THE AIDS. 57 



Undoubtedly the best method a beginner can follow in 

 "acquiring the scientific application of the various "aids" 

 of hand and leg is to join a military school. There, 

 in that sequence of mounted movements known as the 

 " single ride " he will, with attention, soon learn every variety 

 of turn, inclination, and pace. He will there be taught that 

 the simultaneous application of hand and leg is the ground- 

 work of good horsemanship. The leg pressure must not be 

 a heavy clinging of the Umb, or a clumsy kick in the ribs 

 from the heel, but an elastic pressure or " feel " of the 

 muscles. The movement of the hand, though almost imper- 

 ceptible to the spectator, must communicate itself distinctly 

 to the bars of the horse's mouth. The great skill of a horse- 

 man in the management of the bridle hand consists in not 

 making the bit to be felt too severely, and in moderating its 

 effect by the mildness and pliability of the hand; or, in 

 other words, in not employing more strength than the horse 

 actually requires, and in checking or yielding by degrees, 

 but never harshly or suddenly. The effect of the rein on 

 the bit should be lively and certain. Under no circum- 

 stances must the rider contract the habit of ^' riding in the 

 horse's mouth," or, more plainly^ that of seeking support 

 and balance from the bridle. The pressure on the bit 

 should be just sufficient to give a steady and graceful 

 carriage to the horse's head. In order to secure exactitude 

 of bit action, the reins must be held of the same length, the 

 cannons of the mouth-piece exercising, to an ounce, the 

 same pressure. Nothing irritates, in the first place, a 

 horse's mouth so much as constant dead pressure upon it ; 

 and the irritation in time begets callousness. 



;Most horses, if carefully taught, in obedience to the will 

 of the rider, signalled by leg pressure and the attitude he 

 assumes, respond at once by breaking into any pace and 



