26 THE HORSEMAN'S MANUAL. 



Lesson I* 



We will now suppose that the colt begins to understand, 

 from his previous lessons, what is wanted from him, in re- 

 gard to being mounted and dismounted ; that he leads pretty 

 well round the circle ; that the rider can manage him with- 

 out much assistance from the longeing rein; and that the 

 man holding it, can trust him with sufficient length of rein 

 to form a large circle, the one with the whip still following 

 him round, but leaving him as much as possible to the rider, 

 who should be very attentive in the application of his hands 

 and legs. If the colt is strong, he should urge him to trot a 

 few times round the circle, to the hand the man with the 

 rein is leading him, then pull him up quietly to the walk : 

 and after he has walked for a short time, halt him and 

 change the rein, and work him in like manner to the other 

 hand ; day by day increasing his lesson, according to his 

 strength and capability, encouraging him for every act of 

 compliance. Thus, in a short time, he will allow his rider 

 to mount, and move him on without assistance. All that 

 must be expected from him at first is, that he should walk 

 well, and that to his front, to which the rider must pay great 

 attention, by an equal feeling of the reins, and the pressure 

 of his legs. 



Having gone through his lesson quietly, he should be 

 halted square to the front. The rider should then dismount, 

 rein him back a few steps, and dismiss him. 



Should the instructor at any time feel annoyed and irri- 

 tated at the little progress his pupil makes, let him reflect 

 that he has a young and irrational animal to deal with, and 

 remember how much patience he himself required, and how 

 many blunders he made, in acquiring the simplest rudiments 

 of learning. If he applies this reflection, as a man of good 

 feeling ought, he will make allowances for the colt's dullness, 

 and the trouble he gives him, and will endeavour to gain 



