52 THE BARB AND THE B I? IDLE. 



the stirrup, the pupil \n\\ find her work still easier than when the- 

 horse was at a standstill. 



The instructor should now count his "one," "two," in different 

 times, allowing a longer or shorter interval between each word, 

 according to whether he means to convey to the pupil the notion of 

 quick sharp action in the horse, or long dwelling action. Thus, when 

 the horse trots, he wiU be able to count his time in exact accordance 

 with the animal's movements. Be the time quick or slow that he 

 counts, he should exact rigid conformity of action in the pupil ; 

 because this harmony of motion to the counting is as important to 

 success in the riding master as it is to the music master. Time and 

 cadence in action are vital points in equitation. 



As soon as the instructor is satisfied that his pupil can easily 

 accommodate her action to his word, he should prepare to test both 

 in the trot. But if he takes a week to get the pupil to do the two 

 previous lessons (one of them even) properly, they should be con- 

 tinued until she does it; nobody can spell until he knows the 

 alphabet. 



To carry on the lesson in the trot, the instructor should mount a 

 cob or pony of such height as will admit of his easily placing his 

 left hand under the right elbow of the pupil. He should ride with 

 his reins in his right hand, and be sure that the horse he gets on is a 

 perfectly steady one. 



He should now put plenty of vivacity into his own manner ; he 

 will then easily impart it to his pupil and her horse. The latter 

 should be smartly "woke up "if at aU behind his work — pressed 

 up to the bridle with whip and leg, and " made ready" to increase 

 his pace at any moment. The master should then caution his pupil 

 that on the words " Prepare to trot," she should strengthen her. 

 grasp on the upper pommel, her pressure against the third crutch, 

 and well stretch down the left heel, while she carries back the left 

 leg, and inclines the body slightly forward from the waist, arms 

 very firm, fingers shut tight on the reins ; and while the body inchnes 

 forward there should be no outward or lateral curvature of the 

 spine, nor should the head be dropped. The shoulders pressed weU 

 back, and the hands close to the waist, will give firmness and 



