HORSEMANSHIP. Throughout history the art of managing the horse and riding on his back has ranked high among useful and graceful accomplishments. According to Cresar and Livy, the Numidians and Mauritanians rode their horses without either bit or saddle, and guided them solely by using a small switch; which was applied to either side of the neck, according as they wished to turn. The Persians trained their horses to kneel to receive their riders, and were the first to introduce saddles. Saddles of a similar shape to those now in use were not known till the 14th c., and side-saddles were introduced about 1388. Stirrups were used in the 5th c., but were not common even in the 12th.
The two essentials for riding are a firm seat and a light hand, as without a combina tion of the two no one can become a good horseman. In every description of riding, the light delicate "hand," just feeling the mouth of the horse, and playing the bit in accordance with hi3 movement, will insure success; and it is to delicacy of wrist that we must attribute the case and skill with which ladies often ride the most high spirited animals, which, in rougher hands, would be unmanageable.
The first lesson in horsemanship is to learn to mount safely and easily; and the ordinary and on the whole least objectionable way is as follows: Stand at the shoulder of the horse, looking towards his tail, and taking the reins in the right hand, divide theca by tke middle-finger of the left till you feel the horse's mouth; then take bold with the left hand of a lock of the mane, lift the left foot into the stirrup, and using the mane as a slight hold, spring into the air, taking hold of the back of the saddle to assist in getting the right leg easily over the-horse, steadying the fall of the body by the right hand on the pommel, and then arranging the stirrups. In dismounting, exactly the reverse of this process is followed, or both feet may be disengaged from the stirrups at once, and the rider may vault from the saddle to the ground with greater rapidity, and less risk of falling if the horse chance to move on.
There are four different styles of riding practiced among modern civilized nations— viz., the military, road, bunting, and racing styles. The military style differs in many particulars from the others, as, owing to the long stirrups used, the soldier is obliged to sit well down in his saddle, with his body erect, the seat being preserved more by bal ance than by a tight hold by the leg or thigh.
In the seat for road-riding, the stirrups are arranged at such a length that when the feet are hanging loose, they shall just touch the anklebone, and the rider usually inserts the feet only as far as the "ball" of the foot. In riding, have the horse well in hand, to assist in supporting him, in case of stumbling; the seat firm, to be secure in case of shying; and a knowledge of handling the Sridle, to insure a quick and ready response.
In hunting, a much firmer seat is necessary; the stirrup-leathers arc about two holes shorter, the feet pressed "home" in the stirrups, which otherwise would be apt to be lost in jumping; the leg from thigh to the knee well forward, and nearly at right angles to the upper part of the body as inclined forward; the legs perpendicular, the heel well down, mud the toe pointing nearly straightforward. " seat " the hunter has in common with all equestrian nations, as the Arabs, Tartars, Persians, Egyptians, Cos sacks, Magyars, and Circassians, the last mentioned nation carrying it to such an extreme that the leg assumes the form of the letter V, with the knee for the apex. In riding at a fence, " collect " the horse into the pace at which he goes with most ease to himself; keep him straight at the fence till he rises; "ease" his mouth by leaning forward; take especial cam not to confine it when he is making his effort, or you will pull him into the fence as he descends; lean well back iu the saddle, and gently take hold of his • mouth to support him on landing. Do not gallop' with a loose rein (excepting down hill, when the horse requires his head free), for the horse will go with a straggling pace, which is very undesirable. For racing, the essentials are a good and powerful seat, t good "bands," a great knowledge of pace, and quickness to take advantage of any • chances of success. The jockey's seat is peculiar, as his object is to give as much ease as possible to his horse. Ile rides very much forward, frequently standing iu the stir rups, and regulating his pull at his horse according to his orders.
As the strongest part of a horse, and also the center of action, is situated at a point just behind his shoulder-blades, the nearer we can ride to this -the better. and riding rather forward in the saddle is a relief to the horse, while leaning back, as it bears upon his loins—his weakest part—is a cause of fatigue. The grip in riding should be obtained by the knee, the thighs and the calves slightly. The thigh is the most essential part of a good and strong seat. Few riders whose thighs are short and rotund, have a good seat; while, on the other hand, jockeys and tall thin men, whose thighs are long, and more or less hollowed on the under side, are generally very firm.
No one can pretend to horsemanship without a knowledge of the proper action for emergencies. If a horse runs away, do not exhaust yourself by vain pulling, but guide him out of danger, and let him run till he is tired. A Buceplialus noseband is a great security against bolting. If a horse rears, loosen the reins, and lean forward: in hunt ing, the "art of falling" consists in getting clear of your horse. In case of a horse kicking, keep his head up as much as possible, and sit firm in the saddle.