[Illustration]
ADVICE TO LADIES.
Preparatory to 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.
THE HABIT.
Both the habit and _under_ garments 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 lady _never_ to tuck her skirts tight
over the crutch of her saddle, but take pains to have them so easy, as
to be enabled on the instant to disengage _both_ skirts and knee. A
facility, _in this_, can only be acquired by _constant_ practice; and it
is of far greater importance to the lady equestrian to attain, than may
appear at the first glance. Had this _apparently slight_ attainment been
made a matter of _moderate_ consideration, many a parent need not have
had to deplore the _death or disfigurement_ of 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, though _foreseen_, whatever the danger, the
_tightness_ of 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 that of a gentleman; necessarily then, when
her skirt is confined by a "Habit Brooch," _all power_ must be taken
away, and _all chance_ of escape, when an accident occurs. A _very_
slight fall to the lady may be fatal, where, had she had the full
liberty of her skirt, it would have been very trivial. The _proper_
arrangement of the skirt of the riding-dress, to prevent its flying
about, entirely depends on the lady herself.
MOUNTING.
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, having regulated 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 dropping _well home_ into the crutch, and keeping it
there, as far as she possibly can, immovable.
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 _expose_ 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."
REMARKS ON SADDLERY.
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 further _that_ can be carried forward the better; but the
nearer it is got under the seat, the more likely is it _to seriously
injure_ the rider.
In _side_-saddles there is great variety; but the requisites for a
_first-rate_ side-saddle, to my idea, and one I would not hesitate in
recommending, should be _length_ (_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, and _none_ who have ridden with
the leaping-head will ever after be _without 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; her _point d'appui_ is the
leaping-head. When holding on by the off-head, the lady of course loses
_the use_ of 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.
BRIDLES.
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, the _suaviter in modo_
being much more agreeable than the _fortiter 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.
THE THROAT LASH.
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 lay _on_ or _over_ it, as it makes the animal's
head look short and thick.
NOSE BAND.
Not as they were used in days past, _attached_ to bridle, but
_separate_. 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.
CHIN STRAP.
Some imagine this is not an indispensable thing to a bridle, either in
hunting or hacking, _but it is_, more especially in _Pelham'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.
THE EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL.
(_Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert._)
BY S. C. WAITE, ESQ.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
Standard.
Mr. Waite's book will put _every one_, who shall obey its instructions,
in the way of riding _well_; 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 the _experienced_ horseman will find in it _valuable_
information.
Morning Advertiser.
This work reflects high credit on Mr. Waite for its practical lucidity,
and the pleasing manner in which the instructions are imparted. His
directions for _curing_ the acquired _bad_ habits 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, the _best_ method 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 hints
_invaluable, not only to the fair sex, but to those who may have to
instruct them in the graceful art of Equitation_.
Morning Chronicle.
In bringing 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 accomplished professor 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, an _experienced professor_ of the art, has given us a
hand-book, _in which_ will 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 of _great
value_ to him.
Observer.
This work is _evidently_ the production of one who has acquired a
_thorough_ acquaintance with the subject, and who, moreover, possesses
the _rare advantage_ of communicating his instructions in a manner
peculiarly _ample_ and _clear_. We have seen _no_ other work in which
such a variety of information on the subject is embraced. The advice to
ladies is most valuable.
MR. S. C. WAITE,
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.--(Vide _Opinions of the Press, April, 1850._)
Mr. Waite has 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,
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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
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To be had in pots at 3_s._, 5_s._, 8_s._, and 17_s._ 6_d._, and in 8lb.
canisters for hounds after mange, &c., &c., at L4. 4_s._
TESTIMONIALS.
_From_ DR. BUNTING, _the great American Horse Tamer and Breaker_.
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, in _numerous_ cases of
valuable horses, and in _no instance_ has 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._
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 its
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I remain, Sir,
Yours obediently,
To S. C. WAITE, Esq., HENRY HURST.
_Brompton._
ROBERT HARDWICKE, PRINTER, 192, PICCADILLY.
Transcriber's Note
The following typographical errors were corrected.
Page Error
37 mettle some changed to mettlesome
51 that a gentleman changed to that of a gentleman