CHAPTER VL 



HORSEMANSHIP. 



I. THE STRAIGHT LEG. 



The Seat. Among the Red Indians I have 

 known, the mounted people were the Blackfeet, 

 Stonies, Crees, Yakimas, Navajos, Moquis, and 

 a few tribes in Mexico. So far as I can learn 

 no Indian was ever taught to ride, or heard of 

 riding as an accomplishment to be learned. 

 The commonest equipment was a blanket and 

 surcingle ; but all the horse apparel used by- 

 white men was eagerly played for in the gam- 

 bhng games. The riding seemed to be natural, 

 with a perfection of grace one rarely sees among 

 white men. 



The man rode down to his crotch, yet the 

 forward slant of the thighs gave rest to the 

 pelvis bones upon the horse's back, while the 

 lower leg hung vertical and loose. 



At halt or walk the whole seat was loose, but 

 as the pace increased at trot or canter the 

 142 



