FOKM AND ACTION OF GOOD SADDLE BOKSES. 171 



high terms of the kindness and patience hestowed upon 

 them while taking their lessons ; and from their manner 

 of handling their reins, and style of riding their horses 

 in the parks and hunting field, I am enabled to speak 

 with confidence as to the efficient manner in which they 

 have been instructed. 



The Messrs. Blackman have an out-door man6ge or 

 hunting ground, seven acres in extent, attached to their 

 riding-school, which must give them a preference over 

 those having a school only : and being extensive dealers 

 in horses, their pupils have an incalculable advantage 

 over those establishments with a limited stud, as I con- 

 eider the frequent change of horses during the pupil's 

 instruction of the most essential importance ; for there 

 is a wide difference in the action and style of horses' 

 going, as also in their mouths and tempers ; there is also 

 a difference in the shape of the back and withers, length 

 and formation of neck. Nothing gives a lady more 

 confidence on horseback, and improves her hands and 

 figure more than a frequent change of horses, as by 

 riding one horse too long her body becomes fixed in one 

 posture, often leaning too much in one direction, and 

 she also becomes too much attached to this particular 

 horse, until she feels nervous when she has to mount 

 another, because her seat does not at once accommodate 

 itself to the difference in the horse's action. 



Hiding masters, who do not understand their profes- 

 sion, are also ignorant of the kind of horse most suitable 

 to carry a lady, and these are very much to blame, for 



