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diff --git a/36701.txt b/36701.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ddb37c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/36701.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1817 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Graceful Riding, by S. C. Waite + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Graceful Riding + A Pocket Manual for Equestrians + +Author: S. C. Waite + +Release Date: July 11, 2011 [EBook #36701] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACEFUL RIDING *** + + + + +Produced by Julia Miller and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Note + +Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. A list of corrections +is found at the end of the text. Oe ligatures have been expanded. + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +[Illustration: Graceful Riding + + A + + POCKET MANUAL + + For Equestrians, + + BY S.C. Waite Esq^{RE} + + + LONDON + + ROBERT HARDWICKE 192 PICCADILLY + + AND ALL BOOKSELLERS.] + + + + + GRACEFUL RIDING. + + A + POCKET MANUAL FOR EQUESTRIANS. + + + ABRIDGED AND REVISED FROM "WAITE'S EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL," + + DEDICATED TO H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT. + + BY + + S. C. WAITE, ESQ. + + LONDON: + ROBERT HARDWICKE, 192, PICCADILLY: + + AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. + + 1859. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +The Author's last publication, "The Equestrian's Manual," having met +with so kind a reception from the Press and the Public--one which he +looks upon with the greatest gratitude--has induced him to compile for +the use of Equestrians of both sexes the present little Work, in the +sincere hope that his humble efforts may, in some degree, aid in +obviating the many severe and often fatal accidents, the result, in most +instances, of inexperience in Horsemanship. + +Should he have attained this end, and given some instruction to the +nervous and timid, or any to the experienced equestrian, he will feel +himself well repaid. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The science of Equitation has for many years been allowed, by the +testimony and strong recommendation of the most eminent of the faculty, +to be an accomplishment highly conducive and most beneficial to health; +assisting the blood in its proper circulation through the frame, on +which depends wholly good spirits, and freedom from bilious, +hypochondriacal, and nervous affections. + +Parents should not neglect to have imparted to their children an art so +calculated for the development of grace and beauty in maturity, and, +above all other considerations, _one_ that so eminently guards against +the many diseases of this varying climate; diseases which are, in fact, +almost, if we may use the term, "indigenous" to the spring and summer of +life. + +Physicians, of the past and present time, whose mere names should be +sufficient to procure every patronage, are in favour of the acquirement +of this most essential and elegant science. The skill necessary to +become a perfect rider, can only be obtained through the tuition of a +first-rate master; and, as far as the accomplishment can be explained +within the limits of a book, the Author has endeavoured to do so; but he +repeats there is much which cannot be written, and is only to be +acquired through personal tuition. + +Lessons in the school _alone_ can seldom make a good rider. In it the +horse and the pupil become accustomed to the same monotonous routine day +after day; but when they emerge on the road it is found that the expert +rider of the _school_ is deficient in tact and skill; and, in fact, has +learnt but little. The nature of the animal will occasion this; changing +the scene of every-day objects in the school, for the great variety he +must meet on the road, gives an impetus to his hitherto dormant spirit; +then the rider will find that he must exert all the skill and judgment +he possesses to keep his horse under the proper control indispensable to +his safe guidance. + +In conclusion, should this work contribute to the enlightenment of +ladies and gentlemen desirous of becoming _finished equestrians_, it +will have accomplished the end for which it was undertaken. + + + + +DESCRIPTION OF PLATES. + + +PLATE I. + +The first figure represents WAITE'S IMPROVED SEAT. + +The position is on the same system as the Cavalry, but being more +_neglige_ in appearance, and much less constrained in feeling, although +equally correct, imparts a more elegant and graceful seat to the rider. + +HEAVY DRAGOON. + +HUSSAR. + + +PLATE II. + +RACING. + +HUNTING. + +PARK. + + +PLATE III. + +The first figure represents the GENERAL SEAT of Ladies on their saddles. + +The second shows the position of a Lady when mounted according to Mr. +WAITE'S METHOD of tuition; by it a firm seat is gained on the saddle, +and consequently it is more secure than the usual seat; being also more +graceful and elegant in appearance, and giving the rider a superior +command over her horse, and obviating the danger of the habit-skirt +becoming entangled in the horse's legs. + + + + +PART I. + + +[Illustration] + + + + +CHARACTER AND MANAGEMENT OF THE HORSE, WITH DIRECTIONS FOR RIDING. + + +A knowledge of the general character and disposition of the horse is +really and absolutely necessary to his skilful management, from his +extremely nervous sensibility, his aptness to take the various +impressions of fear, affection, or dislike, to any of which he is +naturally very quickly disposed. + + "Reas'ning at ev'ry step he treads, + Man yet mistakes his way; + While meaner things by instinct led + Are rarely known to stray." + +Speaking in soothing terms to a horse, so that he may become familiar to +the voice, gives him confidence in his rider, which is of the _utmost +importance_. At all times more is to be accomplished with the animal by +gentle means than could possibly be done by harsh ones: kindness, or its +opposite, is speedily conveyed to and retained in his memory, which is +remarkably retentive. This mutual confidence is perfectly appreciated by +the Arabs. They invariably treat their horses with the greatest kindness +and affection; they are the Bedouins' beloved and stanch companions, +and on them is the Arabs' sole reliance in their predatory excursions; +they inhabit the same tent, and the neck of the horse is not +unfrequently the pillow of the Arab and his family; yet no accident ever +occurs; the kindness with which he is treated gives him an affection for +his master, a desire to please, and a pride in exerting every energy in +obedience to his command. + +Bad habits are speedily acquired by the horse, and when once learned, +are very difficult to break him of. + +_In nine cases out of ten they arise_ from the _stupidity, joined to the +brutality_, of an _idle, drunken, ill-tempered_ groom; _who, when out of +temper, invariably vents his rage_ upon the unoffending animal, which, +at last, to protect (or revenge) itself from the besotted tormentor, +acquires a habit of kicking and biting at every person and thing coming +within its reach, fearing that they are about to maltreat it. + +Many horses are condemned as _vicious_, and actually are rendered so +through _timidity_ on the part of the _rider_. + +The animal may be playful from rest, or a lively temper by nature; the +rider, _whose judgment_ may not enable him to _discriminate_ between +playfulness, nervousness, or vice, becomes alarmed, and, consequently, +loses his self-command; and, perhaps, not having learned the _correct +mode of using_ his _hands and reins_, in his _boisterous endeavours_ to +_save himself from falling_, imparts fear to his horse. The animal +naturally imagines he has been guilty of some great fault, and is +_fearful of punishment_; and should he _not be familiar with the voice +of his rider_, then a mutual struggle for safety takes place, and causes +an accident. The horse is _then_ condemned as "_vicious_," though the +rider was _alone_ in fault. The _same horse_, in the hands of an +_experienced_ horseman, would become as QUIET as ever. We often find +that really dangerous horses have been reclaimed by ladies riding them! +This is entirely owing to their using them _gently_, but firmly, and +speaking to them kindly; by these means confidence is imparted, and +makes them + + "All that a horse should be, which nought did lack + Save a good rider on so proud a back." + +A few minutes' riding will be sufficient to discover the nature and +temper of a horse, likewise what system of treatment has been pursued +towards him (which, in consequence, must be still followed). + +There are very many persons who are considered good horsemen, who have +no fear, and will ride anything, or _at_ anything, yet have no idea, +beyond the mere fact of riding, whether the saddle, bridle, and +accoutrements are properly placed. The neglect of attending to these +matters has caused many serious accidents. + +The _method_ of gracefully _holding_ and _using_ the _reins_ is _very +important_, although but _little understood_ or _attended_ to; in fact, +it seems but _a secondary_ consideration with Riding-masters, where it +should be a SINE QUA NON. One person may pull at a runaway horse with +all his strength, but to no purpose; another possessing that knowledge +shall be able to manage, and hold him with a pack-thread. + + * * * * * + +RUNAWAY HORSES are most frequently made so by bad and timid riders, who +make use of a whip and spurs without having a _firm seat_. Such persons +are easily unseated on the horse shying, or jumping about in a playful +mood; then, in their endeavours to recover themselves, they slacken +their reins, and at the same time unintentionally goad him with their +spurs, or strike him with their whip. In clutching at the reins, the +horse becoming frightened, naturally increases his speed, until, from +the continued irritation of whip and spur, in the terrified horseman's +futile attempts to subdue him, the horse becomes maddened with terror +and excitement, and ultimately throws his rider. + + * * * * * + +SHYING is often the result of skittishness or affectation at first. This +may be easily overcome and cured, at its commencement, by the judicious +treatment of the rider, in using firmness tempered with kindness; +avoiding all harsh measures, and passing the horse several times quietly +by the object which caused him to shy. A word, half-scolding, +half-encouraging, with a gentle pressure of the heel, or a slight touch +of the spur or whip, will convince him there is nothing to fear; and, +further, will give the animal _confidence_ in his rider on future +occasions. + + * * * * * + +KICKING is a dangerous vice, and generally the result of an idle groom +or stable-boy playing with the horse, and pinching him on the loins; so +that, should any extraneous substance be in the padding of the saddle, +or the flaps of a coat touch him there, or even a hand be thoughtlessly +laid on his quarters, he immediately commences kicking to dislodge the +cause. Once succeeding, he has invariably recourse to the same remedy, +until the habit becomes confirmed. + +There are many valuable horses ruined by thoughtlessness and +folly.--This is more frequently the case with animals of high courage. +In many instances, a _very trivial_ alteration in the adjustment of the +saddle or bridle, &c. (had the rider been properly instructed, and +therefore possessing the knowledge how such alterations should be made), +would have saved great danger and annoyance to the rider, and +_unnecessary_ pain to the horse. + + * * * * * + +WHEN A HORSE IS KICKING, the rider should throw his body _well back_, +raise the horse's head, and apply the whip smartly over his shoulders. + +Rearing is very dangerous, and most difficult to break. It is often +caused by the bit being too sharp for the horse, his mouth being tender, +or perhaps sore. + +_When rearing_, the whole weight of horse and rider being thrown +perpendicularly on the animal's hind legs, the _most trifling_ check +from the rider's hand would cause him to fall backwards; the rider must +drop his hand as before, loosen the reins, and throw his whole weight on +his shoulders, at the same time catching him 'round the neck with his +right hand. These directions will much assist in bringing him down on +his feet again, and prevent the rider's body from falling backwards. + +Unsteadiness in mounting is very often the consequence of the horse's +eagerness and anxiety to start. It is generally the fault with +thorough-bred, high-couraged, young and nervous horses. It is a most +annoying fault, especially with elderly and timid riders, many of whom +are frequently thrown before they can firmly seat themselves. + +This is only to be cured by an active and good horseman, combined with +firm, though gentle and kind, usage; by approaching him gently and +patting him, mounting at the _first_ effort, and when seated, +restraining him, patting his neck, and speaking kindly to him, but, at +the same time, not allowing him to move until he is perfectly quiet. In +a few days he will be quite cured of his fault. Remember! _harshness +must never be used_ in this case, as great mischief may be done by such +a course, and the habit _will be confirmed_. + +KINDNESS will succeed generally in most cases of vice; HARSHNESS _never +will_ in any! + +The position of the saddle should be in accordance with the formation of +the horse's shoulders, and about a hand's breadth from them, so as not +in any way to interfere with or impede the _free action_ of the muscles. + +The malposition of the saddle, particularly in horses with upright +shoulders, is the cause of many horses falling, from its pressing too +much on the shoulders, and by that means confining the action of the +muscles, which thus become benumbed, and lose their elasticity. A +partial deadening of the limbs having taken place, the horse, from want +of vitality in the legs, stumbles, and is unable, through the torpidity +of the muscles, to recover himself, and falls to the ground; in many +cases he has been known to fall as if shot. + +The saddle should be wide, and roomy. The length of the stirrups should +be such as to give ease to both horse and rider; the latter ought at all +times to assimilate his movements in the saddle to those of the horse in +his stride. + +A tight rein should always be avoided, because, if he carries his head +low, it tends to deaden his mouth, and teaches him the bad habit of +depending upon the bridle for support; in which case, he always goes +heavily in hand, and on his shoulders. The horse should at all times be +taught to go on his haunches. + +If the horse naturally carries his head well, it is better to ride him +with a light hand, only just feeling his mouth. + + "With neck like a rainbow, erecting his crest, + Pamper'd, prancing, and pleased, his head touching his breast; + Scarcely snuffing the air, he's so proud and elate, + The high-mettled racer first starts for the plate." + + OLD SONG. + + + + +ON PROPERLY FIXING THE BRIDLE, SADDLE, &c. + + +THE BRIDLE. + +In fitting the bridle, THE CURB BIT should be placed so that the +mouth-piece be but one inch above the lower tusk,--in mares, two inches +above the corner tooth; THE BRIDOON touching the corner of the lips, so +as to fit easy, without wrinkling them; THE HEADSTALL parallel to the +projecting cheek-bone, and behind it; THE THROAT LASH should be +sufficiently long to fall just below the cheek-bone, and not lay over or +upon it; THE NOSE BAND should be placed low--but that must depend very +much on the size of the horse's mouth--and not buckled tight; THE CURB, +when properly fitted, should be flat and smooth in the hollow of the +lips, so as to admit one finger easily between. + + +THE SADDLE + +should be placed in the middle of the horse's back, about a hand's +breadth, or four or five inches, from the shoulders, so as to give +perfect freedom to the action of the muscles of the shoulders. + +THE GIRTHS must be laid evenly one over the other, and admit freedom for +one finger between the girth and the horse's belly. THE SURCINGLE should +fit neatly over the girths, and not be buckled tighter than they are. +The large ring of THE BREASTPLATE or MARTINGALE should be placed about +two inches above the sharp breast-bone, and should allow of the hand +being laid flat between it and the shoulders. + + +THE STIRRUPS. + +In length they should be so that the bottom edge of the bar is about +three inches above the heel of the boot. The author always adopts the +following method for ascertaining the correct length of the stirrups, +viz.:--He takes up the stirrup-iron with the right hand, at the same +time placing the bottom of the stirrup-iron under the left arm-pit, he +extends the _left_ arm until the fingers of _that_ hand _easily touch_ +the stirrup _buckles_; _this_ is a _sure criterion_ with most people. + + +ON MOUNTING. + +In mounting, the horse should always be approached quietly on the near +(or left) side, and the reins taken up steadily. THE SNAFFLE (or +bridoon) rein first, then pass this rein along the palm of the left +hand, between the forefinger and thumb. THE CURB REIN must now be drawn +over the little finger, and both reins being held of an equal length, +and having an even pressure on the horse's mouth, must be laid over +each other, being held firmly in the hand, the thumb pressing hard upon +them to prevent them slipping through the fingers. Be particular that +the reins are not taken up too short, for fear it might cause the horse +to rear or run back; _they must be held neither too tight nor too +slack_, _but having an equal feeling of the horse's mouth_. Next take up +a handful of the mane with the right hand, bring it through the full of +the left hand (otherwise the palm), and twist it round the thumb. Take +hold of the stirrup with the right hand, the thumb in front. Place the +left foot in the stirrup as far as the ball of it, placing the right +hand on the cantle (or back part of the saddle), and, by a spring of the +right foot from the instep, the rider should raise himself up in the +stirrup, then move the hand from the cantle to the pummel, to support +the body while the right leg passes clearly over the horse's quarters; +the rider's right knee closes on the saddle and the body falls gently +into it. The left hand now quits the mane, and the second stirrup must +be taken without the help of eye or hand. + +The left hand (the bridle hand) must be placed with the wrist rounded +outwards, opposite the centre of the body, and about three inches from +it, letting the right arm drop unconstrained by the side of the thigh. + + +POSITION IN THE SADDLE. + +The rider must sit upright, and equally balanced in the middle of his +saddle, head erect, and his shoulders well thrown back, his chest +advanced, the small of his back bent forward, but without stiffness. The +hollow part of the arm should hang down straight from the shoulder, the +lower part square to the upper, the thighs well stretched down, the +_flat part_ to the saddle, so that the fore part of the knees may press +and grasp it. Let the legs hang down easily and naturally, close to the +horse's sides, with the feet parallel to the same, and the heels well +depressed; the toes raised from the instep, and as near the horse's +sides as the heels; the feet retained in the stirrups by an easy play of +the ankle and stirrup, the stirrup to be kept under the ball of the +foot, the joint of the wrist kept easy and pliable, so as to give and +take as occasion may require. _A firm and well-balanced position on +horseback is of the utmost importance_, it affects the horse in every +motion, and failure in this proves one of his greatest impediments, and +will naturally injure him in all his movements. + +In riding, the hands and legs should act in correspondence in +everything, the latter being always held subservient to the former. + +It is easy to discover those who have been thoroughly instructed in the +_manege_, by their firm, graceful, and uniform position in the saddle, +and their ready and skilful application of the aids or motions, and the +correct appliance of the bridle, hands, and legs; such being +_indispensable_ to the skilful guidance and control of the horse. + + + + +PART II. + + + + +ON THE REINS, &c. + + +The author most particularly wishes to impress upon his readers the +value of riding with DOUBLE REINS for safety sake, and in order to avoid +the numerous accidents arising from reins breaking, the tongues of +buckles giving way, and the sewing of the reins to their bits coming +undone. When there is but _one rein_, the rider is left quite at the +mercy of an affrighted and infuriated animal; where, had there been TWO, +he would still have sufficient command over the animal to prevent +accidents. + +There is another equally urgent reason for riding with double reins, +viz., the continual use of the curb materially tends to deaden the +sensitiveness of the horse's mouth; from the constant and unavoidable +drag upon the single rein, especially if tender-mouthed, he is made +uneasy and fidgetty, causing him to throw his head about, and go +extremely heavy in hand, and frequently rear or run back, to the very +great danger and annoyance of his rider, particularly when happening in +a crowded drive. + +It is very requisite to ride a horse occasionally _well up to the curb +bit_, and to _keep him well up to it_ with the whip and heel, so that +he may get used to _work on his haunches_. By this means he will be +thrown upon them, and, consequently, "go light in hand," the greater +weight being taken from off his forehand, by which his carriage and +general appearance is materially improved. + +After many essays, the author has found the following method to be the +_most correct and_ SAFE for holding the reins, when using _one_ or +_both_ hands. By it the rider has a much firmer hold--or, in +professional parlance, "purchase"--upon the reins, in keeping them from +slipping, consequently, a greater command over the horse, and can more +readily allow either rein to slip should he desire to use but one. + + +FOR HOLDING THE REINS IN ONE HAND. + +The reins should hang _untwisted_ from the bits. + +The rider must take up the bridoon reins with his right hand, and pass +the second and third fingers of the bridle, or left, hand between them, +draw up the reins with the right hand, until the horse's mouth can be +felt, and then pass them between the forefinger and thumb. Next take up +the _curb reins_ (again with the right hand), and pass the little finger +of the bridle hand between them, draw them up, as before directed, with +the right hand, until the rider perceives there is an equal length and +feeling with the _bridoon_ reins. The _latter_ having _rather_ the +strongest pressure on the animal's mouth. This done, _lay them also +over_ between the forefinger and thumb, and press down the thumb firmly +upon them to keep them from slipping; the hand to be held with the wrist +rounded outwards, opposite the centre of the body, and about four inches +from it. + +_The right arm_ should hang without restraint, and _slightly_ bent, by +the thigh, the whip being held about twelve inches from its head, with +the point turned _upwards_. + + +USING BOTH HANDS. + +Take the bridoon reins between the second and third, and the curb reins +between the third and fourth, fingers of each hand, each rein having an +equal bearing on the horse's mouth; the hands are to be held about six +inches apart, with the wrists rounded outwards, and the thumbs pressing +firmly upon the reins, the elbows well down, and held near to the sides, +the whip held as directed above. + + +RIDING ON ONE REIN. + +Take up THAT particular rein with the right hand, and pass the second +and third fingers of the bridle hand between them, then draw up the +reins, but be careful, in doing so, not to hold the horse too tight in +hand; the OTHER rein should hang down, having the little finger passed +between them, and the thumb also over them, so that they may be caught +hold of, and drawn up quickly on any sudden emergency; the loose reins +are to hang between those in use. + + +THE WHIP. + +The whip being a requisite aid in the management and guidance of the +horse, should be used as an instrument of correction, and by no means to +be _played_ with, nor _flourished about_. When using the whip for +punishment, _scold_ at the same time; by this means, with a cross word +will be associated the idea of chastisement. However, far more can be +achieved by kindness than by any harsh measure; but when such instances +occur that it is _absolutely necessary_, never hesitate to _punish +well_, so that the animal may thoroughly understand that it is +_punishment_ that is meant for his fault--_not play_. + + "A man of kindness to his beast is kind, + But brutal actions show a brutal mind: + Remember He who made thee, made the brute, + Who gave thee speech and reason, form'd him mute; + He can't complain, but God's omniscient eye + Beholds thy cruelty. He hears his cry. + He was designed thy servant--not thy drudge; + But know, that his Creator is thy Judge." + +Colt-breaking by the Guachos is performed in the same mode as the +Kalmucks, with the lasso; the idea of being thrown, let a horse do what +he pleases, never occurs to a Guacho. According to them, a "good rider" +is a man who can manage an untamed colt, and one, if his horse should +fall, could alight unhurt upon his feet. At the moment of a horse +falling backwards they can slip quietly off, and, on the instant of his +rising, jump on him again. They never seem to exert muscular force, and +appear to ride very loosely, as if every moment they must fall off: yet +should his horse be suddenly frightened, the Guacho will start, and +take, simultaneously, fright with the horse. There is nothing done on +foot by the Guachos that cannot be done on horseback; even _mounted_ +beggars are to be seen in the streets of Buenos Ayres and Mendoza. It is +not, therefore, surprising that, with such multitudes of horses, that +the people should all be riders, and excel all other nations in their +expertness and boldness in their management. + +The Pampas and Prairie Indians, whose forefathers fled from the Spanish +horsemen, as if they were fatal apparitions, now seem to be part and +parcel of the horse. They affirm the proudest attitude of the human +figure is when a man bending over his horse, lance in hand, is riding +_at_ his enemy. The Guachos, who ride so beautifully, declare it is +utterly impossible to vie with mounted Indians; they have such a way of +urging on their horses by cries, and a peculiar motion of their bodies; +even were they to change horses, the Indians would beat them. + +The Turks prefer the Turkman horse to the pure-blooded, slender Arabian. +In fact, from their trying mode of riding, the fine limbs of the Arab +could not stand the shock upon them, their favourite manoeuvre being +to make a dead stop when galloping at full speed. To accomplish this +feat, they use a very severe bit, which, of course, destroys the +_sensibility_ of their horses' mouths; while, on the contrary, the Arabs +use only a plain snaffle, which preserves all the sensitiveness of the +animals' mouths. + +The Toorkman, or Turkman horses.--These are much esteemed by the +Persians. They are large and swift, and possess extraordinary powers of +endurance, though they are exceedingly awkward in appearance. Turkistan +is their native region, which lies north-east of the Caspian Sea; but +their tribes are widely dispersed over Persia, Asia Minor, and Syria. + +The Persians are great admirers of horsemanship, and a bad rider affords +them infinite amusement. "An officer of an English frigate having gone +ashore to visit the envoy, and being mounted on a very spirited horse, +and a very bad rider, caused great entertainment to the Persian +populace. The next day the man who supplied the ship with vegetables, +and spoke a little English, said to the officer, 'Don't be ashamed, sir, +nobody knows you--bad rider! I tell them you, like all English, ride +well, but that time they see you very drunk!' We were much amused at +this conception of our national character. The Persian thought it would +have been _a reproach for a man of a warlike nation not to ride well_, +but none for a European to get drunk."[33-*] + + [33-*] _Vide_ "The Horse and his Rider." + +The Syrian horses are reared with the utmost tenderness and care; they +are fondled and played with like children. The Syrian horse is equally +good on mountainous, or stony ground, as on the plain; he is +indefatigable, and full of spirit. The Timarli ride horses of the Syrian +breed, mostly from their possessing these inestimable qualifications. + +The Neapolitan horse.--This horse is small, but compact and strong; the +head rather large; the neck short, and bull-shaped: the prototype of the +horses represented on the bassi-relievi of ancient Roman sculpture. He +is capable of living on hard fare, and undergoing great fatigue. He is +frequently vicious and headstrong; this is chiefly owing to his harsh +treatment; though very high-spirited, he would, with gentle usage, +become extremely docile and good tempered. The districts of Apulia, +Abruzzi, and parts of Calabria furnish this excellent animal. The +Neapolitans have taken extreme pains in the breeding of their horses; +they make great display of them in their streets during the Carnival, +and through Lent. The aristocratic families have excellent studs of +great spirit and beauty. + + + + +PART III. + + + + +ON THE PACES OF THE HORSE. + + +THE WALK. + +Of all the paces, the walk is the easiest to the rider, _provided_ he +sits in the centre of his horse's back, as it consists of an alternate +depression of the fore and hind quarters. + +The motion may be compared to the vibration of the beam of a pair of +scales. The walk should be light, firm, and quick; the knee must be +moderately bent, the leg should appear suspended in the air for an +instant, and the foot fall perfectly flat to the ground. + +It is very difficult to confine young and mettlesome horses to a walk; +great good temper, with a firm light hand, are requisite to accomplish +this. When such horses change to a trot they should be _stopped for a +minute_ or two, and _then_ allowed to proceed again. If the animal +carries his head well, ride him with a moderately loose rein, raising +the hand when he tries to break into a trot. + + +THE TROT. + +The trot is allowed, by professionals, to be the only just basis upon +which equestrians can ever attain a secure and graceful seat, combined +with confidence and firmness. The rider has more control over the +motions of his body in this pace than any other: in this the body is +well brought down into the saddle by its own weight, and finds its true +equilibrium. When the rider wishes to make his horse trot, let him ease +his reins and press the calves of his legs gently; when his horse is at +a trot, let him feel both his reins, raise his horse's forehand, and +keep his haunches well under him. + + +THE CANTER. + +The rider must have a light and firm feeling of both reins to raise his +horse's forehand; at the same time, with a pressure of both calves, to +bring the animal's quarters well under him, having a double feeling of +the inward rein, and a strong pressure of the outward leg, to cause him +to strike off in unison. + +At all times the horse should be taught to lead off with EITHER fore +leg; by doing so his legs will not be so much shaken, especially the off +fore leg, which is the one he most generally leads off on. This must be +the case when he is _continually throwing_ the greater part of his +weight upon the leading fore leg, as it comes to the ground, which +causes lameness of the foot, and strains the back sinews of the legs. +Being thoroughly taught to change his legs, the horse is better enabled +to perform long journeys, with facility and comfort both to himself and +his rider. + + +TURNING. + +In the turn either to the right or left, the reins must be held quite +evenly, so that the horse may be immediately made to feel the aid of the +rider's hands; he (the rider) must then have a double feeling on the +inward rein, also retaining a steady feeling on the _outward_; the horse +being kept up to the hand by a pressure of both legs, the outward leg +being the stronger. + + +REINING BACK. + +The rider should frequently practise reining back, which is of the +utmost service both to himself and his horse: by it, the rider's hand is +rendered firm and materially strengthened; and the pliancy of wrist so +essential to the complete management of the horse is achieved, likewise +causing the body of the rider to be well thrown back and his chest +expanded, thus forcing, and preserving, an _erect_ position in the +saddle. Also, the _carriage_ of the horse becomes greatly improved; his +head is maintained in its correct position, and he is compelled to work +correctly on his haunches. + +_In_ "_reining back_," the horseman requires a light and steady feeling +of both reins, a pressure of both legs, so as to raise his horse's +forehand and keep his haunches _well under_ him, at the same time +_easing_ the reins, and _feeling them again_ after every step. + + +STOPPING. + +None are thoroughly taught until quite AU FAIT in the stop. It is of +_far greater importance_ than may be _usually_ imagined. In the first +place, it shows the horse to be _well under_ COMMAND, especially when +the rider is able to do so _instantaneously_: it saves in the second +place, many serious and inevitable accidents from carriages, horsemen, +&c., such as crossing before suddenly pulling up, turning quickly round +a corner, or coming unawares upon the rider. + +Care must be taken to make the STOP _steadily_; _not_ by a _sudden jerk_ +upon the _bit_; by doing so the horse, if "tender mouthed," will be made +to rear and plunge. To make the horse stop properly, the bridle-hand +must be kept low, and the knuckles turned down. The rider's body must be +well thrown back; he must have a steady feeling of both reins, and, +_closing_ both legs for a moment, so keep his horse well up to hand. N. +B.--The rider's hands always must be eased as soon as halted. + + +LEAPING. + +Much depends upon the manner of bringing a horse up to the leap; he +should be taken up straight and steady to it, with the reins held in +each hand--they must be kept low, with the _curb_-rein held loosely. The +rider's body should be kept erect, pliant, and easy in its movements. As +the animal is in the act of rising in his leap and coming again to the +ground, the rider's body must be well thrown back. + +The sitting of a leap, _well_, is entirely dependent upon the proper +balance of the body; thereby the weight is thrown correctly into the +saddle, and thus _meets_ the horse's movements. + + +THE STANDING LEAP. + +Let the rider take up his horse at an animated pace, halt him with a +light hand upon his haunches; when rising at the leap, the rider should +only just feel the reins, so as to prevent them becoming slack, when he +springs forward, yielding them without reserve; as, at the time, the +horse must be left quite at liberty. As the horse's hind feet come to +the ground, the rider must again collect him, resume his usual position, +and move on at the same pace. His body must be inclined forward as the +horse rises, and backwards as he alights. + + +FLYING LEAP. + +The horse must not be hurried, but taken up at a brisk pace, with a +light and steady hand, keeping his head perfectly steady and straight to +the bar or fence. This position is the same as in the standing leap; and +the aids required are the same as for making a horse canter. + +If held too tight in the act of leaping, the horse is likely to +overstrain himself, and fall. If hurried at a leap, it may cause him to +miss his distance, and spring too soon, or too late; therefore his pace +must be regulated, so that he may take his spring distant enough, and +proportionate to its height, so that he may clear it. + +When nearing the leap the rider must sit perfectly square, erect, +pliant, and easy in the act of leaping; on arriving at the opposite side +of the leap, throw the body well back, and again have the horse well in +hand. + + +SWIMMING A HORSE. + +The rider must take up and cross his stirrups, which will prevent the +horse from entangling himself or his rider; should he commence plunging +and struggling in the water, _then quite_ loosen the _curb_-reins, and +scarcely feel the bridoon; any attempt to guide the horse must be made +by the slightest touch of the rein possible. + +The rider also must have his chest as much over the horse's withers as +he can, and throw his weight forward, holding on by the mane, to prevent +the rush of water from carrying him backwards. + +Should a horse appear distressed, a person unable to swim may, with +great safety, hold firmly by the mane, and throw himself out flat on the +water; by those means he relieves the animal from his weight, and the +horse coming once more into his depth, the rider may again recover his +position in the saddle. + + +BOLTING, OR RUNNING AWAY. + +This dangerous habit is to be found very generally in nervous and young +horses, who at the least noise, become alarmed, and try to escape; +quickening their pace, they break from a trot to a gallop, until +terrified with the impotent struggles of their riders to stop them, or +the sound of wheels behind them, they become maddened, and dash on in +their perilous career. + +Once a horse finds he has succeeded in these efforts, on any recurrence +of noise or cause of affright, he will pursue the same course, to the +imminent peril of life, limb,--not only of the rider or driver,--but of +whoever or whatever he may chance to meet in his impetuous flight. The +habit at length becomes confirmed, and it is alone by the utmost nerve +and coolness, tempered with firmness and kindness, that we may hope +eventually to overcome the disease. + +When a horse is known to have a disposition for running away, a firm, +steady hold should be kept over him, at the same time speaking +soothingly and encouragingly; but, at the least symptom, checking +sharply and scolding him, and never allowing him to increase his pace of +his own accord, as fear will oftentimes cause him at length to break +into a gallop. + +Either in riding or driving, the reins should be held firmly, and the +horse had well in hand; but not by a constant pull to deaden the +sensitiveness of his mouth; taking care occasionally to ease the reins +and keep the mouth alive by a gentle motion of the bit, only just +loosening them, so that on any symptom of running away or bolting, they +may be caught up quickly, and the horse be well placed under command, +without frightening him. + +By a little judicious management in this way, with patience, kindness +tempered with firmness, a cure in most cases will be completed in a +short time. + +In riding and driving horses addicted to running away, be _very +particular_ that all portions of the horse furniture be sound and +strong, more _especially the reins_ and BITS. + + + + +PART IV. + + +[Illustration] + + + + +ADVICE TO LADIES. + + +Preparatory to a lady mounting her horse, she should carefully approach +to the shoulder. The quietest animal will sometimes kick on a person +coming suddenly to him from behind; but if neared in the manner +described, he cannot possibly contrive to bite or kick. + +It is also correct to allow the horse to see his rider as much as +possible, as it obviates the fright occasioned by a person getting +suddenly on his back, that he has not previously seen coming to him. + + +THE HABIT. + +Both the habit and _under_ garments should be full, as upon this so much +depends the requisite ease and graceful appearance. The habit should +not, however, be too long, as it is liable to become entangled in the +horse's legs. Sometimes serious and even fatal falls have occurred from +this cause, particularly if the horse falls to the ground, as the habit +cannot be speedily extricated from under him. + +The author here strongly advises a lady _never_ to tuck her skirts tight +over the crutch of her saddle, but take pains to have them so easy, as +to be enabled on the instant to disengage _both_ skirts and knee. A +facility, _in this_, can only be acquired by _constant_ practice; and it +is of far greater importance to the lady equestrian to attain, than may +appear at the first glance. Had this _apparently slight_ attainment been +made a matter of _moderate_ consideration, many a parent need not have +had to deplore the _death or disfigurement_ of a beloved child. + +When a lady has her habit drawn over the crutch of her saddle, and +tucked tightly in under her leg (for the purpose of keeping the skirt in +its proper position), she denies herself the full liberty of her knee, +and in case of accident, to be off the horse. + +On the slightest warning, though _foreseen_, whatever the danger, the +_tightness_ of the lady's dress will not allow her to get her leg out of +its place, in time to make any effectual effort to save herself; also, +it is probable that the habit might get entangled in the pummel, and +she, frightened of course, would become unable to disengage her foot +from the stirrup (or shoe), in which case she inevitably experiences the +most appalling of all accidents,--_being dragged powerless, by a +terrified horse, a considerable distance along the road_. + +Before closing this portion of his subject, the author is rejoiced that +the extremely dangerous and most unnecessary fashion of wearing "Habit +Brooches" is now no longer adopted,--things solely invented for "trade +purposes,"--and to any, and especially to a graceful horsewoman, a truly +ridiculous article to wear: never to be patronized by a lady, anxious +for her own safety and the feelings of her family and friends. + +To illustrate this:--The position of a lady on horseback is greatly +limited, when compared to that of a gentleman; necessarily then, when +her skirt is confined by a "Habit Brooch," _all power_ must be taken +away, and _all chance_ of escape, when an accident occurs. A _very_ +slight fall to the lady may be fatal, where, had she had the full +liberty of her skirt, it would have been very trivial. The _proper_ +arrangement of the skirt of the riding-dress, to prevent its flying +about, entirely depends on the lady herself. + + +MOUNTING. + +Two persons are absolutely necessary to assist a lady to mount; one to +keep the horse quiet, by standing in front of him, and holding the reins +close to the bit, _one rein in each hand_; the other is for assisting +her to mount. The lady, having regulated her habit, must stand +perfectly erect; her right hand; having the bridoon-rein hanging loosely +on the thumb, being placed upon the upright horn of the saddle (her whip +held between the thumb and forefinger), her right side towards and close +to it. + +The second person, who is to assist the lady to mount, must now place +himself near to, and almost fronting her; having united his hands by +putting his fingers between each other, and stooping down near to the +ground, receives the lady's left foot, which should be placed firmly in +them, care being previously taken that no part of her skirt is under it. +The left knee should be kept as straight as possible, in order to give +additional purchase, while lifting her perpendicularly and gracefully +into the saddle. The lady must then place her left hand on his right +shoulder, and as he lifts her, _she must spring from the instep_, at the +same time guiding herself into the saddle with her right hand. + +Having gained her saddle, the lady should take hold of her habit with +her right hand, close to the knee, and raise it sufficiently to allow of +the right knee dropping _well home_ into the crutch, and keeping it +there, as far as she possibly can, immovable. + + +RULES FOR GAINING THE CORRECT POSITION IN THE SADDLE. + +Before a lady mounts she must endeavour to carry in her mind's eye the +_centre_ of her saddle. On _this centre_ she must, as nearly as +possible, place herself; and to assist her memory, she should take it +for a rule, to keep her eyes in a straight line between the horse's ears +when lifted into it. By these means, after a little practice, she will +not fail to drop almost insensibly into the correct position; the weight +of her body being thrown full into the centre of the saddle, rendering +her seat firm and easy to her horse and herself. For example:--should we +place a weight on one side of a table, the other side having nothing on +it as a balance, if it does not actually fall, it will become extremely +insecure and unsteady; but, on the contrary, if the weight be placed in +the centre, the table will be safe and steady, even if ricketty before; +therefore, if the lady does not sit "square" (that is, quite in the +centre) on her horse, she must inevitably throw all her weight to one +side, and thereby destroy her power over the horse, and instead of +giving him his correct action, render him unsafe, and shambling in his +gait. + + +THE POSITION IN THE SADDLE. + +To obtain a correct position in the saddle, the lady must keep her head +erect, and her shoulders well thrown back, which will have the effect of +expanding the chest, and giving the requisite hollowness to the small of +the back. It is also most important that the rider should keep her body +from the waist to the bust very easy, in no way to be constrained, more +especially across the loins. By observing these directions, the lady +will be enabled to accommodate herself, without uneasiness, to the +motions of her horse. + +When the upper portion of the body regulates itself by its _elasticity_ +to the paces of the horse, there is this additional advantage,--let the +animal plunge or struggle as it may, if the rider keeps her knee +immovable in its place, her left foot in the stirrup (with the toe +turned in, which eminently assists her seat and balance), and preserves +her presence of mind, and overcomes any approach to nervousness, she +cannot be unseated. + + +THE ARMS. + +They should hang _perfectly_ independent of the body, from the shoulders +near the sides, _yet quite_ free from having a constrained appearance. + + +THE LEGS. + +The right leg from the hip to the knee should be kept down in the +saddle, and, as much as the rider possibly can, without moving. The lady +will materially assist herself in this object by drawing _the heel +backwards_. The left leg must hang steady, _yet_ not, by any means, rest +its weight in the stirrup, for in consequence of the muscles of the leg +being round, the foot will naturally turn outward, thus causing a +wavering, tottering seat, inclining the body too much out of balance, +and giving a disunited motion to the horse, and an ungraceful and +deformed appearance to the rider. To prevent this, the knee must be kept +firmly pressed to the saddle; and, as before remarked, by depressing the +heel, the toe will be naturally turned in. + + +THE STIRRUP. + +The position of the foot in the stirrup is of great importance; upon it +depends much; keeping the correct balance of the body on the horse, +which consists in sitting perfectly square and erect, and preserving a +steady position in the saddle. In fitting the stirrup the lady ought to +have her length correctly arranged, which is done in the following +manner:--The stirrup leg must hang quite free from the hip-joint, the +knee being slightly bent, with the toes raised and turned in towards the +horse's side. Keep the foot fixed as immovable as possible in the +stirrup, allowing the pressure alone to come from the toes to the bridge +of the foot, which will have the effect of giving the elasticity and +regularity of movement required in the horse's quickened paces. + +The _length_ of the stirrup must be made a matter of importance. On it, +in a very great measure, _depends_ a steady, firm seat. + + +THE STIRRUP TOO LONG. + +In the lady's endeavours to retain her foot in the stirrup, her weight +must preponderate on the left side; if the stirrup be _too short_, it +necessarily gives a rolling motion to her body, destructive alike to +grace, elegance, and security of seat, and will prevent her seating +herself sufficiently back in her saddle. + + On the Reins (_vide_ p. 27). + Holding the Reins in one hand (_vide_ p. 28). + Using both hands (_vide_ p. 29). + Riding on one rein (_vide_ p. 30). + The Whip (_vide_ p. 30). + + +THE BRIDLE HAND. + +The motion of the lady's hand must be confined to the _wrist_--as in +pianoforte playing--the action coming from _it alone_. + +By the management of the reins, in concert with the yielding or +retraction of the wrists, the horse is guided in his paces. By this mode +the sensibility and goodness of his mouth is preserved; the beauty of +his action is developed; steadiness is combined with security in his +paces, and the safety of his rider is secured. The degree of command, +which the animal can be placed under, _entirely depends on the degree of +proficiency_ acquired in this branch. + + +GUIDING. + +There are _four_ motions requisite in guiding a horse. + +_To go forward._--Lengthen the reins, and give the animal his liberty. +For this purpose the lady's hand must be guided by the _action_ of her +wrist, and, at the same time, she must apply gently her whip. Here, it +is proper to remark, the lady's bridle, or left, hand must never be left +inactive, but, by practice, she must endeavour to understand the art of +_feeling the horse's mouth_; should the bridle hand _not_ be kept in +constant use this will never come easy to the rider, the hand will be +unsteady, and the horse will become the same. + +_To go backward._--The reins must be shortened a little, the back of the +hand turned down, the little finger next the body; the weight of the +rider should be thrown back, with the little finger slightly pulled in +towards the waist, then the horse will readily step back. + +_To turn to the right._--The hand must be turned upwards, which will +direct the little finger to the right. Throw the balance of the body +into the turn, by inclining the bust to the right and applying the whip, +which will cause the horse to move forward as he turns, obey the hand, +and cross his legs one over the other, correctly. + +_To turn to the left._--Let the hand be turned down, so that the little +finger may be directed to the left; the bust must also be turned to the +left, and the hand up, with the left heel applied to his side, and the +whip to his right shoulder. + + +DISMOUNTING. + +There is tact necessary in dismounting, in order that the lady may avoid +the _expose_ and inelegance, attendant upon, as it were, being lifted +from the saddle in a groom's arms. + +Previous to dismounting, the groom must stand by the horse's head, +holding the reins close to the bit, to keep him as steady as possible. + +The lady having removed her foot from the stirrup, and passed her hand +down to free her skirt, etc., from all chance of catching to the saddle +or stirrup, should remove her knee out of the crutch; at the same time +taking the precaution to disengage the habit from that side. Then +holding the crutch with her right hand (the rein hanging loosely on the +thumb), and now placing her left hand on her groom's right arm, near the +wrist; his arm being extended for the purpose, she must spring lightly +and clear from the saddle, slightly inclining the bust towards the +horse's shoulder. + +By this method the lady will quite disengage herself, and descend gently +to the ground. + + +MAXIMS TO BE ATTENDED TO. + +Be particular to avoid nervousness and hurry, either in mounting or +dismounting. + +Take time, and have everything correctly arranged before starting; +serious accidents have occurred frequently from being in haste to start +off. + +Arrange the habit, length of stirrup, and have the saddle-bands and +buckles properly examined before the journey is begun, to prevent +having to stop on the road. + +Be careful to keep the hand active, and watch the movements of the +horse; by this means the rider will never be thrown off her guard, and +will be prepared for every emergency. + +Keep the horse's mouth always in play, so as to keep up its fine +feeling, _indispensable_ to his correct guidance. + +Never allow the reins to hang loosely on the horse's neck, crutch, or +pummel of the saddle. This oversight frequently causes serious and fatal +accidents. + +_Always_ use _double_ reins. Should one become useless, there is still +another to rely upon. + +Before the author concludes, he begs to be allowed to _impress_ upon his +fair readers, that an _elegant_ and accomplished _equestrian_ becomes an +equally _graceful pedestrian_, from the improved carriage acquired from +proficiency in the former accomplishment. + +To become an _elegant pedestrian_ is no mean task, nor is it an _easy_ +one to accomplish. Yet it is of the utmost importance to a lady, _in +particular_, to master it. How often, in our experience through life, +have we met with a lovely face and perfect figure,--everything that +could constitute the perfection of female beauty, _while at rest_!--but +once in _motion_, the illusion is dispelled from a _bad carriage and +shuffling gait_, the perfect form becomes quite common-place. These two +destructives to beauty can be entirely eradicated by attention to the +following directions, and which apply equally to + + +WALKING AND RIDING. + +Keep the bust and head _erect_; the shoulders _well thrown back_. The +motive power to proceed from the hips _alone_. + +Perseverance in these few directions will soon give all that is required +for a graceful and healthy carriage. + +Finally.--At all times _trust to your reins for security_, in cases of +danger. _Never_ grasp the pummel of the saddle. Never use a "Habit +Brooch." + + + + +REMARKS ON SADDLERY. + + +I have been quite surprised to see, in such a city as London, the +paucity of really good saddles. Most of them would disfigure any horse +they were put upon, with flaps of all shapes but the right. + +To say how a saddle should be made, would be quite impossible, as it +solely depends on the horse and his rider; for instance, a thin and +sweepy saddle will not suit a horse with round, heavy shoulders, and +wide over his loins. Many imagine that cut-back saddles are less liable +to injure the rider, than ordinary ones; this is quite fallacious. + +The saddle must have the head, or what is called, the pummel, to begin +upon; and the further _that_ can be carried forward the better; but the +nearer it is got under the seat, the more likely is it _to seriously +injure_ the rider. + +In _side_-saddles there is great variety; but the requisites for a +_first-rate_ side-saddle, to my idea, and one I would not hesitate in +recommending, should be _length_ (_indispensable_), _a leaping-head_, +_no off-head_, and it should be cut as nearly level as possible. None, +I may say, can dispute my first remark, and _none_ who have ridden with +the leaping-head will ever after be _without it_. + +There are those who say no, to the off-head being cut away, "for should +a lady become nervous, she could not steady herself so well as if the +head had been left on;" here I fully agree, but beg to say in reply, +that before a lady attempts the road or anywhere where she might be +placed in such a critical position, she must have her nerves so +strengthened through her equestrian education, that she need not look to +the off-head of her saddle for safety; her _point d'appui_ is the +leaping-head. When holding on by the off-head, the lady of course loses +_the use_ of one hand. Next, her horse may go where he pleases, for she +cannot get her hands down to have a good pull at his mouth. Then, in +hunting, the poor lady's wrists are everlastingly bruised by the +off-head, to say nothing of the danger of their being broken by it. + + +BRIDLES. + +There is a great variety of bridles. Generally speaking, the plainer the +bridle the better, more especially for hunting and hacking; for the +former, let your bit be long in the check (_i.e._, in moderation), the +mouth-piece thick, having the bridoon the same, the _suaviter in modo_ +being much more agreeable than the _fortiter in re_, to all animals. For +hack bridles, any fancy check may do, if the horse's head be +sufficiently handsome; but let me request my readers not to put a fancy +bridle on a coarse-bred, common horse. + + +THE THROAT LASH. + +Simple as it may appear, it spoils the heads of all horses, as it is +usually made. It should be long enough to fall just below the +cheek-bone, and not to lay _on_ or _over_ it, as it makes the animal's +head look short and thick. + + +NOSE BAND. + +Not as they were used in days past, _attached_ to bridle, but +_separate_. No one knows its efficacy when placed low, but those who +have tried it; its exact position will, of course, depend much on the +size of the mouth. + + +CHIN STRAP. + +Some imagine this is not an indispensable thing to a bridle, either in +hunting or hacking, _but it is_, more especially in _Pelham's_. I have +seen a horse in tossing his head, throw the Pelham bit over on to his +face; had a chin strap been attached to the bridle, this could not have +happened. + + + + +THE EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL. + +(_Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert._) + +BY S. C. WAITE, ESQ. + + +OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. + +Standard. + +Mr. Waite's book will put _every one_, who shall obey its instructions, +in the way of riding _well_; for it does as much as a book can to teach +the theory of the art. It is a book to be purchased and carefully read +by every one, not an experienced horseman, who purposes to ride or buy a +horse, and even the _experienced_ horseman will find in it _valuable_ +information. + + +Morning Advertiser. + +This work reflects high credit on Mr. Waite for its practical lucidity, +and the pleasing manner in which the instructions are imparted. His +directions for _curing_ the acquired _bad_ habits of horses, too often +the results of ill usage, or violence of ignorant grooms and +horse-breakers, are excellent. The position of the saddle, the proper +fixing of it and the bridle, the _best_ method of mounting, position in +the saddle (illustrated by diagrams), are carefully and sensibly treated +on. The third section, "Advice to Ladies," is novel, and the hints +_invaluable, not only to the fair sex, but to those who may have to +instruct them in the graceful art of Equitation_. + + +Morning Chronicle. + +In bringing under notice a new book, practical and highly amusing, upon +the noble Art of Horsemanship, which has emanated from the pen of a +well-known and accomplished professor thereof, we have pleasure in +stating the reader will find in these pages excellent practical hints +and sound suggestions on the art of riding well; and, in the manner of +training and treating horses we sincerely concur with, and we honour and +respect Mr. Waite, when he so forcibly inculcates kindness and +gentleness, though combined with firmness, as essentials in the +education and treatment of the horse; hardships, cruelty, and neglect he +strongly deprecates. + +The instructions in the proper seat and carriage on horseback, the +management of the whip and rein, are minutely explained, and of the +greatest utility. He is particularly attentive to the ladies, and +admitting the power they lose by their peculiar seat, he gives the best +recommendations for remedying the evil, as far as possible, by securing +an exactly central fix upon the saddle, the best form of which he +learnedly discusses. Speaking seriously, all fair riders ought, for +their own sake, to profit by his advice, the result of long experience. + + +Sunday Times. + +Mr. Waite, an _experienced professor_ of the art, has given us a +hand-book, _in which_ will be found a great variety of instruction, by +which the equestrian will receive such directions for the management of +his horse, under a variety of circumstances, as must prove of _great +value_ to him. + + +Observer. + +This work is _evidently_ the production of one who has acquired a +_thorough_ acquaintance with the subject, and who, moreover, possesses +the _rare advantage_ of communicating his instructions in a manner +peculiarly _ample_ and _clear_. We have seen _no_ other work in which +such a variety of information on the subject is embraced. The advice to +ladies is most valuable. + + + + +MR. S. C. WAITE, + +AUTHOR OF "THE EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL," + +(_Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert,_) + +With advice to purchasers of Horses, &c., and Originator of the Improved +Military Seat (obviating ruptures), and positions for Ladies and +Gentlemen on Horseback.--(Vide _Opinions of the Press, April, 1850._) + + +Mr. Waite has been requested by a numerous circle of personal friends to +submit to the notice of the public an ointment, proved to be invaluable +to the owners of racing and hunting establishments, breeders, farmers, +&c., for restoring hair on broken knees, and where it has been lost, +through accidents, disease, blistering, firing, &c., &c.; it is likewise +available for dogs in reproducing hair, bare from mange, scalds, burns, +and abrasions. + +Mr. Waite obtained the above valuable recipe from the late celebrated +and eccentric character, Patrick Jones, of Dublin, familiarly known in +military and sporting circles, and throughout the kingdom, as "Old +Paddy," who, after an unfailing success in its use, in all parts of the +world (where called by his military duties), for a period verging on +eighty years (and by him obtained from his father), on his death-bed, in +1853, confided the secret to the present proprietor. + +To be had in pots at 3_s._, 5_s._, 8_s._, and 17_s._ 6_d._, and in 8lb. +canisters for hounds after mange, &c., &c., at L4. 4_s._ + + + + +TESTIMONIALS. + + +_From_ DR. BUNTING, _the great American Horse Tamer and Breaker_. + + 2, ONSLOW TERRACE, BROMPTON, + _May 22nd, 1859._ + +SIR,--I beg to certify that I have used your "Old Paddy Jones's +Ointment" for restoring hair on horses and dogs, in _numerous_ cases of +valuable horses, and in _no instance_ has it failed in its efficacy, and +I consider it to be invaluable to every establishment where horses and +dogs are kept. In future, I shall never be without it. Wishing you every +success, + + Believe me to be truly yours, + J. G. BUNTING. + + S. C. WAITE, Esq., + _Brompton._ + + + PATENT AMERICAN BREAK OFFICE, + MASON'S RIDING SCHOOL, BROMPTON, + _July 7th, 1859._ + +SIR,--Having used your "Old Paddy Jones's Ointment" for restoring the +hair on horses and dogs, I have great pleasure in testifying to its +_good_ qualities in all the cases I have had in hand, and think it will +be a _great boon_ to all keeping either a horse or dog. + + I remain, Sir, + Yours obediently, + + To S. C. WAITE, Esq., HENRY HURST. + _Brompton._ + + ROBERT HARDWICKE, PRINTER, 192, PICCADILLY. + + + + +Transcriber's Note + + +The following typographical errors were corrected. + + Page Error + 37 mettle some changed to mettlesome + 51 that a gentleman changed to that of a gentleman + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Graceful Riding, by S. C. 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