iS2 ORDINARY RIDING. 



The weather is ahvays good for riding, except when there 

 is snow and frost.* 



In cold weather there is extreme pleasure in hearing the 

 quick foot-falls on the hard ground, of a horse which is 

 excited by keen air. 



If it is raining or misty, the damp ground will be excellent 

 for the horse, who will bravely plunge his feet into puddles 

 and mud, and will joyously splash everything in his road. 



When it blows hard, how pleasant it is to feel the wind 

 striking our face, while we dash along at full speed ! 



Behold the sun ! Let us go to the woods to enjoy the 

 freshness and deadened brilliancy of the soft light. 



The walk is the pace for reverie. The land spreads out 

 its panorama, of which we are a living, moving part, because 

 we are carried away by the country in the cadence of a 

 continual movement to the long striding walk of a thorough- 

 bred. What pedestrian will believe that the walk of a horse 

 can inspire his rider with the feeling of speed? Nevertheless, 

 that is the pleasure which is reserved for us. 



The trot and hacking canter give us the pleasure of travel- 

 ling without fatigue, of enjoying a harmonious movement 

 produced by a reaction as free as it is elastic, with an energy 

 increased a hundredfold by the generous ardour of the noble 

 animal which is at our disposal, and which will give us all 

 that is in it. Where does man end ; where does the horse 

 begin? We know not. The two make the most intimate, 

 supple, living and vigorous whole which forms all the joy of 

 life and action. 



AVhat intoxication of happiness to rush at full speed into 

 space towards the unknown ! If fences come in our way, 

 what excitement there is in flying over them ! What quiet 

 daring fills our heart! 



* When the ground is slippery, we should take our feet out of the stirrups, so 

 that one of our legs may not get under the horse, in case of a fall. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



