88 THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 



practice, can learn to count the time of her horse's canter to herself, 

 and regulate the action of her hand accordingly. 



The pupil must throw plenty of life into her riding, and, while 

 she sits easily and flexibly as regards her whole figure on the saddle, 

 should keep the horse equally upon his mettle. In a riding school 

 he requires more calling upon than when out of doors, and more 

 *' pressing up," as it is technically called ; but when once the rider 

 has him going, well balanced, and bending nicely, the great thing 

 is to " let well alone," and not ask too much, by which she would 

 only fret and upset him. In bringing the horse to the walk, the 

 . pupil should be cautioned to feel him up very gradually, avoiding 

 any sudden jerk on his mouth. The gradual stronger feeling for 

 two or three strides, of the taking action of the hand, followed by a 

 much slighter giving of the reins, will bring the horse smoothly to 

 the walk. The body of the rider should be inclined slightly back 

 from the perpendicular. 



When the lady has acquired ease and freedom in riding on the 

 curb, the turn, circles, "half passage " and change may be practised, 

 close attention being given that the aids are applied smoothly and 

 quietly. 



After a few such lessons, the pupil may commence riding with 

 the left hand entirely unassisted by the right. For this purpose it is 

 necessary first to carry that portion of the reins held in the right 

 hand over the middle joint of the fore finger of the left ; close the 

 thumb firmly down on them, and drop the slack of the rein to the off 

 side of the saddle near the horse's shoulder. 



The give-and-take action must at first be from the wrist only, 

 the arm being kept firm, and the hand opposite the centre of the 

 body. 



For a time this will be a little diflicult, especially in turning, when 

 the rider has only the motion of the little finger to depend upon for 

 the action of the bit in the horse's mouth ; but by supporting the 

 horse well with the leg and whip, she will find that he will presently 

 answer readily to her aids. In turning to the right, the hand must 

 be turned with the knuckles up, and the little finger down towards 

 the left shoulder, the wliip pressed to the horse's side, and the leg 



