204 FIRST LESSONS IN RIDING. 



save his mouth as much as possible when conveying 

 her orders to him by means of the reins. When he 

 is going too fast, the warning word " steady " should 

 always accompany any restraining action of the reins, 

 until the horse is accustomed to his rider's handling, 

 when the pull may be taken in silence. As the voice 

 is a valuable "aid" in riding, I would strongly advise 

 the inexperienced horsewoman never to speak to her 

 horse when he is at work, except when giving him an 

 order. He will then be able to understand the mean- 

 ing of her words of command. Particular attention 

 should be paid to the observance of this rule, for a 

 lady who is incessantly talking to her horse, reproving 

 or caressing as the case may be, renders him more or 

 less indifferent to the voice as a means of control on an 

 emergency. After he has carried her well, a few pats 

 on the neck will establish a feeling of good fellow- 

 ship between horse and rider, and the animal will 

 always regard these caresses, and the kindly words 

 that accompany them, as a sure sign of his mistress's 

 approval. After she has dismounted she may "make 

 much" of him, but while on his back it is wiser to 

 reserve her voice for giving orders. A " funky " rider 

 as a rule keeps continually talking to her mount, and 

 the animal gets to know that she is nervous, and 

 soon becomes the master. A horse, like a domestic 

 servant, will not be obedient and respectful unless he 

 thoroughly understands that his first duty is to obey. 

 Neither a horse nor a servant who fails to recognise 

 this fact is worth his keep. Every girl who is learning 



