22 HORSES 



excellent place to show a boy how to sit in the 

 saddle. If he starts riding at once, his sole idea is 

 sticking to the saddle, and any hints that may be 

 given then will be entirely unheeded. 



There is of course a wide difference between a 

 horse standing still and one in motion, but a boy 

 will gain a familiarity with the saddle, and, not 

 being afraid of falling off, will be able to give his 

 whole attention to his instructor. It is very im- 

 portant to get into the habit of sitting in the right 

 position, and once acquired it will come naturally 

 afterwards. 



Boys should never use spurs, but if they want to 

 wear them, thinking to improve the appearance of a 

 boot, the rowels should always be removed. Nine 

 out of ten grown-up people do not know how to 

 use them, or use them at the wrong time. More 

 accidents occur and more horses run away from 

 the use of spurs than from any other cause. I 

 have often seen a man, who has been shaken from 

 the centre of the saddle in going over a jump, 

 sawing at his horse's mouth, and vainly endeavour- 

 ing to stop it, whilst all the time the spurs were 

 scoring the poor brute's sides, and driving it to 

 madness. 



There is a wide divergence of opinion as to the 

 merits of the best safety-stirrup, but for a boy who 

 is learning to ride I think there is nothing better 

 than the old-fashioned boot-stirrup. With this it 

 is impossible to get hung up, and, as the foot 

 cannot enter more than a certain distance, the 



