Boys 



.67 



These sort of boys seldom come to any serious grief. As to trying to restrain the equestrian 

 propensities — inherited perhaps from some very distant ancestor, which sorely vex the hearts 

 of pious and pedestrian parents, whose greatest daring has stopped at a chariot and pair of 

 fat hay-fed coach-horses — that is always a waste of time. 



But where there is no such violent taste, nine or ten years old is quite soon enough to 

 commence the horse education of either boy or girl. Many boys of tender years have been 

 ruptured, or otherwise seriously injured, by premature attempts at making them ride astride 

 broad-backed, rough-trotting ponies, or donkeys of uncomfortable paces ; and many young girls 

 owe a twisted spine or high shoulder to premature pony exercise on an improper saddle. 



The pony for a boy should be shaped like a good hack, with a head and neck that bends 

 and bridles well, and so narrow across the back that his little legs can easily grip it. The 

 best saddle for commencing is a pad without 

 a tree, made of some soft rough substance (felt 

 is as good as anything), with bolsters in front to 

 keep the child's knees back, fastened with one 

 girth, and secured by a surcingle, without which 

 a pad will rarely keep its place. But where a 

 child is to ride without stirrups, which he ought 

 not to do at a faster pace than a walk until 

 he has learned to trot and canter with stirrups, 

 a woollen rug folded to the right size, and 

 secured by a girth with a buckle and tongue, is 

 better than any pad. Better still is a pillow, 

 stuffed not too tightly with hair or flock, covered 

 with soft leather, and secured on the pony's back 

 by a broad girth, so that the child sinks securely 

 into his seat. This is an Oriental plan, and 

 makes a most comfortable seat for a boy. Any 

 one with a sewing machine can make the pillow. 

 Stirrups may be attached to the girth if required. 



A good form of pad, which may be used for cither a boy or for a girl with pommels 

 added, is given in the preceding page. A strap buckled in front of a young child makes it 

 assume the right position, and acquire the habit of sitting up straight. But it must be dis- 

 tinctly understood that the strap of this pad saddle is only to be used when the pony is led, 

 or when loose in a school or barn. It might be dangerous if the pony got away with a child 

 fastened to the saddle. The advantage of thus being strapped in is that a timid child acquires 

 confidence, and the proper form of upright seat, and does not begin by hanging on the bridle. 

 At an early date the strap must be discontinued, and soon afterwards a pad without the back 

 should replace this chair form. With respect to stirrups, it is a disputed question amongst 

 authorities of equal value whether boys should commence their lessons with stirrups or not. 

 My own opinion is decidedly in favour of using stirrups for the first lessons to boys, because 

 the seat and grip acquired by riders without stirrups are essentially different from the seat of 

 a horseman on a saddle. Riding on a smooth saddle without stirrups is equally absurd and 

 dangerous. 



On the principle of starting as one means to go on, it is better that the boy should com- 

 mence by learning to depend on the three legitimate aids to the seat of a civilised European, 



PONY WITH FLAP-REINS. 



