The Oentleman^s Seat. 51 



all events horses that are not very broad in the 

 back, as much injury may be done to the young 

 by stretching their legs across broad-backed 

 horses. This is a point to which parents will do 

 well to pay attention. For other reasons too 

 ponies for young children are preferable ; there is 

 a greater sense of security, or, at least, not so 

 much apprehension of danger, when the pupil is 

 not raised very high from the ground. With the 

 timid more especially all feeling of danger should 

 be avoided as much as possible, as it not only 

 retards progress, but is apt to leave a lasting im- 

 pression, which is detrimental to ultimate success. 



Care should be taken also to select a horse free 

 from tricks and vice, and in every way reliable. 

 Apart from the danger of putting a novice on a 

 horse that cannot be depended on, a fall or fright 

 in the beginning will so unnerve many^ as to 



