LEARNING TO RIDE. 33 



will he learn it practically. I may divide bad riders 

 into two classes : the one hang on to the reins and 

 let the horse pull them along ; while the others sit 

 on their mount as if he wxre a kind of locomotive, and 

 use the reins merely to guide and restrain him. The 

 horseman, on the contrary, makes himself a part of the 

 animal he bestrides, by conforming to his movements, 

 and, thereby, assists in maintaining the natural equi- 

 librium of the animal's body. It is most instructive to 

 note these differences. When alluding to military riding, 

 I, of course, refer to " school " practice, as I am well 

 aware that the men of some of our smartest cavalry 

 regiments are taught to take up, when occasion requires, 

 the snaffle reins, and to ride in our English hunting style, 

 the merits of which I am here advocating. 



Beyond saying that the rider should have a good 

 hold of the reins, keep his legs close to the horse's 

 sides, so as to make him go up to his bridle, maintain a 

 proper seat in the saddle, be patient and gentle with his 

 animal, conform to his movements, and turn with him as 

 he turns, so that the rider may be part and parcel of his 

 horse, and not be carried as an inert burden — I have 

 nothing more to add respecting the mere act of riding, 

 which is essentially a practical one. 



D 



