LESSONS IN RIDING 377 



beginning to do so in good time, say about two horse's lengths 

 before he comes to the corner. 



LESSON VI 



If the progress has been satisfactory, the pace during this 

 lesson may be increased, though not hurried, and the incline tried 

 at a trot. The pupil may also, while riding without stirrups, be 

 encouraged to trot once or twice round the school without 

 them, of course going back to the slow trot while this part of 

 the lesson lasts. He must not be allowed to hold on by the 

 horse's mouth, but trust to his balance and the grip of the knee 

 and thigh, getting his thigh well down into the saddle, but 

 without leaning forward, keeping the body supple and the 

 hands steady. A little of this goes a long way ; about twice 

 round will be enough at first ; then sit at ease and take the 

 stirrups again, and before the end of the lesson put the stirrups 

 up again, and try a couple or three times round without them 

 on the other rein. The lesson should now last about an hour, 

 but it must be left to the discretion of the instructor to make it 

 a little shorter if the pupil is not strong or if he is fatigued. 



LESSON VII 



Continue, as in the previous lessons, to work for steadiness, 

 about a quarter of an hour in the middle of the lesson being 

 without stirrups ; as the seat gets steadier the pupil will not 

 grow tired so soon, and may trot a little longer at a time with- 

 out them. It will very likely be found that, after riding without 

 stirrups, on taking them again they will be too short and may 

 want letting down a hole, but care must be exercised at the same 

 time not to get them too long, or else the body will go too much 

 forward and he will get off his seat on to his fork. Particular 

 attention must still be paid to the position of the body, hands, 

 and legs ; also to keeping the feet properly placed in the stirrups, 

 and to regularity of pace. 



The pupil should also still be practised in making a few turns 



