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
Moreover, in the case, let us say of a dragoon, we will suppose at
riding school drill, it would be utterly out of the question to turn
horses by pressure on the neck and preserve order at the same time. Let
us suppose a double ride--seven mounted men on either side of a school
or _manége_. They are going large round the place, and the instructor
gives the word "Right and left turn." If each man of the fourteen were
to turn his horse by pressure of the reins against the neck, instead of
by the aid of leg and hand, the result would be that in place of making
a square turn at right angles with the boards, each horse would describe
a segment of a circle, more or less large, according to the
susceptibility of his neck, and the stiffness or otherwise of his ribs.
The consequence would be that the two sides, instead of passing left
hand to left hand through the intervals (and it must be remembered that
there is little room to spare), would be on the top of each other, and
in confusion at once. And if this would be bad at a walk, it would be
still worse at a canter. In either case it would be impossible, by the
application of such aids, to preserve the dressing. The above, I submit,
is a sufficient reason, where the utmost precision in riding is
required, why turning a horse by the action of the rein against his neck
(if, indeed, it can be done at all without the leg) is objectionable;
and another objection in the case both of the dragoon and the lady rider
is that the motions by which such aids could be applied are _too wide_
for neat and elegant riding.
Horses in their breaking may be taught to answer all sorts of "cross
aids;" but for simplicity and ease of comprehension there is nothing in
equitation so good as the system practised in the German and our own
cavalry riding schools, the proof of which lies in the fact that,
although years ago one did not get even an average amount of
intelligence as a rule in our rank and file, yet every cavalry soldier
could readily understand the simple system upon which he was taught. It
is because that system forms, after all, the basis of much that applies
to female equitation that I have so frequently quoted from and alluded
to it.
When the instructor finds that his pupil is quite at her ease, riding
her horse with one hand only, that she can do this, giving due freedom
of action to the arm at the shoulder joint, has perfect command of him,
and plenty of liberty and confidence in her own deportment on his back,
he should take her out and ride with her in the park or road, and
subsequently prepare her to extend her horse at a gallop, and commence
her leaping lessons.
At this stage a more finished style of equestrian toilette will of
course be adopted, in lien of the loose habiliments hitherto used.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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