198 FIRST LESSONS IN RIDING. 



taking care to keep a good grip, incline her body 

 inward, and guide her horse with precision. The 

 circle, which should be large, may then be made to 

 the left, which will more strongly test the rider's seat, 

 and particularly her command of her right leg. If she 

 does not ride correctly, this circling should be stopped, 

 and the mistake rectified by more practice in a forward 

 direction. 



If a horse, during the trot, suddenly breaks off into 

 a canter, the rider should sit down in her saddle as in 

 the walk, and grip her crutches as may be required. 

 She should not be the least bit alarmed at this new 

 pace, supposing that she has not been taught to 

 canter, for all she will have to do will be to sit down 

 and allow her body to follow the movements of the 

 horse by the play of her hip joints, as explained in the 

 first lesson (p. 159). The lady who has practised 

 leaning back (p. 158) will be able almost at once 

 to adapt herself to the requirements of the canter ; but 

 as the trot is the subject of her study, the horse should 

 be instantly pulled up. In order to do this safely, she 

 should lean slightly back in her saddle, and stop him 

 gradually, employing her usual word of command, and, 

 while keeping her hands low down and well apart, 

 exert a firm and fixed pressure on the reins. The 

 rider must never allow herself, however disobedient 

 her mount may be, to "job " his mouth with the reins, 

 or to use them at any time as a means of punishment. 

 Also she must not try to pull him up suddenly, but 

 always gradually, in order that he may not strain the 



