S2 RIDING FOR LADIES. 



A little tincture of myrrh with eau-de-cologne applied with the 

 fore finger will soon allay the irritation and remove the tender- 

 ness. 



The best way to insert the bit is, having fixed the near 

 ring to the spring hook or strap on the near side of the head- 

 collar, then coming round to the off side of the head, gentling 

 the pony's head all the time and soothing him, to quietly work 

 the two fore fingers of the left hand into his mouth, and on an 

 opportunity offering, to slip the bit quickly into the mouth. 

 This must be done deftly, without alarming the pony, for if the 

 first attempt result in failure he is certain to throw up his head, 

 run back, and otherwise thwart subsequent endeavours. A 

 little treacle smeared on the bit will make it more palatable and 

 inviting. The first time the bit is in the colt's mouth it should 

 not be allowed to remain more than an hour, and his head must 

 be entirely without restraint. On removing it examine the 

 mouth to see that it has not been injured or bruised, and give 

 him a carrot, or apple. It is immaterial whether these bitting 

 lessons be given in a roomy loose-box, barn, covered-yard^ or 

 small paddock. 



After becoming reconciled to the bit, strap on a roller or 

 surcingle, having two side and one top ring stitched on to it, 

 the side rings being placed horizontally about where the rider's 

 knees would come, that on the top fore-and-aft. Through 

 these three rings a strong cord should be run forming a sort of 

 running rein, tie the cord to the off-ring of the snaffle, bring 

 it back through the off-side ring, up and through the top ring 

 on the back, down through that on the near side, and so on for- 

 ward to the near ring of the bit to which it is fastened with a 

 slip knot, taking care that though a slight bearing be upon the 

 bars of the mouth, the colt's head is not tightly reined in and an 

 irksome continuous strain kept on a certain set of muscles of 

 the neck. This running-rein arrangment admits of lateral play 

 of the head, and minimizes the possibility of creating a one- 

 sided mouth. 



After a few short lessons in lounging on both sides with 

 his head thus restrained, he may be made to stand in stall 

 with his hindquarters to the manger, the reins being fastened 

 to the post on either side. If the stall, as probably will be 

 the case, be too wide, narrow it by placing sheep hurdles laced 

 with straw on either side of him, so narrowing his standing 

 room that he must preserve a fair " fore and aft " position. 

 The reins must be, if the pillars are too high, fastened to the 

 three rings on the surcingle as explained above. In addition 



