HORSEMANSHIP FOR GEXTLKMEN. 285 



the bit in the cob's mouth, again remount; he 

 immediately commence to champ the steak, which will 

 not only promote saliva, and so relieve his parching 

 thirst for hours, hut the nutriment he will derive from 

 the meat will enable him to bear up with renewed vigour 

 and comfort, which no thorough sportsman will ever 

 deny to a dumb animal. 



This treatment will also apply to horses on a long 

 journey, where it may be difficult to obtain the custom- 

 ary feeds of corn and water. 



CHAPTER XXL 



HORSEMANSHIP FOR GENTLEMEN. 



THE earlier in life the pupil commences to practise the 

 instructions I shall give, the better chance he will have 

 to excel in this noble and health-giving accomplishment. 

 The horse or pony upon which he takes his first lessons 

 should be equipped with a plain single-reined snaffle 

 (bridoon) bridle, and a horse-rug, neatly folded, on his 

 back, and secured with a single-web sincingle. It is a 

 prevailing opinion that the rougher or more difficult a 

 horse be to ride in the pupil's earlier lessons, the more 

 likely he is to acquire a firm seat ; but I am prepared 

 to assert, from long experience, as well as the dictates 

 of common sense, that this is a most erroneous and 



