LESSONS IN RIDING 385, 



an hour without stirrups. While rising, it must be particularly 

 noticed that he does not pull himself up by his horse's mouth,, 

 as a great many beginners (and also plenty of people wha 

 can hardly be called beginners) are very apt to do. Rather, 

 if he must have something to help by his hands, let him start 

 with the mane or front of the saddle, and when he has got the 

 motion and time leave go and try to keep them without. Of 

 course it is to be understood that he is not to be turned or 

 circled during this part of the lesson. He will do very well to 

 go straightforward and keep the time and motion with the 

 pace of the horse. 



LESSON XVIII 



Persevere with the previous lessons, especially rising in the 

 stirrups. If the pupil can do it fairly well, get him to sit still 

 now and again while the horse is trotting, and while doing so 

 correct the position of the seat if necessary, and then let him 

 rise again without bringing the horse to a walk. Also, after 

 cantering once or twice round the house, give the word ' Trot ! ' 

 and as soon as the horse settles quietly at a trot, make the 

 pupil rise in the stirrups and then ' walk,' ' halt,' and ' sit at ease/ 

 giving the horse his head. While sitting at ease the time may 

 be profitably used by the instructor in talking to his pupil, tell- 

 ing him what he would have to do under different circumstances, 

 as for instance, that in case his horse rears, he is to give him 

 his head and lean his body forward to avoid pulling him over, 

 or that if he is inclined to kick, he should lean his body back 

 and raise his hands a little so as to keep the horse's head up and 

 attract his attention by moving the snaffle lightly across the 

 bars of the mouth ; in fact, he can nearly always find some- 

 thing to tell him, as for instance about awkward positions he 

 himself has been placed in, and how he got out of them. This 

 sort of thing is always interesting to a beginner, and. if he 

 remembers it may some day be of service to him after he has; 

 taken to riding by himself. 



c c 



