OR, The Turn Out. 93 



bability never will, get beyond the perfection of a walk ; their 

 sensible motto is discretion, and if a trot is ventured upon, 

 it is not taken advantage of in towns, but out in the country 

 where there is no fear of making an exhibition of them- 

 selves. This is sensible discretion ; but, the poor horse suffers 

 from being jolted and jerked, pulled and spurred by the 

 clumsy, awkward, and weighty rider. 



The amateur horseman, after be has got proficient in 

 mounting and dismounting, should learn to Wvalk the horse. 



In riding, the reins are taken the reverse way to driving, 

 viz. : from the top, and the fingers held down and kept 

 towards the centre of the body, neither up nor down, 

 and a little way from the body, in much the same position 

 as in driving. The mouth of the horse should be felt 

 lightly and regularly with the reins, and at all times 

 be kept well in hand ; the rider's elbows and toes should 

 be kept somewhat in, and heels down ; the head erect and 

 the back hollowed, but he is by no means to lean back- 

 ward ; a good grip of the saddle should be cultivated, 

 and the feeling to be cultivated and persisted in is one of 

 firmness, ease, freedom, and independence. 



In trotting, the horse must be allowed to start before the 

 rider, which should be done without using the spurs, flourish 

 of the whip, or noise of any kind ; a gentle touch or raising 

 of the reins and pressure of the knees, together with a slight 

 leaning forward, will put the educated horse upon the steady 

 and straight track immediately, the rider keeping to the 

 saddle a few seconds and then lightly falling in with the 

 step of the horse ; then, and only then, can the luxury of a 

 steady or fair swinging trot (such as Lord Palmerston and 

 the noble Duke of Wellington were wont to enjoy on the 

 Row) be appreciated. Care should be taken in pulling up 

 or stopping the horse. It should not (as is often the case) 

 be done on the sliding scale, but the horse should be con- 

 sulted, and the walk will be brought about without the least 

 jerk, strain, or effort. The same rule applies to the canter, 

 which is beautifully illustrated by the hand gallop of a 

 lady's hack with the musical accompaniment (especially on 

 a clear frosty morning) of the firm trot of the companion 

 at her side. 



The hunting rule is to ride " slow at timber," and 

 ^' fast at water." 



