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
Now, I have observed before that a horse to be thoroughly broken to
carry a woman should be taught to answer to very light aids, and
require, in fact, very little leg in order to understand and answer to
the indications of his rider's will. If this has been properly carried
out the lady will have no difficulty in striking her horse off to the
right, _true and united_, which means in cantering to the right (as
nearly every hack and lady's horse does) with the off fore, followed by
the off hind leg.
A charger or "high _manége_" horse--which must use either leg with equal
facility, and go to the left as well as the right--in cantering to the
former hand will go with the near fore, followed by the near hind, and
be still "true and united" in his pace. When he goes with the near
fore, followed by the off hind, or _vice versâ_, he is "disunited."
A point of vital importance to be looked to by the master is that his
pupil at her first attempt at cantering her horse is perfectly cool and
self-possessed, and that she applies her aids _smoothly_, without hurry
or excitement, for so great is the sympathy of the horse in this
respect, that flurry on the part of the rider is sure to cause
passionate, excited action in the horse. The manner of the master has
much to do with this; while it should be such as to keep his pupil and
her horse _vif_ and on their metal, he should be careful not to crowd
the former with too much instruction at once. Her position should be
corrected before she is allowed to strike her horse off. Care should be
taken that her arms are firm, and hands well back. The waist should be
bent slightly forward, which will give it more suppleness. She should
have a firm grip of the upper crutches, both heels well down, and at her
first effort she should ride equally upon the snaffle and curb reins. To
do this (assuming that she is riding with her bridle in military form),
it is only necessary that she should draw up the slack of the near-side
snaffle rein with her right hand until it is level with and under the
near-side curb rein; then carry the snaffle rein thus shortened over the
middle joint of the forefinger of the left hand, and shut the thumb
firmly on them. She can then place the slack of the off-side snaffle
rein for a moment under the left thumb, while she places the rein
between the third and little finger of the right hand, brings the rein
through the full of the hand over the middle joint of the forefinger,
and closes the thumb firmly on it. The whip should be held in the full
of the hand, the point downwards.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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