172 Modern Riding and Horse Education 



work without stirrups ; this is easy enough when two 

 or three men are under instruction, but presents diffi- 

 culties with a single learner and a limited stud. If 

 riding is acquired on one horse only, the instructor 

 must not expect his pupil to show anything like the 

 same proficiency the first time he gets on to another 

 one. 



The necessary intervals for rest should not be 

 wasted; the points of a horse, his simple ailments, 

 and horsemastership, are very important parts of 

 any horseman's education, and are too often neg- 

 lected. The sportsman's pleasure depends upon his 

 possessing a sufficient knowledge of these subjects; 

 and as far as the soldier is concerned, the latest 

 quick-firing gun is useless unless it can be brought 

 into action at the required moment; very little in- 

 formation is to be obtained from mounted scouts if 

 their horses cannot travel; wide strategic move- 

 ments by cavalry cannot be thought of, nor the army 

 in the field properly fed, without continual and 

 tireless care of the horse. The army with the fittest 

 horses at the outbreak of hostilities has a great in- 

 itial advantage, and, providing that the officers and 

 men are well versed in their care and management, 



