320 Among Men and Horses. 



ally to gain a firm seat in jumping— that is, by learning to 

 ride without reins. Of this Mrs Hayes gave a practical 

 demonstration. Captain Hayes first explained the proper 

 way of mounting a lady and arranging the habit ; also dwelt 

 at length on the proper length of stirrup, the various kinds 

 of safety stirrup, and other preliminary matters ; and then 

 mounted Mrs Hayes on her horse, which had on an ordin- 

 ary snaffle bridle and a standing martingale. The short 

 reins were taken off, and long ones of about 20 feet put in 

 their place. Captain Hayes, on foot, proceeded to drive the 

 horse round, turning it quickly, walking, trotting or cantering, 

 and finally driving it over some big jumps, which were taken 

 in excellent style. One can readily believe that this method 

 is well adapted to give the pupil a really firm seat, as well as 

 to give her confidence ; and it makes it impossible for the 

 beginner to acquire the very common, but most insecure and 

 ungraceful trick of holding on by the reins. Much might be 

 said of the large amount of valuable and practical instruction 

 given by Captain Hayes in his lecture, as well as of some of 

 Mrs Hayes's brilliant performances, such as riding a horse 

 without any bridle or reins whatever over some big jumps.' 



Riding over fences, especially without reins, in a small 

 school, where one is continually on the turn, is a far severer 

 test of firmness of seat than going over an ordinary ' country.' 

 Also, jumping in cold blood tries the horse's staunchness 

 much more highly than negotiating obstacles under the ex- 

 citement of company or of the music of the hounds. To 

 show how well both horse and rider knew their work, I used 

 to put up, in the centre of the school, a gate 4 feet 9 inches 

 high and only 9 feet long without wings of any kind. My 

 wife would then canter Gustave up to it, and as he was in 

 the act of taking off, she would drop the reins on his neck, 

 and keep her seat without the slightest movement in the 

 saddle, while the grey gelding cleared the obstacle in his 

 usual clever style. I would recommend any man who wishes 

 to know if he can ride over fences without hanging on by 



