OR, The Turn Out. &S 



the horse to the right or left, and forward or backward by a 

 slight pressure of the knee, and sometimes is understood by 

 a slight shake of the foot or leg. Spurs, used without dis- 

 cretion, not only wound the horse but affect his temper, and 

 endanger the life of the rider. 



The writer would here remark that the unnecessary appli- 

 cation of the whip, either when riding or driving is both 

 brutal and dangerous, and it must be remembered that a 

 "long journey and swift '' is bad form, and that it is good 

 policy to frequently pat, or " make much of" your steed, at 

 the same time calling him by name. The horse should never 

 be flogged for shying, but the object shied at should be 

 steadily and carefully approached, or rode up to, if time 

 permits ; this will satisfy the horse, and tend to give him 

 confidence in the future. The same rules should be observed 

 in riding as driving. The horseman, before starting or 

 mounting, should " cast his eyes round," and see that every 

 part of the equipment is as it should be, sound and properly 

 fitted, the girths not slack, nor too tight, the bridle and bit 

 or bits a comfortable and safe fit, and the foretop hair 

 placed under the front of the bridle, and the reins untwisted ; 

 the saddle centrally fixed, a nice large easy fit, which, 

 means comfort for the horse and horseman alike, and the 

 motion of the animal's shoulders not impeded. Systematic 

 inspection detects the careless groom, and certainly pro- 

 vides against accidents. 



The position or seat of the rider being upright, smart 

 but not stiff; he depends in a great measure upon the 

 stirrup leathers, which should therefore not be too short 

 or too long. If the irons are high, the rider is shot as it 

 were into the air, and he cannot possibly " sit close to 

 the pigskin ; " if they be too long, the grip of the saddle 

 is missed to a great extent, and the rider is known as a 

 straight -kneed jockey, which position not only detracts 

 from the appearance, but is actually dangerous, sometimes 

 causing rupture. In either case the rider has less power 

 or control over the horse. 



On starting out, say for an exercise or pleasure ride, the 

 horse should be kept to a walk for a short time, then jog- 

 trot, and gradually into a fair swinging trot. If in the 

 country a " hand-gallop," or on grass a " stiff-gallop," ia 

 enjoyable both to man and horse. 



