AVERY*S OWN FARRIER. 259 



RIDING AND DRIVING. 



The art of riiling on horseback (or equestrianism) is 

 so closely connected with breaking and educating the 

 horse (in fact it nay be considered part of the same), 

 that it will not be necessary for me to say a great deal 

 on this point. However, it is one of the nicest accom- 

 plishments ever attained by gentleman or lady, and when 

 once arrived at in any degree of perfection, the horse as 

 well as its rider, never appears to better advantage, than 

 when occupying this position. 



The old method of whip and spur, did very well for 

 the troopers, and required considerable ingenuity and 

 skill, but the horse never appears so graceful when 

 forced to do anything, as when learned to obey you by 

 the slightest, unseen motion of hand, rein or whip; still 

 he does this partly through fear, for he is a cowardly 

 creature, though we find in his instinct a nobler princi- 

 ple blended with it, when developed by kind treatment — 

 love. And besides this, the spur is useless to the lady 

 equestrian; for her use, the horse should first be tutored 

 by a man well skilled in this art, and then she has only 

 to learn the horse alphabet, and mount her charger, with 

 a feeling of pride (destitute of fear), to be able to cut all 

 the airs and evolutions of a riding master. 



The spur may be of use in breaking a horse that is 

 restive, and may answer the purpose of ornament to some 

 afterwards, without harm; but I hope never to see again 



