The Barb and the Bridle: A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling ExercisesHenderson, Robert, active 1866-1874
Science
The Barb and the Bridle: A Handbook of Equitation for Ladies, and Manual of Instruction in the Science of Riding, from the Preparatory Suppling Exercises
Henderson, Robert, active 1866-1874
Horsemanship
To carry on the lesson in the trot, the instructor should mount a cob or
pony of such height as will admit of his easily placing his left hand
under the right elbow of the pupil. He should ride with his reins in his
right hand, and be sure that the horse he gets on is a perfectly steady
one.
He should now put plenty of vivacity into his own manner; he will then
easily impart it to his pupil and her horse. The latter should be
smartly "woke up" if at all behind his work--pressed up to the bridle
with whip and leg, and "made ready" to increase his pace at any moment.
The master should then caution his pupil that on the words "Prepare to
trot," she should strengthen her grasp on the upper pommel, her pressure
against the third crutch, and well stretch down the left heel, while she
carries back the left leg, and inclines the body slightly forward from
the waist, arms very firm, fingers shut tight on the reins; and while
the body inclines forward there should be no outward or lateral
curvature of the spine, nor should the head be dropped. The shoulders
pressed well back, and the hands close to the waist, will give firmness
and suppleness to the whole figure. Directly the master is satisfied
with the pupil's position, he should place his left hand under her right
elbow, urge his own horse smartly on, and give the word "Trot," on which
the pupil should, without altering her position or yielding her hand,
touch her horse smartly on the shoulder with the whip; he will then trot
forward. At the first step he takes the master should help the pupil up
with his left hand, and commence counting his "one," "two" in exact
accordance with the horse's action. In nine cases out of ten the lady
will succeed, with a fair stepping horse, in catching at the first
attempt the rise at the right moment, and the increased impetus given by
the horse will assist her, while her preparatory lessons in rising and
falling will now prove their value.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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