RIDING AND DRIVING 95 



he does it, but the adult must apply great patience 

 and determination to overcome his fear of the 

 strange position. 



The bravest man, if unable to swim and thrown 

 into the water, or put in the saddle for the first 

 time, would show signs of fear. You ought there- 

 fore never to jeer at others for their evident 

 nervousness in doing what may seem easy to you. 

 In some other emergency they are likely to show 

 greater bravery than you, and if it came to a tight 

 place would save the situation by presence of mind 

 where you might fail. Never put any one down as 

 a funk because he fears a thing you do not. Some 

 day you will meet something that frightens you, 

 and then you will feel sorry for having laughed at 

 that other man. 



The natural fear we have of being on horseback is 

 the first thing to be overcome, and the only way to 

 gain confidence is to ride an animal that is absolutely 

 quiet. When that confidence has once become 

 hrmly established you are on the high-road to make 

 a good rider. Whether it is for the boy or the man 

 of mature years who is beginning to ride, a horse 

 should be selected that requires kicking along, and 

 one that will not misbehave itself in any contin- 

 gency which may arise. The steed that is eager to 

 go and wants controlling, absorbs all the tyro's 

 attention, so that he has no thought to spare for 

 his seat, and will never reach the happy state of 

 mind which is born of perfect confidence. 



A riding-school is undoubtedly the best place for 



