PART II. 



The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse. — Old Pkoverb. 



"FIRST LESSONS." 



Horseback exercise is the physician's prescription to a patient whose 

 general derangement of stomach, liver, and skin, not to mention brain, has 

 been brought about by sedentary and mental exhaustive pursuits. To the 

 pupil commencing to ride, two grand rules must be constantly obeyed, first, 

 the avoidance of fatigue; second, the recognition of amusement in con- 

 nection with the lessons, which must be conducted according to the ph3^sical 

 capabilities of the individual. 



Boys learn to ride anywhere, or on any sort of an animal ; but the 

 person who has not ridden since his youth, distant a quarter of a century, 

 cannot expect to do the same. 



A little preparatory training, carefully conducted, will do much towards 

 rendering the first riding lesson easy. A mild course of gymnastics such 

 as the dumb-bells, not being too heavy, will give a compulsory, firm position 

 to the lower half of the body, while the upper half is actively employed. 

 Now that is exact! 1/ what is needful for a horseman — that the lower limbs 

 should be attached to the horse, like a centaur, and his trunk well balanced 

 and flexible. 



When a grown man, after the time his bones are set and his muscles 

 assume new duties with difficulty, takes to riding either as a remedy for 

 indisposition of body or mind, or as an amusement, he should avail himself 

 of the saddle which will help him most, giving him a comfortable, secure, 

 and upright seat, no chafing, and easy to retain under difficulties. This is 

 our Gladstone saddle, designed by us, and made by the best English saddlers 

 for our establishment only. It is used even by practised horsemen, Avhose 

 muscles are less strong and nerves less steady than in the days of their youth. 



