Jane McDaid wrote:
>
> At 09:42 PM 4/11/98 -0500, Bob Nogueira wrote:
> >-- [ From: Bob Nogueira * EMC.Ver #3.1a ] --
>
> >While on the topic of left side and right side, could one of the Brits on
> >the list please advise me as to which is the 'near' side and the 'off' side
> >?
> >
> >Anyone know the origin of those terms?
>
> These terms refer to the traditional way of mounting a horse, always done
> from the left or near side. The right side, of course is the off side, but
> not because one dismounts to the right. One dismounts to the left, off the
> near side. "Off" is used as a synonym for away, or distant.
>
> The non-traditional method of mounting a horse by vaulting aboard from
> behind is about as safe as leaping into your Morgan from a second story
> window, particularly if the horse startles when the vaulter's hands hit the
> beast's rump.
>
> I thought horse knowledge was ingrained in all Texans? Or is it just horse
> sense?
>
> Regards.
>
> Jerry Murphy
> '67 +4
Jerry & Bob,
In some circles (e.g. racetracks), dismounting is also sometimes done
by "wheeling" (slinging the off/right leg over the horses neck). Fast &
flashy, but risky--especially with Thoroughbreds. And in my sometimes
painful experience, "off" was most often more of an action verb (or a
status) than an adjective.
Michael Jhon
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