The Two Principal Rules in Horse Back Riding

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1st. Carrying the hand which holds the reins advanced forward from the body, so that the reins may be pulled up promptly. 2d. Have the stirrup strap of such length as to bring the sole of the boot just level. The surest sign of an inexperienced rider is the carrying of the rein hand against the body. It of course precludes the possibility of exerting any control over the motions of the horse. The hand should not be carried too far forward, buf extended in tin easy position, with the reins grasped firmly. The most common cause of awkward riding is having the stirrup strap too long; this strains the leg down in an uncomfortable position, producing that terribic pam in the groin po often experienced, and it causes the stirrup to slip from the toe up over the instep The strap, however, should not be so short us ic turn the toe up and cause the stirrup to slip from the foot, but just right to support the leg easily and bring tlie toe and heel to the same level. These rules are drawn from thirty years experience and thousands of miles of horseback riding.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 3 Issue 25newThis article was published with the title “The Two Principal Rules in Horse Back Riding” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 3 No. 25new (), p. 385
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican12151860-385b

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