OUGHT CHILDREN TO RIDE? 



comfortably cold, When, therefore, I begin my subject, I 

 shall suppose that you are a novice, with but a very shadowy 

 idea of the subject on which you wish to be enlightened ; 

 but when I say "novice," I do not necessarily mean a child. 

 Indeed, I hope that you are not one, for it is widely known 

 that I object very strongly to children riding, my reasons 

 for doing so being founded on the surest and most 

 common-sense principles. The point is one which has of 

 late years led me into discussions with very many high- 

 class authorities on equitation, but I have never for a 

 moment swerved from my fixed opinions, and many of my 

 keenest opponents have, from time to time, ranged them- 

 selves on my side. 



It is indeed a matter of surprise to me that anybody 

 possessed of even moderate reasoning capacity can 

 advocate infantile equestrianism. The two arguments 

 which defenders of it make their strong points, namely, 

 that it is " splendid exercise," and that it imparts a courage 

 which is beneficial in after life, can, while admitted, be 

 counterbalanced by so many genuine drawbacks and 

 objections, that their boasted efficacy runs considerable risk 

 of being regarded as a thing of nought. Before, however, 

 dealing with the con's of the case, let us take up the pro's in 

 rotation. It is splendid exercise. Granted ; but rolling 

 hoop is quite as good, while ball-playing, tennis, badminton, 

 and every other game that sets the blood in motion and 

 calls the muscles into active play, may be styled equally 

 beneficial. All the advantages which are derivable from 

 exercise — and they are many — can be had without riding ; 



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