236 RIDING WITHOUT REINS. 



The lesson should be commenced by the driver 

 starting the horse into a steady walk, on a circle to the 

 right, as that will be easier than going to the left. 

 After a few circles, and when the rider has acquired 

 some confidence, the driver may give her the 

 "caution" that he is going to turn the horse, which 

 he does by turning him to the " left-about " by means 

 of the left rein, while " supporting" the hind quarters 

 by the right rein. After the required number of 

 circles has been made to the left, the caution may be 

 repeated, and a "right-about" turn done. When the 

 pupil has become sufficiently advanced, a steady trot 

 on the right circle may be attempted ; the turns being 

 executed as before. Subsequently, a canter may be 

 tried. As the rider gains expertness, the turns may be 

 made without giving any caution, and the sharpness 

 with which they are done may be gradually increased. 

 When the rider has acquired a good firm seat, she may 

 get a jumping lesson. The best kind of fence is a 

 round thick (at least 6 inches in diameter) log of 

 wood. It should be of good substance and weight, so 

 that, if the horse hits it once, he will not care to 

 repeat the experiment. It should be free from any 

 sharp points or edges that might blemish the animal, 

 if he " raps " it. This log should be at least 

 15 feet long, should have one end a little outside 

 the circumference of the circle on which the animal 

 works, and the other end pointing towards the 

 centre of the circle. The log, at each extremity, 

 may be propped up on empty wine or beer cases 



