The One Aid and the Indications 77 



principle of elementary mechanics, will be given later 

 in the section devoted to instructional exercises, and 

 I v^ill there deal with each one separately, but must 

 insist on the sound principle that their use can only 

 be properly taught when the pupil has acquired a 

 firm seat, although he should be shown from the first 

 how to start his horse at a walk, etc., and how to 

 turn him — this much he can accomplish. 



When the pupil is receiving instruction in the use 

 of the aid and the indications, he should be mounted 

 on a horse that will obey them properly when ap- 

 plied. It is not an uncommon practice to mount the 

 beginner on a horse with an iron mouth, and a flank 

 with about as much feeling in it as a brick wall — 

 or perhaps it would be more correct to say, a flank 

 that is totally unresponsive to the rider's signals ; the 

 instructor is then very much annoyed when neither 

 horse nor man will do what is required of him. 



