and return). Over the drawers may be worn a pair of equestrian tights, riding-breeches, or a plain oak barrel.

A black derby is the correct hat for winter, and a plain straw sailor for summer, the threecornered hat being a recent innovation and distinctly unbecoming. Hats should be worn well down on the forehead, and fastened beneath the chin with a broad elastic. The hair should be plainly braided and tied at the neck with a ribbon; and for neckwear I recommend an Ascot stock fastened with an appropriate pin, such as a horse medallion.

Very baggy riding-breeches and polo-legged boots should be worn in the cross-saddle. The stiff riding-boot is much better than the legging, as it docs not disclose the shape of the limb. The coat should be split up the back to allow the skirts to fall on either side of the horse, and securely fastened to a button on each knee (the rider's knee). In this manner the whole thigh and upper limb are concealed, providing the nattiest and withal most modest costume for the rider. On the other hand, the most modest costume for the horse consists of a pair of long lace drawers which are drawn up over his rear legs and tied securely about his stomach. Spats should be fastened just below the fetlock.

The advisability of "riding astride" has been much agitated of late; but for my own part I earnestly believe that the cross-saddle for women will prove more or less of a fad, and will disappear with such inventions as the radio and the aeroplane. Most women are too broad-shouldered across the hips, and too short and thick from the hip to the knee, either tc look well or ride well astride; and then there is something also to be said for the feelings of the horse. A horse is sensitive.

The proper method for a lady to mount a horse is very similar to that of a lady climbing into the upper berth of a Pullman, except that there isn't any ladder. In mounting from the ground, stand on the left side of the horse, gather the reins in the right hand, and place the hand on the upper pommel; then grasp the horn of the saddle with the left hand and face slightly toward the horse's shoulder. Put the ball of the left foot in the groom's right hand (Figure B) and at an agreed signal straighten the left knee and at the same time spring from his hand as he gives a sudden upward impetus.

Picking yourself up from the ground on the opposite side of the horse, with the assistance of the groom, and dusting off your clothes, you will next attempt to mount the horse from the right side. Place the ball of the right foot in the groom's hand and vault upward, just as the horse yawns and edges sideways in disgust, leaving you still balanced on one toe in the groom's hand and wobbling in the air. A small American flag and a blue spot-light will assist at this point.

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After tying the horse securely, front and rear, approach him again from the left side, grasp the horn with the left hand and face slightly toward the horse's shoulder. Place the ball of the left foot in the groom's right hand (Figure B) and at an agreed signal straighten the left knee, just as your foot slips from the groom's hand and butts into the pit of his stomach. Plant the right foot wildly upon his chest as he grabs for your left knee, cling to his hair with your right hand, swing your other foot in a wide circle in the air, clutch his left ear, and manage to straddle his neck. Reach desperately for the horn and haul yourself upward as the groom gropes slowly to his feet under your skirts. Execute a sudden takeoff with your left foot, stamping lightly on his face for the last time as you lift yourself across the saddle like a sack of wheat, squirm around onto your hips, cross your right leg securely about the pommel, and turn triumphantly. The groom will presently be discovered under the horse.

Perhaps an easier method, from the point of view of the groom, would be for him to pull the horse's legs out from under it and flop the animal over on its side. While the horse is in this position the lady rider may sit down on the saddle and adjust her legs with ease; and all the groom has to do is to pick up the horse again.

The proper gaits for a saddle-horse are the walk, trot and canter, similar to the gear-shifts of an automobile, except that a horse has no reverse. The would-be rider would do well to practice these movements before she learns to ride; and perhaps no better method can be found to understand the action of a horse than to mount to the head of a long flight of hardwood stairs, sit on a roller-skate, and allow a friend to give you a gentle push forward. After the stairs have been descended in this manner three or four times, the pupil will have mastered the fundamentals of equestrianism and secured a firm working base. The remaining details may be picked up with a little practice each morning on a pogo stick.

Having acquired the up-and-down motion, the only difficulty now lies in making your up coincide with the up of the horse. Complete confidence is necessary for the expert rider, since the horse seems to know when you are frightened, and rarely fails to take advantage of it, in his quiet way. Remember that so long as you are on a horse nothing can touch you, except possibly the horse; and since this only happens with a resounding smack once every two or three minutes, you are perfectly safe until you hit the ground. Lean far forward in the saddle, grasp the horse tightly about the neck, shut your eyes, kick out your heels and, with a leap and a bound, you arc off.

Too much cannot be said for the glow of health that surrounds the fair rider after a day in the saddle. Her eyes dance with joy when the ride is over, both her cheeks are flushed with a delicate pink, and she is up on her toes, usually for several days afterwards. Once the novice has mastered the directions contained in this article, mounted a gallant horse, and felt the firm flanks, the heaving back, the rise and fall of the hard saddle beneath her, she will realize at last that for sheer happiness and the joy of living, there is nothing like taking a brisk walk.

We have endeavoured, in the foregoing instructions, to offer the lady novice advice upon how to mount a horse, and how to ride a horse. And now, one more word about dismounting. This is the one part of horseback riding that the beginner will take to instinctively. Simply use your head.