94 The Art of Riding. 



right afraid of him, at all events, you have some 

 fear of him, and he will quickly take advantage of 

 it. Approach hira, if at all, with the greatest 

 confidence, firmly pat and stroke his neck, and if 

 he shows signs of temper speak sharply and 

 peremptorily, and if necessary deal him a severe 

 cut. Of all tricks of temper he must be broken, 

 and this can only be done by letting him under- 

 stand plainly that you are master, and will stand 

 no nonsense. Kindness and patience in teaching 

 him, uncompromising severity in dealing with his 

 wilful vices, should be the rule in dealing with 

 the horse. 



Having gone through all those exercises bare- 

 backed, which I consider necessary in acquiring 

 the balance and securing a firm seat, we may now 

 begin with the saddle. Hitherto we have, to a 



