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
Three or four turns are quite sufficient for the first lesson, because
the horse before completing these must go several times round the
school, and the pupil should ride him well up to his bit. After a few
turns, smoothly and correctly made, the pupil should bring her horse to
the walk, halt, make much of him, and sit at ease.
Making much of a horse when he has performed well is always a judicious
mode of letting him know that he has been doing right; at the same it
affords him an interval of rest, which is quite necessary. This may
appear absurd to those who are accustomed to see horses continue
galloping for hours. But it must be remembered that the sort of work I
have been endeavouring to describe is altogether artificial; that the
animal thrown upon his haunches only goes through the lesson with
considerable exertion, and that if he is kept too long at it, this can
only be done by an amount of fatigue on the part of the rider which
would be far from beneficial to a lady. The object of the lesson is to
induct the pupil into a mode in which she can obtain complete mastery
over her horse. It is, as it were, a gymnastic exercise for both steed
and rider, and must not be persevered with too long at one time. After
about ten minutes' rest the pupil should again collect her horse, rein
him back, and prepare him again for cantering. She should then strike
him quietly off, and ride him very collectedly, so as to be ready to
make the circles. These should be made from about midway down the
boards; and on the last sound of the words "circle right," the pupil
should turn her horse's head from the boards, and, supporting him well
with the left leg and rein, ride in a figure exactly similar to that she
described at a walk. She will find, however, that the horse requires
considerably more support in making the circles than he did in the
simple turns. Being on the bend from the time he leaves the boards until
he arrives at them again, the nicest riding is necessary to keep his
fore and hind feet on the same track, and prevent him from throwing his
haunches out. The pace, too, should be more collected than when the
turns were made. Four miles to four miles and a half an hour is quite
fast enough, and, if necessary, the horse must be halted and reined back
several times in order to get him thoroughly collected. Two circles well
done are quite sufficient. The pupil should then again halt, "sit at
ease," and make much of her horse. By this time both he and the pupil
will have gone through a tolerably severe lesson, because the collected
pace necessary to execute it, and especially the circles, necessitates a
great deal of cantering before a beginner can ascertain the true
cadence--without which, and a considerable amount of support from her
hand and leg, it is unsafe and useless for her to attempt her turns and
circles; frequently, too, a horse will have to go several times round
the school before the instructor can see the opportunity to give the
word.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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