290 CONFESSIONS OP A HORSE DEALEK. 



and gives up, in despair, the idea of ever becoming a 

 rider. 



This I mention that the pupil should learn the proper 

 use of his hands and legs, before he is suffered to mount 

 a horse that is difficult to manage. 



If it be perceived that the pupil is likely to fall by 

 continuing at the trot, the horse should be brought to a 

 walk, and then to a halt, and the gentleman once more 

 placed in a proper position. The continual instructions 

 being combined with the efforts of the pupil, will, even- 

 tually, and in the course of a few lessons (of one hour 

 each), enable him to sit still and keep his heels down. 

 By practice he is taught to keep his seat,, and balance 

 his body without rolling from right to left, and resting 

 his feet upon the stirrups for support to keep him from 

 falling which he most assuredly would do if he had 

 them. 



When the pupil can keep his seat without much effort, 

 he should be allowed to ride another horse, in the same 

 order, and for four or five lessons the horse should be 

 changed each time, as horses, having different mouths, 

 differently formed backs, and different action, will tend 

 more to perfect him in firmness of seat, and balance of 

 body, than by taking all his lessons on one particular 

 animal ; and when he can manage these changes of horses 

 pretty well, he may be allowed to ride in a stripped 

 saddle (saddle without stirrups), and a double (or 

 curb) bridle, with which he must first be instructed to 

 mount. 



