126 Modern Riding and Horse Education 



within four walls gives him confidence, whilst the 

 horse in his turn is quieter and more amenable to 

 discipline. In a minor degree the same advantages 

 attach to the open manege. The riding school is 

 also better suited for lessons in jumping without 

 reins, because, firstly, the tan is softer landing for 

 the horse, and therefore more comfortable for the 

 man, whether he remains in the saddle or falls ofif; 

 and secondly, the animal is under better control in 

 the school if he happens to be of a very excitable 

 temperament. Otherwise the performance can be 

 carried out in any field : I have experimented with 

 all kinds of horses in the open, and found slugs the 

 only tiresome ones, though showing them the whip 

 w^ill generally make them energetic. 



The use and abuse of riding schools has been well 

 illustrated in the British Army. Up to recent years 

 instruction was rarely carried out in the open, and 

 the whole standard of riding and horse-training was 

 judged by the performance of one or two exercises 

 called single and double rides. These consisted in 

 a monotonous sequence of turns and circles, which, 

 owing to constant weekly practice, the horses per- 

 formed mechanically, without the volition of the 



