TEACHING THE YOUNG IDEA. 



107 



lutely do away with, the possibiUty of injury to the spine. 

 Pads for boys give the pony a too great width of back, they 

 do not give so correct and firm a seat as the cross saddle, 

 and are not nearly so easy to sit 

 on. I recommend a light racing 

 saddle, without knee rolls, made 

 of fast-dyed drab or brown buck- 

 skin, as more clinging than pig- 

 skin. It should be fitted with Ds 

 in front, to which may be strapped 

 a neatly rolled blanket about three 

 or four inches in diameter coming 

 down to the child's knees. This will 

 give confidence and prevent falls. 



To commence with, no stirrups should be allowed to 

 either sex, and for some time at least girls, appropriately 

 dressed, should ride on 

 the cross saddle entirely. 

 The reader is referred 

 to my remarks on this 

 system in the com- 

 panion, volume for 

 ladies. Some children 

 take to riding like 

 young ducks to water. 

 All, more or less, have 

 an aversion to lessons 

 or to anything in the 

 form of tuition. Born 

 with a full wide stream 

 of original sin pulsing in their veins their desire to do 

 those things which they ought not to do, and not to 

 do those things which they ought to do is very strong. 



