Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1894 — HORSEMANSHIP IN THE PARLOR. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HORSEMANSHIP IN THE PARLOR.

This Horse Isn’t Alive, bnt He Can Canter and Gallop. A remarkable invention to enable people to get a good imitation of horseback riding in their own homes is displayed in London, according to the Westminster Budget. It is called the “Hercules horse-action saddle.” It consists of a series of four platforms, one above the other. Each has several helical springs, which are adjusted according to their positions for best taking up the strain they will respectively have to sustain from the changing movement of the rider. On the top of all is z a saddle secured to a steel spindle. The ends of the spindle are carried through two vertical slots, in which they are free to move up and down. All the mechanical apparatus is inclosed within a mahogany frame, which looks like a small dinner wagon, about thirty inches in length and breadth, and about four feet high. On each side of the frame is a footboard, and in front is an iron handle, something like that of a cycle, but fixed. The “horse” may be mounted by placing one foot on the footboard and throwing the other over the saddle. The action of the legs as in ris-

ing In the stirrup releases the pressure on the spring, and the saddle moves up and down as on a living horse. By gripping the knees tightly to the saddle or by the motion of the arms on the handle, the action of a horse, from a gentle canter to a hard gallop, can be Imitated.

A MECHANICAL HORSE.