HORSEMANSHIP 185 



correct seat from the first. It is always better 

 if this happens, as it makes less to unlearn. 



A great point in teaching young children to 

 ride is to inspire them with confidence — confi- 

 dence in their teacher, confidence in their pony 

 and confidence in themselves. That will form 

 a foundation on which to build up the perfect 

 horseman. At first, and so long as the child is 

 quite little, he may have stirrups. These should 

 always be box stirrups, as with them there is no 

 risk of being hung up. When he gets older and 

 stronger let him ride without stirrups; this will tend 

 to give him a very strong seat. At the same time 

 several valuable hints may be given to the learner 

 and it should be seen that he attends to them. 

 He should be made to sit upright, with his 

 shoulders slightly thrown back ; he should be told 

 to keep his hands down and his legs to his pony's 

 sides and his elbows to his own. Nothing looks 

 so bad as a man all ' h' elbows and legs ' as 

 Mr. Jorrocks has it. Then he must keep his 

 heels low. If these little hints are attended to 

 a foundation of good habits is laid and moreover 

 a sound beginning has been made in the art of 

 balancing, without being an adept at which no 

 man can become a horseman. 



Never let your boy ride till he is tired, and 

 let him ride every day. Never let him ride a 

 donkey if you wish him to become a horseman. 

 Riding a donkey will give him bad hands and 

 teach him to hold on by the bridle. 



And above all do not make a fuss over him 



