The Iri.sh Huntsmans Recipe for Ridixg. 269 



After mastering the canter, you may proceed to the more difficult pace of trotting. Where 

 a riding-school is not to be had for the first lessons, a quiet paddock or a disused chalk or 

 gravel pit may be made to serve the purpose. A soft ground, and the absence of everything 

 that is likely to distract the pupil's attention, are the main points. After putting the stirrups 

 at the right length, it is important to measure and mark the soft snaffle reins exactly at the 

 length at which the child should hold them in both its hands when sitting in the right position. 

 One-handed riding in the early stages of horsemanship should never be permitted, because 

 one-handed riding means riding on one side. When Colonel Greenwood published the first 

 edition of his " Hints," in 1S39, the only style of riding taught was the manege, or military 

 one-handed, sword-handed style ; but these, with other social matters, have been altered for 

 the better since, and the best teachers only admit the use of one hand in advanced pupils. 

 But as we seldom forget what we learn when very young, it is most important that the habit 

 of sitting upright in the" middle of the saddle, with a rein in each hand, should be acquired 

 at that period — for " as the twig 's inclined the tree is bent." Children are imitative animals, 

 so if they are taught at all they should be taught on sound principles from the first. If a 

 boy has taught himself to ride boldly and badly, his bad habits should be eradicated without 

 mercy by an imperious master. 



One of the best teachers of boys and girls, as well as of men and women, this generation 

 has seen, was Dan Seffert, who commenced his equestrian education in the first years of this 

 century in the haute ccolc under his father. Master of the Horse to the celebrated Coimtess of 

 Craven, Margravine of Anspach, and became in 1830 one of the new school of professional 

 steeplechase riders. He won the St. Albans Chase somewhere about that time, on Moonraker. 

 He gave his children-pupils of both sexes a style, seat, and hands that could never be acquired 

 on the military one-handed plan. 



Seffert's plan was to teach one thing at a time, and he began with the seat. When his 

 pupil could turn, twist, and bend in every direction on the saddle, he began the bridle lessons. 

 Without a firm seat, he used to say, the rider will be too much frightened to use the hands 

 effectively when most wanted. There are at least some schools in London where riding is 

 taught on these sound principles. 



To sum up, children must have well-trained ponies, if boys — girls may ride light-stepping 

 horses — not over 15 hands, with suitable saddles and bridles. They must not attempt too much, 

 and commence by learning to sit without touching the bridle. They should never be allowed 

 to run the risk of a fall ; but should a fall occur without serious damage, they should be made 

 to mount again immediately, with as little fuss as possible. The first lessons should be in a 

 school or enclosure ; no awkward habits should be permitted. Stirrup-leathers must not be too 

 long or too short ; the reins must not be too short. 



The whole principles of good horsemanship are summed up in an old Irish huntsman's 

 answer to the widow of his lord : — 



" Don't you think, Mick, it's almost time that Master Ulick learned to ride .'" 



"My lady, get him a nice little horse, with some divil in him, of the Chit-chat shape; let 

 him keep his legs to the pony's sides and his arms to his own. Tell him to keep his hands 

 down and his heart and his head up ; and very soon, I go bail, he'll ride as well as the masther. 

 Heaven rest his soul !" 



What a strong lad of thirteen or fourteen may do in learning to ride in one long lesson 

 at a walking pace, has never been better described than in the autobiography of Lavengro, 

 when his father's groom sent him off by himself, on a sensible cob, for a ride round a mountain 



