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CHAPTER IX. 



RIDING WITHOUT REINS. 



A PERSON who begins in the ordinary way to learn to ride, 

 is hampered by the fact that he has simultaneously to attempt 

 two tasks, one of which (managing the horse) cannot be 

 performed until he attains proficiency in the other (sticking 

 on). Besides, until his seat becomes secure, he will neces- 

 sarily pull his horse's mouth about, and will consequently 

 spoil it to a greater or less extent. Therefore it would 

 be best for the beginner to learn on a thoroughly steady 

 school horse, which is accustomed to having liberties taken 

 with its mouth. A plain, unjointed thick snaffle is the 

 best for use at this stage. If he commences his lessons in 

 the open and does not want to risk an accident, he will 

 have at first to be led about by a man either on foot or 

 horseback, unless the animal is of an angelic disposition. 

 Control over a horse is much easier obtained in a manege 

 than outside, but the use of a riding school is seldom pro- 

 curable, and even in it one must know how to apply the 

 control before one can take advantage of it. With a 

 beginner, there is the difficulty of getting him to alter his 

 animal's paces, in the manner required, unless his mentor 

 is mounted and is leading him, which is an awkward arrange- 

 ment that requires the services of two horses. All these 

 inconveniences can be easily overcome by the adoption of the 

 long reins method, which I have been the first to apply to 

 the teaching of riding. Its great advantage is that it gives 



