104 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP 



that tranquillity is attained. Then put your foot 

 in the stirrup, and insist that there shall be still no 

 movement. When this is attained, increase the 

 weight on the stirrup, and then place yourself 

 gently in the saddle. No movement of any sort 

 should be allowed on the horse's part until you have 

 adjusted your reins, got both feet in the irons, 

 pulled your coat doTvn, and are in all respects 

 ready to start. Then let the groom stand away, 

 and still let there be no movement. The trained 

 horse will never move imtil he is given the office 

 from the rider, and horses that do not so behave 

 themselves cannot be considered trained. It is 

 all so easy to do. It takes a little time, perhaps, 

 especially with old horses that have got into bad 

 habits, but it is time well spent, and worth every 

 minute of it. There is nothing new in this, it is 

 all as old as the hills, but in these busy days people 

 are apt to forget the ^visdom of the past, or to 

 remember that our fathers and grandfathers were 

 also men of experience and knowledge. If they 

 did happen to live " slower " than we do, it is all 

 the more certain that what they did know was more 

 thorough, and in many cases more sensible than 

 the youth of the present day would have us believe. 

 One final word, ^^^len preparing your jumps 

 in the paddock, it is important to take a little 

 trouble with the ground on the take-off and land- 

 ing side. A good tip is to dig it all up first, lay 

 fascines, and then cover them over and batten well 

 down. This will ensure good drainage, so that your 

 jumping can be continued in nearly all weathers. 



