152 Modern Riding and Horse Education 



Preliminary Exercises. 



" In all labor there is profit." Proverbs xiv. v. 23. 



The gripping exercises for beginning to de- 

 velop those muscles which are used in riding have 

 already received mention : I will merely state here 

 that they are invaluable as a preparation for riding 

 proper and save a good deal of time, as the novice 

 who has undergone them is physically able to apply 

 his legs to his horse to keep his seat, and is fitted 

 to undergo the fatigue of his lessons. 



The Strap ^ 



" Press not the falling man too far ! " — Shakespeare {Henry VIII.) 



If rapid progress is to be made the pupil must 

 feel as comfortable as possible under the circum- 

 stances, and be given confidence by avoidance of 

 falls. A saddle covered with buckskin increases the 

 friction between the leg and the flap, and if such a 

 saddle is available the instructor should make use 

 of it. The French have a saddle not unlike the 

 Australian buck-jumping one, into which they force 



* This appliance was suggested to me by Colonel Charles Long, 

 late R.H.A. 



