IOO 



ing could, for the sum of a couple of dollars, enlarge this last picture to 

 a big wall chart, which would make one of your most effective points. 



In conclusion let me say that I heartily congratulate you on having 

 aken up so important a -work. 



Yours Truly, 



ROBT. L. DICKINSON, 

 (Dictated.) 



Mrs, Col. Morton, of Roseville, N. J., says : "Being much interested 

 in the topic now being so intelligently and widely discussed, may I 

 kindly be permitted to give my personal views regarding 'which is the 

 best -way for woman to ride horseback ? ' I find from my own ex- 

 perience and that of my daughter, both being fond of the horse and the 

 exercise of riding in. the saddle, almost daily, that the use of the side-sad- 

 dle for woman should be entirely relegated to the archives of the past, 

 and the stride, or gentleman's saddle, absolutely adopted by all -women 

 riders, providing their health is of any consequence to them, this being, 

 as I view it, the valued desideratum. Some of the most eminent medical 

 doctors of Kngland are now vigorously advocating the man's saddle, or 

 striding the horse for -women riders, and certainly this important fact 

 should be favorably entertained, from a scientific point of view, if 

 from no other, inasmuch as medical men's opinions regarding that which 

 conduces most to our health should be considered authoritative at least. 



"I find myself much improved in health, also my daughter, from 

 having some time ago adopted the new departure and method of striding 

 the horse. You can ride -with better facility and unquestionably with 

 greater safety. On the other hand, in riding in the sidesaddle, you not 

 only contort the body to your great discomfort, injure your horse by 

 afflicting too much weight upon his side, but you also, in ease of an 

 accident, should you fall or be thrown from the sidesaddle, jeopardize 

 life by not being enabled to expeditiously extricate yourself from your 

 side seat and stirrup, -where, on the other hand, were you seated astride 

 your horse and an accident were to occur, you have so much better an 

 opportunity to command your horse and dismount, havmg so much 

 better control of both limbs. I do not -wish to be thought 'conceited in 

 stating tne fact, after having acquired the tuition of riding astride my 

 horse, of being the first lady to introduce the same here in Roseville, N. 

 J. , o:\ our beautiful suburban drives. I would sincerely and earnestly 

 suggest to all women riders to adopt without delay riding astride the 

 horse. 

 Ro eville, N. J. MRS. COL MORTON. 



Personally I have no reason to advocate riding astride or to de_ 

 noanoe the use of the side saddle particularly if -women are properly 

 taught and prevented from injuring themselves by rigid and unnatura 

 position and unnecessary effort. 



