136 RmG-RIDING. 



INSTRUCTION. 



The course of instruction for a class or club tliat desires 

 to excel in horsemanship and in execution of movements 

 should be thorough and systematic. The first thing, as a 

 matter of course, is to teach each rider how to moiint and 

 dismount correctly. The riders being properly mounted, 

 and going around the ring in single file at a walk, the in- 

 structor should place himself so as to see every one and note 

 any faults ; he should see that each rider sits correctly and 

 holds his reins properly, and should carefully explain the 

 uses of the reins and legs in controlling and guiding the 

 horse for the execution of the movements and changes of 

 gait. 



The instructor should call the attention of each particu- 

 lar rider to any fault in execution made by him, and explain 

 to him carefully how to correct or avoid the same for the 

 future. If a fault is general, then he should exjilain in a 

 general way, and call the attention of all to it. 



After going through any movement in a walk, it can be 

 repeated in a trot ; in fact, this should be a rule in trying 

 any movements that are new to the class, to first ride 

 through them in a walk, and, after thorough explanation as 

 to what is desired, then in a trot. 



After the class has gone around the ring and turned the 

 corners properly, the quarter-circle, large circle, and lialf- 

 scJiool can be explained. The instructor should especially 

 see that each rider goes to the wall at the proper j)oint, and 

 that each horse follows exactly behind the one preceding ; 

 also that proper distances are kept. In turning corners and 

 circles, the riders are apt to decrease the size of the circle 

 and to cut off the corners ; in turning quarter-circles, very 

 often not going up to the end wall at all ; this can only cause 

 irregularity of gait and loss of distances, and militates 

 against precision of execution. 



After this should come changing direction in file, and 

 then the simultaneous movements ; in these the instructor 



