258 The Book of the Hor^e. 



a ride on a strange horse in the quietest of by-lanes at the end of a fortnight. Three shillings 

 and sixpence for an hour's exercise on a trained horse in a school is cheap enough at the 

 present rate of the expenses of those establishments ; but, as a rule, their arrangements arc 

 not made to suit the class of nervous and somewhat inactive persons for whose benefit this 

 chapter has been specially composed. 



The full-grown pupil is shown how to mount in the approved military manner, and, when 

 mounted on a slippery saddle, is instructed how to sit, how to hold a pair of double reins in 

 one hand and a whip in the other, how to guide his horse, how to hollow his back, how to 

 keep his heels down, his elbows and his arms close to his sides, all at once. The result is a 

 feeling of idiotic confusion. The grown man becomes again a little schoolboy in the hands ot 

 a terrible pedagogue. 



But if the patient has courage, industry, and perseverance, and is prepared to begin with 

 the alphabet of the art, there is no reason that he should despair of becoming a very fair 

 horseman, able, on a well-broken horse, to enjoy rides in green lanes with friends, to take 

 constitutionals early in the morning in the Park, and even to be present at the meets of hounds 

 in company with that large constituency, to be found at all meets of hounds near great towns 

 who gallop boldly, but never on any provocation take a leap. 



The first and most important point before the full-aged man takes his first riding-lesson 

 is to be in proper condition, or, in a sporting and expressive phrase, " fit." As to who is 

 full-aged, that has very little to do with years after the teens are past. Some men feel younger 

 at forty than others do at twenty-five. The next point is a proper horse, the third a proper 

 saddle and bridle, the fourth a proper place to ride in, and the fifth a safe companion or 

 teacher. The case of a fat flabby man requires care and consideration. Such men are dangerous 

 subjects for a fall, and, it is useless to disguise it, those who ride must sooner or later expect 

 a fall, although every possible pains should be taken to avoid a catastrophe which, laughable 

 in a boy, may be serious in a heavy man. 



Boys learn to ride anywhere, on any sort of animal ; and tumble off without any serious 

 accident until they learn to stick on, but bystanders who are not brutes shudder when they 

 see a heavy, over-bold, middle-aged student of equitation come to the ground on the hard high 

 road, with a frightened face and fearful flop. 



To get into moderate condition before commencing riding-lessons, the usual treatment 

 must be adopted. Walking will generally be out of the question, because the middle-aged 

 convalescent who can take constitutional walks need not ride — unless it be on a bicycle. If 

 the patient is stout, and troubled with the corporate honours that made Mr. Banting famous, 

 a diet of lean meat and poultry, with sound claret, may be advisable ; to be followed or ac- 

 companied by a mild course of drill in the extension motions, with the view of bringing the 

 muscles of the limbs generally into play. The Turkish bath, and the packing-sheet process of 

 the hydropathic establishments, are both very eff'ective in improving the respiratory powers of 

 the sedentary, and preparing them for horse exercise; for when riding is taken up not merely 

 as an amusement, but as part of a course of physical and mental treatment for restoring an 

 exhausted body and a wearied mind, unnecessary pain and fatigue are to be as much as 

 possible avoided. A little preparatory training, carefully conducted, will do much towards 

 rendering the first riding-lessons easy. Muscular, active people, who can run and jump, may 

 exercise their muscles, and tire themselves by long hours of unaccustomed exercise, without 

 fear of any feverish action. A mild course of gymnastics, coupled with the Turkisli batli, is 

 the best kiiul of preliminary exercise. 



