46 The Art of Biding. 



it is young," however, is a good old proverb, and 

 one, the truth of which, I have had ample means 

 of proving in relation to riding, during my 

 experience of some forty years or more. 



The younger the pupil the more quickly the 

 art is acquired, and with more satisfactory results 

 to both teacher and pupil. Of course it is always 

 better to begin riding under the instruction of a 

 good master, but unless he be really a master of 

 his business it is as well, and I will even go the 

 length of saying, it is even better to do without 

 him. My advice then to all is, when possible, 

 take a course of lessons under the tuition of a 

 master. There are several reasons why this is 

 preferable to being guided by theory alone^ 

 independently of the superiority of practical 

 instruction over the apphcation of remembered 

 rules* 



