54 The Art of Biding. 



manage, until some progress has been made, and 

 the pupil should be taught first to handle easily 

 the single rein. Moreover the curb rein requires 

 some little care and skill, and should not be used 

 until the learner can keep his balance tolerably- 

 well. Few horses will stand the iron hand of the 

 novice jerking, and hanging on to, the curb. It 

 is better to begin without a saddle, but if the 

 pupil greatly prefers it there is no objection to its 

 use, until he gains a little confidence, when it 

 should be dispensed with for a rug or skin, fixed 

 over the back of the horse. In these early stages 

 it is better perhaps, especially for adults of good 

 solid proportions, to mount from an elevation. 



To fall into the easy natural seat requires little 

 effort. The pupil should sit well to the front, 

 nearly erect, with head and shoulders slightly 

 inclined backwards. The whole weight of the 



