128 IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 



reins, for if, by any mischance, your horse should 

 start quickly, you will need it. Forward, ladies, 

 forward ! Don't stop in the corners ! Use 

 your whips a very little, just as you begin to 

 turn ! Miss Esmeralda, keep to the wall ! No, 

 no ! Don't keep to the wall by having your 

 left rein shorter than your right ! They should 

 be precisely even." 



"As you approach the corner," says the 

 other teacher quietly, speaking to you alone, 

 "carry your right hand a little nearer to your 

 left without bending your wrist, so that your 

 rein will just touch your horse's neck on the 

 right side. That will keep his head straight." 



"But he seems determined to go to the 

 right," you object. 



"That is because your right rein is too short 

 now. While we are going down the long side 

 of the school, make the reins precisely even. 

 Now, lay the right rein on his neck, use your 

 whip and touch him with your heel to make 

 him go on ; bend your right wrist to turn him, 

 use your whip once more, and go on again ! " 



" Forward, Miss Esmeralda, forward ! " cries 

 the other teacher. 



