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
The use of these exercises is to confirm (while riding upon both snaffle
and curb reins) the steadiness of hand and seat and true balance of the
rider, because, although these may appear good enough while a lady is
riding her horse on a straight line, or only with the turns at the
corners of the school, many shortcomings will be detected when she
attempts to turn him square from the boards, or asks him to make a true
circle, in which the hind legs follow exactly over the same track as the
fore legs.
To commence this lesson in proper form, the pupil should collect her
horse, by reining him quietly back, then move him forward well up to the
hand, at a walk and at a smart active pace. When she arrives at the
centre marker at the end of the school, the master should give the word
"down the centre," when the rider should turn her horse square to the
right (assuming, as is usually the case, that she commences her lesson
to that hand). The aids for turning at a walk having been already given,
it is only necessary to say that the turn down the centre requires only
a trifle stronger application of the left leg, to counteract any
tendency of the horse to throw his haunches outwards, and that, looking
steadily to the centre marker at the other end of the school, the pupil
should sight that marker well between her horse's ears, and ride true
and straight to it, taking care, by closing the leg in time, that the
horse does not cut off any of the ground, but plants his near fore foot
close to the boards and makes the corner equally square, because
whenever a horse is allowed to "cut the corners off" he endeavours to
get behind the bridle, and generally succeeds. The pupil, therefore,
should be cautioned in time by the instructor, and if she fails to make
good every inch of ground, the word "halt" should be given and the horse
reined back. Arrived about midway down the school, the turns to the
right should be made square from the boards, the horse's haunches kept
under him so that he does not hit the side of the school with his hind
feet. His doing which is at once a proof that he is out of hand. Arrived
at the centre of the school, the words "right turn" should be given
again, instead of allowing the pupil to ride right across the school to
the boards on the opposite side. She should then ride a couple of
lengths down the centre, and again turn her horse, by word from the
master, square to the right, and once more to the left, when arrived at
the boards. This, repeated two or three times, is a good preparation for
executing the circle; in order to facilitate the correct riding of
which, the master should cause his pupil to halt her horse at the side,
and himself walk over the ground he desires her to ride over. If he does
this correctly, the pupil will find little difficulty in riding the
circle with precision.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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