THE BAEB AND THE BRIDLE. 39 



severely. There must therefore be plenty of wear and tear in the 

 right place — great strength in the loins, a back not too short, aided by 

 strong and well-arched back ribs, which are at the same time not too 

 closely locked up. 



The Arab horse proper, despite his great capability of endurance, 

 his symmetrical contour and extraordinary sagacity, is still a trying 

 mount for a lady unaccustomed to him. With great power in his 

 hind quarters (as a rule), he is short in the back, low and short in 

 front of the saddle. The consequence is that from his powerful 

 back action, he pitches too much in his collected paces to ride 

 ~ pleasantly to a woman, although when striding away at top speed he 

 is easy enough. 



On the other hand, the English horse that possesses length enough 

 to enable him to travel easily under the fair equestrian too often has 

 the length in the wrong place, and cannot stay — a defect fatal 

 to enjoyable riding for a lady, at all events in the hunting field. 



It is to the admixture of Eastern and Western blood, therefore, 

 that one has to look for symmetry of topping conjoined to length in 

 the right place, power, and substance. 



I now proceed to say a few words as to the " aids " to be em- 

 ployed to put the horse in motion. In order to impress these 

 thoroughly upon the memory of the fair tyro, the preceptor should 

 adopt a form of question and answer to the following effect : 



Q. What are the aids to make a horse walk ? — A. A pressure of 

 the leg to his side, at the same time easing the hand. 



Q. How is the hand to be eased ? — A. From the vmst ; the arm 

 being kept perfectly steady, and the little finger yielding towards the 

 horse's neck. 



Q. How many lines of action should the little finger of the bridle 

 hand move on ? — A. Four. First, towards the waist ; second, 

 towards the horse's neck ; third, towards the right shoulder ; fourth, 

 towards the left. 



Q. What are the objects of these motions? — A. First, to collect, 

 halt, or rein back the horse. Second, to give him facihty of moving 

 forward. Third, to turn him to the left. Fourth, to turn him to the 

 jight. The upper part of the rider's figure to be slightly turned 



