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DUGAN STREET,

BEL SPRUCE,
PHILADEDPHIA.

EUGENE DE KIEFFER'S

|m

RULES IND REGULimONS.

i

thtM

y

1. — In order to maintain the most unexceptional character
for the School, applicants unlnown will he required to give
reference.

2. — All Lessons or Rides jiaid for in advance. ■ i

3. — One hour allowed for each Lesson or Ride in tJte
School.

4. — (Mie hour and a half for each Lesson on the Ri

5. — Twenty Tickets and upwards, after the first month
instruction,* good for three months from the time ofpurch
and no longer, and not transferable.

%.—Road Lessons must be jf did for extra.

1. — Lessons for Gentlemen every day from 7 toQ o'clock A.
M., and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from b to 1
P. M.

8. — Schools especially reserved for Ladies every day fro^i
10 A. M. to 1 /*. M., and on Monday, Wednesday and Priduy,
from Ztob P. M.

9. — No Lady or Gentleman will he admitted to any class
without previous arrangement with the Riding Master.

10. — A'o gentlemen admitted during Ladies' Practice, un-
Uss introduced by lady present.

11, — Piipils shoidd be punctual and regidar in their attend-
ance, as any loss of time will he tlteir oum. In case of in-
tended absence, notice shoidd be given in time in advance.
This rtd« will be strictly enforced.

12. — No deviation from Rides or Terms.

* It is highly desirable that during the first month the
lessons should be taken continuously, so that the pupils
may master the first principles.

EUGENE DE KIEFFER, ^:

308 to 316 J>ugan St., below Sjyrnce, .

BET. 15th and 16th STS. ►!

TERMS

First course of 20 Lessons,

" " 10 "

$35.00
22.00
00
Piding Lesson, single Pupil, half-hour, ^ 4.50
Exclusive hours, 2 Pupils, 1 hour, -^ 6.00

Private, single Pupil, half-hour, '\ 3.(

^Single Lesson, each

2.25

30.00
18.00
11.00
7.00
5.00
30.00

} '"60 Lessons, (only after the first month) 85.00
' ^Course of 20 Lessons, " "

■Half Course of 10 Lessons, "

U- u " " 5 " -^i

. 'Eoad Lesson, one person, . - .
' " two or more, each

110 Leaping Lessons,
, Road Ride $4.00 and if an attendant is de-
Vshed $3.00 extra.

Road Horses sent to or brought from the resi-
dence of parties hiring will he charged 25 cents
extra.

Horses on Livery, including use of Riding Room
without Instruction, $ per month, for use of
Saddles, &e., an extra charge will be made.

^This reduction will only apply when the first
20 Lessons are taken within one month.

y--

EUGENE DE EIEFFER,

Fsrmeriy an off.csr in ih« Bavarian Cavilry, ar f
for nine years instructor of Horsemanship in O/
Hoyal Riding School, Munich., jrers hir. services
lo the ladies ai:c gentlemir,, of Philadelphia, at
the Riding SehcH in Tugm Street, helow Sprues

In add- -ion -o a\ cxverlenee of over jeoent-^en
years in the miliiarg service, Mr, de "^-rfer ha4
atten'^ 1 th" Fidi.i^ SeK&ok of Saxony, Hanover,
Jt^i: ■>, r.nd of ike ce'^^aied Baucher of P-'^,

The jtcUe^ conta i a number of e .:Ses ec.c
f-J'y sel-i.ted ^id tra':^'id by Mr. de L^ls^ferfur
the ^Ria-ig SchoJ. r ^in the Ro'^d. Pup^l^ viay de^
peid upon rgt^Yin." i: personni atter-tion of xhe
Insiri'. :ir. who is dmhi in c .'..ianc^.

horsv. r.U'EN'c.^ii l'<iAi"MEl> u;'O^L th: :!lQSt

approved cj^iems. .^cidle lorsesfor the road or
parai^.^ can always I ol-'-'Sined at fm stablei;.

Incrij^oiionsgivn in the Sword £.,':cj'cise ofCaO'
airy, th: "Manual of -he Sabre, the Lance, and in
all matter^ -Mting to KUL-u'y Horsemanship,
ui^ludi^g the elementary mstruetich fvr Opcers
of Cavalry.

Very superior stabling wlih P^ ! ''•'* of er^^e
lestowed upon Ho^ ,ts at livery.

English, French and German spoken.

i

Wenderoth, Taylor & Brown

914 Chestnut St., Phila.

EUGENE DE KIEFFER

PRACTICAL mSTRUCTIONS

IN

HORSEMANSHIP,

JXCLUDING

HINTS FOR INSTRUCTION, AN ESSAY ON-PROPER BRIDLING.
AND ON THE METHOD OF CORRECTING THE USUAL DE-
FECTS IN THE WORKING OF THE CURB REINS

EUGENE De KIEFFER,

fori\ip:rly an officer in the bavarian ar.my.

xo\r
TEACHER OE RIUIN^G^ IIST rtLIL^^DEX^lPIiT^.

WITH ILLUSTEATIONS.

PHILADELPHIA.
TJUGENE DE KIEFFER

wo. 309 DTJGAN STREET, BELOW SPRUCE, AND ABOVE FIFTEENTH STREETS.

JRIDING SCHOOL FOR LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

1868*

Eiiterred according to Act of Congress A. D. 1863 by EUGENE De KIEFFERL.
n the Clerk's Office of the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Penn'a

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Preface 1

SECTION 1.
Lessons in the Kiding lioom — General Eules for imparting In-
struction— Hints to the Riding Master 15

SECTION 2.
Instruction in Kiding with the Snaffle, and Guiding with both
Hands— Of Mounting 19

SECTION 3.
Position and Seat on Horseback 21

SECTION 4.
Of the Buckling of the Stirrups 27

SECTION 5.
On Dismounting 27

SECTION (3.
Of the Action of the Keins 29

SECTION 7.
Of the Action of the Thighs and Legs, and of the Seat 31

SECTION B.
Of the Spur 33

SECTION 9.
Of the Helps to the different Gaits, and of the Guiding with the
Reins in general 35

SECTION 10.
Of the Gaits of the Horse 36

SECTION 11.
Of the straight Position of the Horse ; 39

SECTION 12.
Of Kiding in a straight Line, and without the Assistance of the
Wall as a Guide 40

SECTION 13.
Of Changing 41

SECTION 14.
Of Trotting 42

SECTION 15.
Of the Large Volte 44

SECTION 10.
Of the Small Volte 4^

SECTION 17.
Of the Changing short about 46

to the nature and qualification of the animal he is about to in-
struct, and the method best suited for imparting that instruc-
tion. No one but a rider of large practical experience is com-
petent to teach the art, and it is needless to say, that without
such experience, the study of even the best book will be of no
avail.

The writers upon horsemanship do not all cover the same
field of instruction ; in this art, as in all others, there is thnt
diversity of opinion which is the necessary consequence of the
peculiar views, and even fancies of authors ; this diversity is
however, more apparent than real. It sometimes results from
ignorance, sometimes from error in translation ; and very often
from the incapacity of one author to render intelligible an idea
which another, by a peculiar felicity of expression has made
clear ; another difficulty in the path of instruction is also to
be found in the fact, that most writers either omit altogether
to define the necessary terms of their art, or, if a definition be
attempted, another expression (which to the author may seem
equivalent) is used, to the utter confusion of the student.
Many instances might be given of this vice if it were not so
apparent as to render their enumeration unnecessary.

Among the writers upon the art, the works of the Duke of
Newcastle and of Jacob Lieb tell us clearly, how according to
their methods, a horse may be forced into obedience to his
rider La Guerroniere gives us a course of systematic instruc-
tion with special reference to the gracefulness of the trained
horse as well as that of the rider. Iluenersdorf recommends
a kind and patient treatment, and is opposed to the violent
and coercive measures of some other authors, and finally, the
n-reat works of Baucher keep constantly in view the attain-
ment of a perfect suppleness in the horse as a result of the
equilibrium of the fore and rear part of his frame. This
Writer teaches clearly how by kindness and patience a perfect
correspondence may be produced between the horse and his
rider, which idea is admirably described by Shakespear who
Speaks of a skillful horseman as being '^incorpsed and demi^
natured with the brave beast."

No writer prior to the appearance of the works of Bauchcr
has furuished us with any fixed principles of training. Their
essays are chiefly devoted to inculcating peculiar ideas founded
upon the personal experience of each author; but they do not
favour us with any principle of such general application as to
ensure the success of the student. Baucher was not satisfied
(as were the elder authors) with metely attesting the results,
as they occured in his large experience, but he pushed his in-
quiries into the causes of these results, and it is this rational
method of treating the subject which has given to his w^orks
the wide-spread influence which they deservedly command.

Let it not be imagined that Baucher is a mere theorist; no
attentive student of his works can fail to see, that he inculcates
the necessity of a constant and varied prac^/ce in riding, as the
only certain mode of reaching the results, the causes of which
he has from his own practical experience clearly explained to us.

If I might venture to compress the instructions of Baucher
into a few words, I would say, that the object he has in view,
is to acquire the entire obedience of the horse to the will of
the rider, by means of the combined action of the reins and
the legs, and that such means must, to reach the desired re-
sult, be carefully adapted to the peculiarities whether of frame
or temper of each horse, but in all cases are to be practised
with patience, moderation, perseverance, and firmness. These
means Baucher calls his 3Iefhode.

Before Baucher, no writer had proclaimed a rational Meth-
ode, but each rider was, even after an attentive study of the
earlier authors, left to such accidental correspondence between
his horse and himself, as sooner or later will ensue from mo-
tives of mutual convenience, and without the aid of any theory
on the subject, and even without the knowledge of the mode
in which it has been attained. Baucher has settled the prin-
ciples by which this result can be reached, and these princi-
ples are the basis of his Metliode.

Attention to these principles will not only accomplish their
object in a period much shorter than that required for the ac-
cidental results above spoken of, but will furnish the horse-

man with that which is equally satisfactory to hiui, namely
the reasons which are the foundation for such principles or
Meihode.

The Methode of Baucher is one of progress step by step, from
the most simple demands upon the obedience of the horse to
the most difficult, being careful to perfect the horse in each
gradation before passing to the next; a disregard of this im-
portant rule will destroy all the benefits of previous training.

In most of the cases in which the system of Baucher has
appeared to fail, it will be found, either that it has not been
understood, or that the instructor has intentionally deviated
from the order and succession of treating the various resist-
ances of the horse. These deviations are so natural as to be
almost unavoidable. The art of riding has been practiced from
the earliest days, and so much has been ignorantly written on
the subject, that the practical man is opposed to all theories )
add to this, the infirmity natural to all men to assume, that
they are beyond the reach of education in this art, and we
shall readily perceive how difficult it is to give the system of
Baucher a trial according to the directions of the author, and
no other trial is fair to any party. In all other arts and ac-
complishments men are not above admitting their deficiency,
but to doubt one's horsemansliip, even though it may be the
result of but a dozen mounts, is an insult quite equal to that
of aspersing honour. It is singular to what expense and trouble
a man will go to induce the belief that he is a horseman ] he
will buy an assortment of heavy and cruel spurs, and whips ;
saddles, bridles &c., &c., and these will be so ostentationaly
paraded that to question that the owner is a first rate horse-
man requires more incredulity than can be commanded in the
face of such a costly array of trappings. These considerations
tend to show, that in teaching the art of horsemansJiip, we
have more natural obstacles to encounter, than we have in the
instruction in any other branch. These obstacles are met with
in experienced as well as in inexperienced riders; in the form-
er, they arise from prejudice — a long habit of educating horses
in a peculiar way, and a selfsatisfying assumption that they

are beyond the reacli of instruction ; in the latter, they are
mainly caused by a reluctance to admit ignorance of the noble
art by submitting to receive instructions in it.

The object of both the old and new schools is to obtain
obedience on the part of the horse to the will of the rider, the
new school differing from the old, in discarding force and se-
verity as the means, and substituting therefor, gentleness and
kindness, accompanied hov/cver, by firmness preseverance and
above all, by good temper.

The chapter of Baucher in which he treats of the use of
the spur — dcs attaqncs, has met with an opposition which
is now fortunately disappearing in the light of experience.
The old school generally regarded the spur only as a means of
punishment, while the new treats it as an aid and gentle stim-
ulant.

Lieutenant General de Williseu of the Prussian Army, who
wrote before Baucher, says however, ^'I have mastered many
horses with the aid of the spur which were thought untamable,
being guided by the system of Jacob Lieb in his arte di Ca-
valkria in which in speaking of the use of the spur he says,
you must not be satisfied with three applications of the spur,
nor with five, nor with seven, nor with eleven, but, I say
you must apply it as often as is necessary to attain the ob-
ject."

Thus, before the appearance of Baucher's works, I was from
an acquaintance with the authors I have referred to, familiar
with the use of the spur in the mode which was subsequently
taught with more precision by Baucher, and I appreciated the
fact, that the spur was available to education in horsemanship,
not as a punishment, but as an aid and stimulant; it is in
fact, the mere ticMing of the flanks with the spur, or indeed
its more approach, that results in the most dclii-nto }»crcoption
l)y the rider of the sensitiveness and correspondence of the
flanks to each m.otion of the leg. The new school teachings
reach this desirable result more surely and sooner than those
of the old, because the spur is not used so violently as to cause
alarm

Many instances of the merit of the new school have fallen
under my notice^ among them I will mention that of a high-
spirited, thorough-bred Gelding which appeared to be quiet,
and to answer all ordinary demands upon him, but without
gracefulness or ease either in the body or limbs. This horse
fell into the hands of an inexperienced person, who pursuing
the old method of training, began by attempting to reduce by
leg and spur, the hind limbs to obedience, hefore the forehand
had been educated according to the system of Baucher. The
result was, that the animal resisted violently, :\t first by kick-
ing at each touch of the spur, and even at the approach of
the leg, and finally by incessant kicking at each chirrup (^f the
rider. The horse at this period of his troubles fell into my
hands and was furiously excited at every touch of the spur,
kicking, hollaing and squealing, — backing and plunging for-
cibly, and without intermission of his efforts; the result was
that he fell into a feverish state demanding care and rest.

This horse had been severely treated previously by applica-
tions of the Pillars and Sj^anish Riders ; these severities hav-
ing failed. I had recourse to the Pirouette Ren verse ; the spur
being applied in this movement, the horse by kindness and firm-
ness, was brought to a willing obedience, and became light in
hand as well as responsive in the flanks. The irritability in
the stable and when mounted soon disappeared, the position
improved, the back received the rider without roacliing, the
hinder limbs became active and supple in answer to the spur,
under the constant practice of the Pirouette Renverse. Thus,
in the course of two or three months, I obtained the fullest
serviceableness of the most obstinate horse I have met with
in a long experience. This animal was sold to an old gentle-
man, who rode him with safety and satisfaction for a long
tirr.e.

In the study of ]>aucher's works it must constantly be borne
in mind, that he has said, that he wrote only for accomplished
riders, in no case can his works, except under the guidance of
a good instructor, be of use to the raw pupil. The instruc-
tions presuppose in the rider a good hand and seat, and it is

only to such, that the teachings of Baucher will be useful or
indeed intelligible. It is difficult to define, what constitutes a
good hand and seat; all however Avho possess these indispen-
sable accomplishments Avell know what they are, and to such
alone the writings of Baucher are addressed. These ({ualifica-
tions can only be acquired by experience, to the aid of which
conies the study of the tlteori/, teaching the rider the reason
of that, which previously he may have ai^tributed to accident,
and enabling him successfully to apply the principles of the
art in all cases.

If these considerations be borne in mind, we shall see how
utterly groundless is the aspersion, that the system of Bau-
cher makes mere room-riders, for we know from his works
that he requires a long and general out-door experience to fit
the pupil for even the understanding of his theory.

The system of Baucher is not entirely new, though it is fjir
better and furnishes a more certain and speedy success than
any of its predecessors; and here, I may remark, that his
phrase of "instinctive opposition" conveys no novel idea, but
is simply a clear and concise definition of a quality with which
horsemen have been long familiar. Thus the Duke of New-
castle, whose writings have had a world wide celebrity, based
his treatment upon the opposition of the instincts.

But this writer, when he tells us that no horse had ever per-
formed to his entire satisfaction, shows that he had but a faint
glimmering of what was subsequently so well developed by
Baucher, by the light of w4iose teaching all attempts at the
coercive system were thrown into the shade.

By long and attentive observation, Baucher learned that all
the oppositions of the horse, whether to the hand or leg, were
rather instinctive than vicious, and hence were not to be pun-
ished, but were to be overcome by kindness, patience, and
firmness ; upon this valuable discovery, force and violence
Avere no longer practised by intelligent horsemen, and the use
of the pillars and Spanish riders, and other instruments of
punishment and torture was discarded.

It must not be supposed that the system of Baucher pro-

8

poses to obtaiD obedience simply by kindness, he has explained
this intelligibly when he says, that such resistance as was pure-
ly iiistinctive, he met by patient and continued applications of
the hand and legs, accompanied by the Qnihl use of the whip ;
this treatment caused no pain or alarm to the horse, which af-
ter the instinctive redstance had been conquered, found obe-
dience to the hand and legs the most comfortable position for
himself as well as for the rider. The horse in his natural state
has no necessity for the combined use of certain muscles, and
it is the object of teaching to develop this combination, the
successful result of this teaching, is suppleness of all parts of
the body, and this must necessarily greatly conduce to the
comfort of the horse.

The imposition on the back of a horse of the weight of a
man and saddle very materially disturbs his centre of gravity,
and these disturbances are as variable as are the weights of
riders and the part of the horse upon which that weight is
thrown. Thus, one who rides on his/or^-, with long stirrups,
throws his weight on a different part of the horse's frame from
that which bears it in the English hunting seat. Suppleness
may be said to be the complete adaptation of the mounted horse
to the various disturbances of his equilibrium, some of which
we have mentioned, and indeed suppleness is eqinlihrium, in
its largest sense. From these remarks it will be seen, that to
reach the perfection of the art, the rider must be supple as
well as the horse, for it is perhaps a more unnatural position
for a man to sit on a horse, than it is for the horse, in a state
of nature, to bear the weight of the rider.

Another great advantage of the Mtthode of Baueher is, that
by it, the object in view is accomplished in a much shorter time
than by any other system. For cavalry training, the system is
invaluable, for it enables the officer in command, to know pre-
cisely what his troop is capable of performing. There were
many objections made to the system of Baueher as applicable
to cavalry instruction, but it is believed that time and experi-
ence have removed them all. The old fashioned mode of train-
ing cavalry had no regard to the efficiency of the single rider,

the practice began and ended with the movements of sqnads
and divisions, and thus the cavah-y-man was totally unprepared
for the oft occurring necessities of single combat A horseman
who cannot act independently of the division, is as useless as
an infantry-man who cannot stand without the support of his
comrade

If the chiefs of squadrons were asked as to the number of
men in their commands fitted for single encounter, a truthful
answer would show a very small percentage up to the mark.
The efficiency of the troop depends entirely upon the confi-
dence and knowledge of each individual horseman, and any
training which does not attain this, is radically defective.

It has been alleged against the system of Bauchcr that it
has been tried in many cases without beneficial results ; but a
careful analysis of these instances will show that the Methode
of Baucher, was not followed in them. It will appear either
that the gradations of his method were only partially observed
or that some step has been altogether omitted, and thus, the
results of suppleness and obedience were fatally endangered
by precipitation on the part of the uninformed instructor.

If the forehand and croupe of the horse be subjected to
obedience to the will of the rider, or as Baucher calls it, cu-
rapport, the vices of kicking and rearing, are entirely controll-
able, because the rider can at pleasure place the weight of the
horse either forward or backward. A horse cannot kick with-
out throwing the preponderance of weight, ^or the centre of
gravity forward, nor can he rear without bringing the same
centre hachward, and it follows necessarily that a system,
which like Baucher's, controls this centre by means of the
hand and leg, is also master of the vices which a change in
the centre by the mere volition of the horse, would occasion.

The education therefore of the rider is as necessary as that
of the horse, and the attention given by Baucher to the prosier
use of the hands and legs at the begining of the instructions,
will soon show that the time has not been misspent. In order
to accomplish this, the pupil must be mounted at first upon a
thoroughly trained horse, and this practice will rapidly teach

10

by experiment all that is required in the education of a horse
not so well trained. It is apparent, that if after the study of
the theory, a student be put upon a horse trained in the school
of his studies, he will be enabled by practice to appreciate the
value of the precepts he has been taught.

The teachings of Baucher in regard to the correct use of
the hand are also not new. Count Pembroke says, "the best
"hand is that which does its part with least expenditure of
"strength, the hand must be light and sensitive but never
"wanting in firmness." There are three rules to be observed
in regard to the use of the hand —

1. While standing or in motion, the hand should be li<jht.

2. While aiding the horse, it should be sensitive.

3. When obedience is desired, the hand should be Jirm.
These rules all presuppose, that the seat of the rider is so

firm, that the involuntary motions of the body can have no ef-
fect upon the hand, which must be gentle and active, in order
not to fret the horse. A light hand enables the horse to re-
spond to it without disturbing his balance or temper ; when
however, the horse becomes disobedient, or when it is required
to make short turns or passages, the hand must be firm and
steady.

The importance and value of an educated hand must be
familiar to every intelligent rider, it is indispensable for safe
and bold riding ; quick and clean turns can only be accom-
plished by a light, firm and steady hand.

Numerous authorities attest the truth of these remarks. M.
de la Broue says, "le cheval bien dresse, doit attendre la main."
The well trained horse does not dare to move without the vo-
lition and necessary assistance of the rider, and thus, such a
horse "stands at the rein." Baron Weyrotter defines this, when
he says, a horse which "stands at the rein," neither attempts
to force the hand, nor to withdraw from it when standing or
moving. This result must be produced gradually, and the
horse be first instructed in standing, and in this position
should neither force the hand nor retreat from it, when this

— 11 —

point is gained he slioulcl be taught to give the same attention
to the hand when in motion. A perfect obedience to hand
and leg ensures lightness and suppleness^ and a thorough cor-
respondence of the frame of the horse with the will of the
rider.

It is impossible to lay clown any rules of universal applica-
tion, so much depends upon the variations in the build and
temper of horses, and advice in treatment must be sought
from a skilful and experienced instructor. However the
means may be adapted to peculiarities of frame and temper,
the training to be satisfactory, must result in the ability of the
rider to produce by his hand and legs, a correspondence be-
tween the fore and rear parts of the horse, or to preserve
what is called "the balance of the horse." The most spirited
and obstinate horses, and as the Duke of Newcastle says, "the
confused horses," will by correct training, with a good hand,
be forced to obedience and to light stepping.

The course of treatment we have indicated, is taught alone
by the system of Baucher. He tells us, that when the "horse
"is mounted, he should only be permitted to move according
"to the force applied." It would be erroneous to suppose,
that more importance is to be attached to the handj than to
the legs of the rider; the consequence of the combined action
of these two forces, should be (as we have said) to place the
horse in an equtlihriwn which is entirely subject to the con-
trol of the horseman. The least degree of force, either by
hand or leg, should produce a corresponding result, but quick
and easy evolution, can only be accomplished by the combined
and cooperating action of both hand and leg.

From what has been briefly said, it will be evident that a
well trained horse and rider can only be the combined result
of theory and practice; much good can undoubtedly be accom-
plished by mere study, but unless it be put to practical use,
and the student be stimulated by the exhiliration and emula-
tion of testing his theories on living models, no valuable end
can be attained.

I have before adverted to the advantage of training for cav-

12

airy purposes. The education of the horse for this branch of
the military service is by far the most difficult problem which
the teacher has to master ; on the success of his instructions
depend frequently the consequences of victory or defeat. There
are exceptional cases, in which comparatively uninstructed bod-
ies of cavalry have produced great results, but it will always be
found that such bodies were chiefly composed of horsemen who
by long practice had acquired without precept, a habit of fear-
less riding. Thus in speaking of the cavalry officers of Freder-
ick the Great, under the command of Seydlitz ) Behrenhorst
says, "they were active and daring road and hunting riders,
'^and being thus prepared for the duty, they attained a success
"in leading their troops into action, which has never since been
"equalled." Their experience in riding as hunters, across the
country, taught them to estimate correctly the ability of their
horses, the same practice enabled them to select at a glance
the best route, and having made the selection to pursue it
without heeding any impediment. It was a principle in the
training of these troops, that a good rein and good rider could
accomplish anything, while the mere theorist in the art, moves
on one leg only.

The value of a method for the education of cavalry, should
be estimated by efficiency in actual service, this efficiency de-
pends upon training, and the activity, ((uickness and perseve-
rance of each individual rider. Without these qualifications
cavalry is a mere burthen to an army, but with them, it is a
means of decisive advantage and success.

A result of great importance which flows from training, has
not been noticed, it consists in husbanding the strength of the
horse, or, as the English hunters express it,^not taking more
out of him than the occasion demands. A system which like
that of l^aucher, subjects the horse to the will of the rider, ac-
complishes this end in all cases in which the intelligence of
the rider is sufficient to correctly estimate the extent of the
demands he is about to make upon the powers of the liorse.

An opinion has gained some ground among hunters, that
there is no value in a system of training which like that of

13

iiuuclier, developes all tlie powers of the horse and subjeets
them to the will of the rider. This must surely be the result
of either ignorance or prejudice, for experience has fully shown
that the trained horse is more capable of meeting the demands
of the field, because his resources are never expended fruitless-
ly, but in exact proportion to the necessities of the case, thus
retaining in the horse (so to speak) that large fund of power
which in the untrained animal would be expended in wanton
and useless exertions.

When I joined the cavalry, the horses v/hich were rejected,
had suffered from injury to their hind legs, this was the natu-
ral result of the quick turns on the croupe as well as the con-
stant habit of riding in a tico heat gallop, interrupted by fre-
quent and sudden halts. Now, the rejected horses are those
which have suffered in the fore legs, this is caused by imper-
fect training of the forehand, the result of which is, that the
hind parts outweigh the fore, or in other words there is no
equilibrium between the parts, the neck and jaw have not
been sufHciently suppled, and the horse acquires a clumsy
and blundering action in his forelegs, which ends in injury.
These results would never have occurred if the cavalry officers
had been competent for their duties.

It is needless to add, that riding is a great promotor of
health. The beneficial character of this exercise is apj^arent
throughout England, not only in its effect upon the national
health, but upon the character of the people. It stimulates
the desire for manly contests, and creates the desirable quali-
ties of coolness and determination.

Tn the heat of the chase, when the best route must be se>
lected at a glance, and steadily adhered to, in disregard of all
intervening obstacles; rcsoJufir/n is the necessary qualification
of the accomplished hunter, and this should also be eminently
true of the cavalry oflficer in action.

SECTION 1.

Lessons in the Riding Room,

Tu attempt to demonstrate the importance of riding would
be superfluous. Good riding consists not only in the ability
of the rider to keep his seat on the horse, but in being able
to guide and handle him in all emergencies. To attain this
end in the simplest way and in the shortest possible time, —
to adapt it to the comprehension, and to the physical confor-
mation of different persons, is the object of teaching the art of
horsemanship. But few persons are fitted for the study of the
science of riding in its higher branches, which therefore are
not embraced in this work.

In general, the instruction in the riding school has for its
principal object to make the rider so expert, that he may know
how, by means of the different helps, to prepare his horse for,
and to execute, all possible evolutions — how to follow up these
helps with decision and adroitness — to maintain the position
of the upper body and of the arms, and to do all this with the
least fatigue, and, in the military service, so as to facilitate the
management of weapons.

The instructor should make it a rule never to pass from one
lesson or exercise to another, until the first has been well un*
derstood and executed.

General Rules for imparting Instruction.

Correct judgment, composure, patience and gentle treatment
are essential requisites of a teacher. Neither rider nor horse
should be fatigued. An experienced and accomplished teacher
will never suffer himself to be carried away by temper, nor re-
quire more either of rider or of horse than they are able to
accomplish.

The instruction must therefore be carried forward in exact
proportion to the progress of the pupil.

16

To go through with the different evolutious aud passages,
without the necessary primary instructions, is not only useless,
but detrimental.

Besides being well informed as to the mode of taking care
of his horse, the beginner should be taught how to saddle and
bridle him ; and in order to this, he should be familiar with
the different parts of the saddle and bridle.

In the first place, he should be made familiar with the dif-
ferent evolutions on foot, (especially for military service) as
he will thereby acquire a more natural and easy bearing, which
lays the foundation for a quicker acquiring of horsemanship.

To be able to jump on a horse contributes materially to an
easy and well settled seat, and gives the rider the activity so
much desired. This exercise should be practised by the be-
ginner both with and without the saddle, and without a spring-
ing board.

There are other exercises which may be practised on foot,
and which have a value in enabling the rider to acquire a good
seat : — They are

Bringing back and lowering the shoulder blades by crossing
the arms behind the back.

Turning the wrists with closed fingers.

Taking a position with the legs wide apart, the toes being
t arned inwards, and the feet kept parallel.

Bending of the knees, lowering and raising of the upper
body, by which the necessary flexibility of the knees and the
diagonal position of the hips are produced.

By placing the reins in the hands of the beginner on foot,
and explaining to him the position and movements of the
hands in guiding, and the use of the legs, many ideas are
given to him before he is put on horseback. This is more cer-
tainly accomplished if a well instructed rider upon a thorough-
ly trained horse is brought in, when the saddling and bridling
may be shown, and the art of horsemanship exactly and com-
prehensibly explained by example, so as to save much time
afterwards, and facilitate the labor of the teacher, who is only

17

required to give the beginner a hint to remind him of what
he ought to do.

All the primary exercises should be such as to inspire the
rider with confidence in himself as well as in his horse, and
only such horses should be given him as are quiet and well
trained, the better to prevent the chance of his falling off.

As soon as the instructor perceives that the beginner is be-
coming loose in his seat, he must order a halt, or a walk, as
with every fall he gets a beginner loses more and more cou-
rage and confidence; besides which, an accident might com-
pel him to withdraw from instruction.

Riding without stirrups is of the utmost importance, as it
tends to impart a firm and settled seat ; but it must not be
practised before the pupil is able to sit steady in trotting. If
permitted to ride without stirrups in the beginning he will
either hang on the reins, or grasp the horse with all his power
to avoid coming down; which not only soon exhausts him, but
postpones the acquiring of a free and easy seat.

At the beginning of the instruction the rider should be par-
ticularly taught in what manner the steps of the horse succeed
each other in every gait, so that he may acquire the feeling
of his regular step, and learn to suit the helps to the move-
ments.

All exercises in the riding room shoukl first be taught in
the walk, and afterwards practised in trot or gallop.

A lively and steady Walk should always be kept up.

A Trot to be perfect should be determined free, united,
even and with an extended stride.

The Gallop must be quiet, gathered, with a proper stride,
and not too elevated.

In each difi'erent gait, the horse's steps should beat a regu-
lar Cadence or Time, which is called the tempo; and this must
be such, that a horse of average power can hold out for some
time; and that quietness, resoluteness, and quickness in evc-
lutions may not be lost sight of.

All the exercises should be ridden with the snaffle l»j 'ore
the rider attempts to use the Curb-bit, (keeping the reins iq

18

one hand) ', and the latter should only be allowed when he
understands the guiding both with the snaffle and with the
bit, and when he possesses a firm seat.

The horse must therefore be provided with a snaffle, and
the rider must be first instructed in its use. By holding a
rein in each h;md, not only is an even position of the shoul-
ders and hips obtained, but also a ready understanding of the
action of the reins. The inner rein determines the direction
the horse is to take, — the outer one the width of it. Besides
this, the horse's mouth is not so easily spoiled by the use of
the snaffle.

With this view the following lessons have been arranged in
gradual succession for the thorough training of the young
rider, in reference first to guiding with both hands, and after-
ward to the use of the curb.

In the earlier exercises it is advisable for the teacher to
permit his scholars to ride in small divisions, with distances,
to give them an unrestrained and firm seat, and a proper idea
of correct guiding ; and after they have acquired some securi-
ty and self-possession in the seat and in guiding, he may be-
gin with the turnings. An experienced teacher can instruct
a class of from four to six pupils at one and the same time.
Only one teacher can profitably attend to a class, large or
small, during the lessons.

The judgment of the teacher, the progress of the rider, and
the peculiar circumstances of each case can alone determine
the proper time to proceed from one lesson to another.

[n correcting a pupil, the instructor should not only point
out where the fiiult lies, but should inform him in brief terms
what to do, and what helps to use, so that he may take the
right steps, in due order, to rectify his mistake.

Hints to the Riding Master.
As the adroitness to be desired in a horseman is based upon
the delicate "rider-feeling", acquired only by thorough teach-
ing and daily assiduous riding of different horses, the instruc-
tor cannot be too careful to direct the scholar's attention to it.

19

To give hiiu the preliminary impressions of this perception, it
is essential that the teacher should explain how the horse steps
forward and backward in walk, trot and gallop. He should
cause the pupil to tell, without looking down, which foot, the
right or the left, is put down in walking, and the same in
backing. In trotting, he should point out the diagonally
placed feet, and let the pupil try to tell whether the right or
the left of the hind feet is set down, this being more difficult
than to do the same for the fore feet. In standing, he places
the horse uneven, and causes the pupil to feel and designate
which of the fore and hind feet stand forward or backward.
In halting, he makes him feel Avhether the horse stops on the
forehand with high croup, or on the croup with his hind legs
under him. In backing, he teaches him the feeling of the
crawling back on the forehand with high croup, and the same
movement with the croup low or bent.

A.11 this is followed by the feeling of the effect of reins,
legs, etc.

In galloping the teacher causes the horse to be started in
the large volte, either to the right or left, and calls the pupil's
attention to the feeling that is produced by it in the seat and
hips.

Then the teacher should let the horse start -in gallop with-
out preparation, (he may start him himself with the long-
whip,) and ask the pupil to say from his own feeling whether
the horse gallops with the right or left foot foremost.

These exercises, gone through with at the right time, and
repeated daily, will soon give the pupil a preliminary impres-
sion of what, for the want of a better phrase, we may call the
rldei'-feclbiy, and put him in the way of becoming an intelli-
gent horseman.

SECTION '1.

Instruction in Riding ivitli the Snaffle, and Guiding

ivith both Hands. Of ^hunting.

The beginner should lead his horse into the school Avith the
right hand holding the end of the snaffle rein in his left hand,

20

aud grasping the two reins with his right hand immediately
under the chin of the horse. He places himself in a line pa-
rallel with the short wall of the school, fronting the long wall,
to the left of the neck of the horse, in a natural position be-
fore the teacher. The right arm must be somewhat extended
so that he does not stand too near the horse, and so that he
has the necessary space for what he has to do.

The horse must stand straight on all four feet, the forelegs
perpendicular and the head raised.

The rider now places the snaffle over the horse's neck, and
the instructor examines whether the horse is properly saddled,
and shows the beginner how to mount.

At the command ''Ready to Mount" — the rider turns to
the right upon his left heel, towards the horse, — makes a step
sideways and a little towards the stirrups in such a way as to
be able to seize the stirrups without being obliged to make a
second movement.

In making the step sideways the rider must slide the palm
(.f the left hand along the left bridle, quietly up to the neck
of the horse ; seize with the right hand a portion of the mane,
near the saddle, and place it in the left hand (with the ends
of the hair upwards). This hand is then closed firmly and
placed with the little finger close to the neck.

He then seizes the stirrup with his right hand, places his
left foot in it to the toe joint, moves, if nece.ssary, the right
foot a little nearer to the horse and presses the left knee tight
to the saddle, without, however, the point of the toe touching
the horse ; then lifts himself upon the point of his right foot,
seizes with his right hand the cantle of the saddle, and holds
himself with straightened body and head, his eyes directed
somewhat towards the ears of the horse, ready to mount.

At the command ''Ifoiint" — The rider holds tight to the
mane, rests his left foot firmly in the stirrup, presses the left
knee on the saddle, raises himself with an easy swing on the
point of the right foot and with his body straight, and brings
the right foot close to the left.

At first this p.sition (with the knec,^ ii little ]>cnt, and tlu"

— 21 —

upper body slightly inclined over the saddle) is kept up, so
that the rider learns to keep his balance and to stand in the
stirrup. Then the rider raises the right leg (with the knee
slightly bent, and the spur turned outward) high over the
back of the horse, without touching his croup removes the
right hand from the cantle of the saddle and brings it with
the thumb forwards upon the pommel, and lowers himself
gently into the saddle.

He then tries to find his stirrup with the point of the right
foot, without looking down, and takes the reins in both hands
according to the instructions hereafter to be given,

(The teacher should endeavor to make the pupil compre-
hend, that by a firm grasping of the mane, — by a strong pres-
sure of the knee upon the saddle, — and by quickly rising from
the ground, a turning of the saddle is prevented).

It may be proper here to mention

How TO Mount ^vitr a Cloak on.
The rider seizes with the right hand the front right side of
the cloak, and holds the same while placing the hand on the
back of the saddle, until he lias brought the right foot over
the horse's rear.

SECTION 3.
Position and Seat on Horseback.

In placing a beginner for the first time on horseback, the
seat and the position of the hips are first shown him ] then
that of the thighs, of the legs and of the upper part of the
body; and finally that of the arms.

In sitting on horseback, the upper part of the body has
three points as a basis, viz : — the two seat-bones, and the end
of the spine, thus : J^\^. The hips by means of these, form a
basis for the upper part of the body, upon which depends
the correct position and carriage of the rider. They should
be placed perpendicularly on the saddle, in such a manner
that both seat-bones rest firmly and evenly upon it, and that
the end of the spine rests over the middle of the saddle.

22

If the hips be thrown too far back, the stomach becomes
drawn in, the back curves and the thighs are raised. If they
are thrown too far forward they leave the vertical position, the
upper part of the body loses its resting place, and a loss of
balance occurs, at the thighs and legs being at the same time
thrown backwards.

The thighs should be spread from the hips in such a man-
ner that they lie flat and press on the saddle, with the knee a
little forward. The degree of their slanting direction deter-
mines how far forward the knee should be, as when the knees
grasp the horse any different position of them would either
throw the hips back or raise them from the saddle. In the
former case the pushing forwards of the thighs, and in the
latter the drawing of them backwards produces this eifect. Al-
though the entire thigh be pressed against the saddle with the
inner side, it must not be done to such a degree that the posi-
tion becomes stiff or forced.

The legs should hang free from the knee joint, and rest na-
turally and easily, without stiffness or cramping, with the in-
side part against the horse.

The/oo^ should be placed in the stirrup as far as the ball
of the great toe, and kept straight so that the sole touches
lightly with its entire width the base of the stirrup.

The toes will always appear turned a little outward by means
of their natural relation to the legs.

The heel should be lowered in such a way that the muscles
of the thighs become extended or stretched out, but neither
the calves nor feet are stiffened ; as not only the holding of
the stirrups, but also the falling back of the thighs in their
original position, depend upon the mobility of the feet at the
ankle when the horse moves

As the rider settles well down into the saddle, his weight
will fall not only upon this, but through the thighs and legs
upon the stirrups also, the knees being straightened and the
ankles bent so that the heels are kept down.

In riding without stirrups the thighs should be well stretch-
ed, and the knees lowered ; and particular attention must be

23 —

paid lest the rider should hold on to the horse with the calves,
and that the seat rests with the entire weight of the upper
part of the body upon the saddle.

The position of ike upper part of the hod(j is next to be
considered. The &pinc above the hips should be drawn in as
much as their perpendicular position requires or allows

The hack of the rider must be pliable, but firm, as the force
of the jerks which he experiences through the movements of
the horse in trotting is by this means broken ; consequently,
he is not so much lifted, shaken or fatigued. The back should
be firm to resist the movements of the horse, which always go
from the rear to the front. In addition to this, the 'natural
formation of the joints of the spine renders the bending for-
wards much easier than bending backwards.

As the hands of the rider are, by means of the biidle, in
direct communication with the mouth of the horse, he is drawn
fonvard if the horse is heavy in hand, and will find it diificult
to become master of the horse unless his own back is firm.
During long rides, in consequence of fatigue, there is a ten-
dency to lean forwards — all of which furnishes good and suffi-
cient reasons why particular attention must be paid to the
keeping of a firm and pliable back.

The slio'aldcrs should be lowered, and both shoulder blades
drawn in. This taking in of the shoulders must be done in
such a manner that the chest is lifted out, without being-
stretched or strained. The drawhuj up of the shoulders pro-
duces a drawing in of the chest, which has a detrimental in-
fiuence upon the health of the rider and prevents his having
a graceful seat. The lowering of the one or the other of the
shoulders produces a drawing in of the corresponding hip;
and the drawing in of the hip acts in the same way upon the
shoulders.

The head should come out free from the shoulders, and the
neck be straightened a little backwards. This straightening
acts favorably upon the whole back, whilst the leaning for-
ward of the head produces a bending in the back, and prevents
the rider from taking a fi-ee view of the ground before him.

24

The beginner must now learn the (juiding of the hort<e, and
for that purpose, the snaffle reins are phiced in the proper
hands.

The upper arms from the shoulders to the elboAV should
hnng free near the body, without pressing (or drawing) them
to it. If the body were pressed by the elbows, it would pro-
duce a raising of the shoulders, and give to the hand a forced
and unnatural position -, holding the hand away from the body
renders it unsteady.

The forearms, from the elbows to the wrists, should close
easily to the body ; the hands— (turned in at the wrists so
that the thumbs face each other, and that both little fingers
are -turned rather towards the body) — are so placed that the
closed fists come in a position directly over and alongside the
pommel of the saddle, nbout four inches apart.

Tlie inner hand is placed on a level with the elbow, so that
the forearm forms a right angle with the upper arm; the
outer hand should be a hand's-breadth higher than the in-
ner one.

To obtain a steady and firm hand, the easy closing of the
arms is absolutely necessary, as otherwise the ytinig rider will
learn to stick them out awkwardly, and will acipiire a hard
and stifi" hand — not a steady and supple one.

In sitting on horseback, the body of the rider is divided
into two parts — movahlc and immovable. The former com-
prises the upper part of the body from the hips upwards, and
the legs, from the knee downwards, the foot and its joints in-
cluded The immovable part comprise the seat, the hips and
the thighs, which are in a manner inseparable from the saddle
and from the body of the horse, which immovability is best
obtained by allowing the legs their full weight, neither to bear
in the stirrups nor to close the knees unnaturally, as this ex-
ertion of the flexors draws them rather up, which fault in-
creases with each cadence of the trot or the gallop, instead of
the thighs being kept in their natural position by means of
the weight of the legs.

ItSeetiffit .i!/y//^ ^^

25

To acquire a proper and graceful seat, the head, the shoul-
ders, elbows, hips, and seat-bones must be in a vertical line,
which passes just behind the heels.

The principal changes from the usual seat, are the Fork-
seat, (where the hips take a direction forward) and the Chair-
seat (where they take a direction backwards, from the horizon-
tal line). In the fork-seat the knees and thighs fall too far
forwards.

Every body is apt to adopt in the first riding lessons such a
seat as according to his conformation is easiest for him. The
form of saddle, as well as the build and gait of the horse, have
a decided influence in this matter.

A proper selection of the horse, the seeking out, the proper
judging of, and the doing away with, the causes which hinder
the rider from obtaining a good seat, will bring the pupil on
much better than to keep him racing for hours around in the
school.

The instructor cannot too often place himself behind the
rider, so as to be able to observe the proper position of the hips
and shoulders.

At the time when the rider begins to guide with one hand,
with the right hand resting on the thigh, he is very apt to
displace his seat. The drawing in of the left hip, the drawing
up or the leaning backward or forward of the right shoulder,
are the faults ordinarily arising at this stage of a young rider's
progress. The teacher should not at the beginning endeavor
to improve all the irregularities of the seat, as he may thereby
confuse his scholar and make him nervous.

Care must have been taken by the teacher during the first
lessons to require the horizontal position of the hips,, the clos-
ing of the thighs, and the keeping up of the upper body. On-
ly when the seat of the rider becomes steady, is attention to
be paid to the guiding. In one word —he must require at the
beginning only that the rider sits on horseback — that he set-
tles himself in the saddle - and that ho awaits quietly the
movements; whether he has the stirrups near the heels, or
whether the hands arc unsteady, etc., is immaterial.

3

■ 26 —

In case tlie knees or legs are drawn back, before the thighs
and upper part of the body are in a firm and good position, one
is apt to acquire the forked seat.

The object of instruction in the riding school is to teach
the rider to follow the movements of the horse, and to resist
them, when necessary, with firmness and agility.

It often happens at the moving ofi", in quickening the gait,
or in putting the horse into a gallop, in other words when
the horse is started forwards, that the thighs of a rider ad-
vance, and that the upper part falls back ; or that in a sudden
stop or shying, the upper part of the body falls forwards.
These two faults arise from the rider not taking pains to fol-
low with the upper body the movements of the horse. The
hips, as before remarked, together with the seat-bones, form
the support of the upper body upon the saddle, and through
them the connection with the horse is established. If the
horse moves forward, and the upper body does not follow the
movements easily, it of course falls back, and the thighs being
stiff move forward.

If the horse stop suddenly, or slacken his gait without the
rider being prepared for it, the upper body naturally falls for-
wards. As the basis of the body is stopped suddenly, the
upper body must be thrown back to resist this movement and
to prevent the the falling forwards.

To resist the movement of rearing, the rider should lean the
upper body forward, so that he remains always in a vertical
line with the ground.

If the horse kick, the upper body, for the same reason, is
brought backwards.

In order to follow the movements of the horse, the rider
should, in turnuKj or in riding in a circle, lean a little to the
side towards which the turning takes place; through the neg-
lect of this, and especially when riding without stirrups, an
inexperienced rider is likely to be thrown to the opposite side.

The ability to keep the balance and to follow the horse in his
Various movements, — to remain firm in the saddle without hold-
ing on to the bridle, constitutes a really firm and steady seat,

27 •

SECTION 4.

Of the hiicJcUng of the Stirrups,

III order to accomplish proper buckling of the stirrups, the
rider must draw up his pantaloons well into the fork. The
instructor placing himself then behind the horse, is able to
judge whether the saddle is straight, and the rider in such a
position that the tip of his back-bone rests in the middle of it;
also, whether the horse stands straight on all his four feet.
He will now permit the rider to straighten out his thighs mo-
derately, lower his heels, and raise his toes. The lower part of
the stirrup, called the base, must, after these preliminaries,
hang one inch ?bove the top of the boot-heel. In this way
whenever the rider raises himself in the stirrups, there Avill be
a space of four fingers between his body and the saddle, which
in all cases is sufficient for the movement of the body.

The stirrups should be of such a length that the rider can
so raise or lift himself in the saddle as to strike a blow or
make a cut, without at the same time standing in them, or los-
ing his seat by drawing up the knees.

If the stirrups are buckled too short, the extending of the
thighs is prevented — the knees open and become pulled up,
and the whole seat loses its regularity and safety. If they arc
too long, the toes become lowered and the seat loose.

The foregoing rules are however subject to some exceptions.
In riding a hard-trotting horse, the stirrups, if of a proper
length, would be short for the ordinary gait.

The instructor must not be satisfied with examining the
stirrups when at a halt, but in all the movements.

SECTION 5.
On Dismounting.

Before the rider dismounts, the instructor should see that
the horse stands with the four feet in a straight line, with the
fore legs perpendicular, and with head erect.

28

At the command — ^'Prepare to Dismount" — the snaffle
reins are placed crosswise in the left hand ; the rider seizes
with the right hand a portion of the mane, places it in the
left hand, and holds it as already explained in mounting.

The right hand is then placed, — (the thumb upwards and
the four fingers downwards) upon the saddle pad, or side of
the saddle flap near the pommel, the right foot is withdrawn
from the stirrup, and left to fall naturally, and the body is
turned a little to the right.

In this position the rider awaits th3 command of— '^Dis-
mount !" — When this is given, with a straightened upper
body he lifts his right leg so high as not to touch with the
spur the croupe of the horse, and brings it with a moderate
spring of the body alongside of the left foot, while the right
hand leaves the saddle pad and seizes the cantle

The beginner should remain for a moment in that position,
(as in mounting), then the right hand leaves the cantle of. the
saddle, and the rider alights with the right foot as far back
upon the ground as was necessary iu mounting, so as to bring
himself near to the horse.

As soon as the right foot touches the ground, the right
hand takes hold of the strap of the stirrups, the left foot is
taken out of the stirrup, and placed next to the right one, the
rider makes a step sidewards to the side of the horse, and
turns on his left heel front ; the left hand leaves the mane
and the right one glides quietly down the left snaffle rein,
seizes both reins near the chin, and then takes the prescribed
position.

If the rider at the end of the lesson is commanded, — ''To
the Right — To the Left — March" — he takes the snaffle reins
down, fixes the stirrup, and if he brings the horse to the right
hand of the school, he leads him away on the left, and vice
versa.

The continual fear of falling off the horse makes every be-
ginner more or less timid, and is a great hindrance to the in-
structor. This is best overcome by permitting the rider to

2JJ

jump off the horse after he has become familiarized with
mounting and dismounting.

At the command — ^^Prepare to jump off" — the rider dis-
engages both feet from the stirrups, takes hold of the pommel
of the saddle with the right hand, and with the left seizes the
crest of the neck of the horse.

At the command — "Jump off" — he swings himself with
the arms and hips out of the saddle, brings the right leg
straight over the croupe of the horse, and jumps with closed
feet and a moderate bending of the knees, upon the balls of
the feet to the ground.

This exercise, which in time must be done while in walk-
ing also, (a second person should lead the horse meanwhile)
gives the rider a certain confidence instead of the dread of
fallino: off.

c

SECTION 6.
Of the Acfjion of the Reins.

The combined action of the reins and thighs has the effect
of giving the horse a correct and easy (quiet) position of the
head and neck.

When both bridles act evenly, the gait of the horse becomes
shortened ; and if both legs are pressed against the horse he
is obliged to bring the hind feet under, and to bend them.
By this means the forehand becomes raised— that is to say,
the horse is gathered and is prepared to execute any turn or
gait. This position of the horse is generally called ^^half-
parade."

If both reins be shortened still more, the horse is brought
to a stop (stand). His position is then termed a ^^ whole
parade."

If the reins are still drawn in cnrivy^ the linrse is compelled
to back.

By slackening both reins in going straight forward, the
]>ressuve of the bit beconies lessened, emd tlie horse is brouo-ht

30

to a quicker gait^ especially if it be accompauied with a pres-
sure of the legs.

As a general rule both reins should always be used to-
gether ; and it is only in certain emergencies that one or the
other has to act (work) separately. Still, each rein has some-
times to produce a separate effect, viz : — The inside rein
places the horse on the hand, and directs which way he is to
go ; it guides him in his movements — (in turnings) ; it acts
as an outward pressure in combination with the inside leg to
prevent the rear from coming io.

The outside rein raises up the neck and head. It counter-
acts somewhat in case the horse should obey the inside rein
too much, or if he should make a too short or a very sudden
turn. It also helps to bring the horse into the turn, and pre-
vents the croupe from breaking out.

We say, therefore, that the inside rein produces the posi-
tion and turning ; that the outside one determines the extent
of both, and that it helps to prevent the croupe from fall-
ing out

It should be impressed on the mind of the beginner, that
both reins should act together, but that neither one must in
terfcrc with the action of the other — that is to say, if one act
more than the other, that one must be slackened somewhat
for the movement.

In the same way, the tightening of the reins must be firm,
but never of long duration ; after each tightening, the hand
must slacken, and a repetition take place if necessary. By
this means, obedience is more readily obtained ; whereas, by
a continued tightening or pulling of the reins, the mouth of
the horse becomes dull and loses its sensibility and feeling.
It produces, also, a stiffness in the neck and in the joints.
Besides which, each tightening of one rein (conjointly with
the other rein) causes a retrograde movement of the hind leg
of the same side 3 for instance, the pulling of the'right rein
produces a stepping back of the right hind leg.

31 ■

SKCTION 7.

Of the Action of the Thighs and Legs, and of the

Seat.

The faults most frequently occurring in using the thighs
iHicl legs are : —

1. Turning or twisting them, by which, instead of touching
or pressing the horse with the inner or flat side, he is pressed
with the back part.

2. Drawing up and placing the heel too far back, or the in-
ward turning of the same, by which the horse becomes tickled
and harassed with the spur, producing in those that are nerv-
ous or restive many faults.

3. Pressing with the legs alone, instead of the increasing
pressure of the thighs and legs.

In all of these cases the power of the thighs acting through
the knees, is lost, — the legs are used without the necessary co-
operation of the inside of the thighs and knees, and the whole
is exceedingly faulty and produces no eifect.

The ordinary and proper position of the legs is hanging
down naturally from the knees by their own weight. To use
them with eifect, they should be placed flat on the horse with
the heel lowered, immediately behind the girth.

The eifect of either leg alone upon the horse produces a
turning of the croup to the opposite side ; he will move in
this manner until the pressure of the other leg checks him.

If both legs act evenly and at the same time, the hor^e will
move forward; if both legs act at the same time, but with un-
equal force, the horse will move forward, but sidewise at the
same time, obeying the impulse of the leg that presses most.

The rider must be taught from the beginning, that in using
the thighs, he must press downwards from the hips to the
knees, and thaf only after so doing should he use the legs ;
that this pressure must not be continual, but relaxed and in-

32

creased until the horse has understood the rider and obeyed
his will; also, that both, the legs and thig-hs, must act to-
gether, even if the action on one side should be stronger than
that on the other.

To have a proper effect upon the horse, the reins and thighs
must support each other, and it must be made a rule, that the
action of the reins should not only precede that of the thighs,
but must be combined with it proportionately.

In hachiwj, for instance, both legs ought to be applied at
the same time, to keep the croup upon a straight line. In
case the pressure of the legs should be stronger than is neces-
sary to accomplish this purpose, the horse will rear or ad
vance, instead of stepping backwards. This opposition arises
from the reins and legs not cooperating Only by a proper
use of the legs can the rider expect a certain effect in guiding.

The pressures and dead weights which ih.Q rider makes use
of by dividing and disposing of his bodily weight upon the
different sides and portions of the seat — especially upon the
seat-bones — or even by the adlitional settling of the weight
of the legs into one or the other of the stirrups, and the pos-
tures of the hips and the upper body, arc called siitlntj-hclpH,
and act differently and efTectually upon the horse.

With these sitting-helps, in conjunction vrith the reins and
legs, every horse can be mastered. A well-trained horse can
be ridden with them alone. The application of these helps
facilitates greatly the proper guiding; but it must not be a
continual slipping about in the saddle, or a throwing about of
the upper body from one side to the other. The rider must
always sit quietly in the middle of the saddle ; must execute
them unobserved, as occasion arises, by sitting down more or
less upon the seat-bones, by pressing forward or bringing back
the hip of the one side, or the whole upper body, or by the
more or less dropping of either leg by its own weight.

The special application of the helps will be spoken of. when
treatinii; of the different aaits and turninas.

SECTION 8.
Of the Spur,

The spur is used properly only wlicn strict obedience is ob-
tained by it, in the way of light or fine help. Experience
shows that this is accomplished with the greatest certainty by
repeated slight touches. The spur itself must have a short
neck, as the proper mode of using it is only possible with a
closely pressed calf. If the neck of the spur be long, the rider
cannot bring the leg sufficiently in connection with the horse
withojt using it, and the often repeated touch is not possible,
by reason of the resulting unsteadiness of the leg ; the eifcct
produced would then become jerking and starting.

This application of the spur, which requires some practice,
a firm sent, and a fine feeling, is called, in the old riding
books, pinching, and much has been written about it to make
very plain the requisite delicacy of feeling. It is looked upon
as one of the most scientific, and at the same time one of the
most successful points of horsemanship, as well for training as
for use in ordinary riding

Before using the spur, the rider should always endeavor to
obtain the desired end by pressing the calf; but if this be not
sufficient, an increased pressure is necessary until the touch of
the spur is the result of drawing in the heel. This must be
repeated, but the leg must remain close to the horse, and the
rider must feel exactly with hand and leg the yielding and
obedience produced by this help He must feel the different
results produced by the touch of the spur — short and striking
for general preparation, and easy and continuous for the side-
wise moving and for the position of the croupe.

As complete obedience is to be obtained by the use of the
spur, it must therefore be natural and possible to produce with
its help, full pliability, gathering and balance. But first it is
necessary that the rider should know exactly what effect he
wishes to produce, and why he uses this or that help for the
purpose. All that can be said in this respect is of such a
general nature, that upon slight reflection it is easily under-
stood— it being evident, that one can only obtain the desired

— 34

eucl if the right position be given, and he knows how to pro-
duce the right step.

Necessarily, in order to produce a combined effect, the ac-
tion of the curb upon the jaws, and of the spur upon the
flanks, must each be certain. The rider begins first with the
gathering on the spot, then in walking, then in trotting, and if
the horse is well gathered, in gallop, and even in the charge 3
in all these, but especially in the turnings, he tries to keep
the balance, and to produce a mobility. So as not to have to
combat at the beginning the full strength of the horse, he
may be gathered with the right hand and left spur in a
strongly bent position upon a diagonal line.

The great power, which the rider possesses by means of
the spur, and which can be used with an increasing and un-
bearable force, should for that reason, be applied with the
greatest caution. It is certainly one of the most difficult parts
of teaching horsemanship to give the rider the requisite knowl-
edge and tact for the use of the spur ; but it is especially im-
portant to impress upon him, in the clearest manner, the evil
effects and disadvantages of its abuse ; if he does not fully un-
derstand its use, — how he injures himself as well as the horse
by a strong application of it, and how he frequently obtains
the very reverse of what he desires. The horse in consequence
of such attacks or punches rushes forward into the hand, ex-
periencing considerable pain in the neck and loins, and is
thereby apt to go backward; whereas, a moderate and well
measured use of the spur makes the rider perfect master of his
horse, causing him at the same time to become well gathered,
Avhich for safe and active riding is of the utmost importance.
The rider must bear in mind, that hard punches of the spur
cannot produce this gathering.

Furthermore, by the above mentioned application of the
spur, the horse is brought so far that for ordinary purposes,
the pressure of the leg will suffice to obtain the desired effect,
and the rider himself acquires that accurate feeling, which is
absolutely neces.sary for any one to possess, who desires to be
with justice called a rider.

SECTION 9.
Of the Helps to the different Gaits, and of the Guid-
ing with the Reins in general.

The rider, in order to make the horse acquainted with his
will, must make use of certain movements of hand and leg, of
turning of the upper body, and shifting of his weight upon
different sides and places of the seat, — which movements are
called helps. By this word it is meant that one so communi-
cates with the horse, that the latter is actually helped thereby.

The helps must always be regulated according to the sus-
ceptibility of the horse, so as to insure the intended object.

They a-re termed rougli, if by them the horse becomes
startled or surprised.

They are termed increasing if the rider begins with a mild
pressure of the legs, or a turning of the hand, without punch-
ing or pulling, going on increasing until he has obtained his
object.

They are termed good, combined or in accordance, if the
rider has the stability to bring in harmony the hand, leg and
seat.

They are termed visible, if the rider makes large and far-
fetched motions of hand and leg.

Xhey are termed invisible, if the rider, through a good firm
seat and the right position of the hand by imperceptible move-
ments, attains his object.

The instructor must pay the utmost attention to enabling
the young rider to use good, combined and invisible helps.

The guiding is divided into two principal parts— the Snaffle
Rein Guiding and Curb Guiding. The general rules for good
guiding^ are applicable to both.

What is termed a gorjd, hand, is one that is ^fii'm, light and
sensitive.

The hand is ^/irm, if it is capable of remaining on all occa-
sions in the position which the rider intends to give it.

It is ^'lighf if it feels the bearing of the jaws upon the bit

It is ^'sensitive,'' if all its motions, from the gentlest to the

36

strongest, without jerking, increase by pressure, and dimin-
ish in the same manner.

How the reins should be held in guiding with the snaffle
has already been explained in Sect. 6.

SECTION 10.

Of the (raits of the Horse.

The gaits of the horse are — the icalk, the trot, the (/aUop,
and the charge.

The tempo refers to the quicker or slower execution of the
movements of each gait; as for instance, in the trot, the short
trot and the trotting out are the different temp<^ of that gait.

To increase or decrease the tempo, means to ride the same
gait either quicker or slower. For instance, to increase the
temjyo in gallop, means to make the gallop a faster one. But
to increase or decrease the gait, means to pass from a walk
into a trot, from a trot into a gallop ; or from a gallop into a
trot, or from the latter into a walk.

0/ the Walk. — The walk is for the rider the most comfort-
able, and for the horse the most natural, movement. In this
gait the horse leaves four distinct foot-prints. He begins the
step with one or the other foreleg; in case of beginning with
the right fore, the left hind leg follows ; then the left foreleg,
and at last the right hind leg.

The rider in this movement has the best opportunity to feel
distinctly the placing of each single leg under him. The gait
should not be short, as already remarked in Sect. 1, but live-
ly, and not too hurried. One hundred and twenty paces per
minute is generally calculated for an average walk.

0/ Ambling. — In ambling the horse goes either in a hur-
ried irregular succession of steps, or with both feet of the
same side together. As in all movements, (more especially
in the troop) it is necessary that the instructions, contained
in Sect. 6, be followed. A spirited high-blooded horse should
be moderated in his speed, and a lazy, sleepy one enlivened j
but neither must at anv time be allowed to amble*

37

It should be impressed upon the beginner, that in no move-
ment the tempo is to be made with the hands grasping the
reins, but that the art of the rider consists in guiding the
horse with a light, easy, and imperceptibly increasing hand.

In tuniing io the. right, the right hand is turned so that the
little finger is raised towards the middle of the chest, while
the left hand relaxes in proportion; the right leg is placed in
its natural position by the girth, the left, behind the girth ;
the upper body follows the movement easily, inclining to the
inner side.

In turning to the left, the movement is executed in the
same manner^but by inverse means.

As the horse places his weight always on the inner side,
the rider should be instructed to gather him accordingly be-
fore each turn, and to place more weight upon the inner
seat-bone ; he low^ers also his inner leg with its full weight,
drawing back his inner shoulder and hip, in a degree corre-
sponding to the turn, whether this be greater or smaller in
extent.

To gather the horse in the walk upon a straight line, both
hands are turned in with equal strength, the little fingers
turned towards the stomach, and both legs well applied be-
hind the girth, acting equally.

The rider must be instructed at the same time to use the
reins and legs in an increasing and diminishing manner, and
to renew this pressing and relaxing until the horse has exec-
uted his will.

The teacher should give to this subject his particular at"
tention ; for by this instruction he lays the first foundation
for conveying to the rider the combined action of reins, legs
and seat, which prepares him for all difficult manoeuvres.

Upon the command oi^^^Wall-'' — '^ March!'' — the fore-
hand of the horse becomes somewhat raised by the turning of
the two little fingers towards the stomach, both legs are made
to press evenly, and the hands relax again gently; the upper
body is well adjusted, so that it neither falls forward or back^

4

• 38

ward. After a few steps the legs are allowed to take their
original position.

As soon as the horse is under way, the rider must endeavor
to keep him on a straight line, so that he places the hind feet
on the same line with the front feet, ; he must also try to
maintain an even tempo during the turning.

(The instructor, at the beginning, should walk near the
rider, to remind him to retain a good seat, and a natural and
easy position.)

When the rider comes to the wall of the riding school, or
to the enclosing line, (if the school consists of a laid out
square) he should be duly reminded of the above mentioned
helps.

In riding through the corners of the school or laid out
square, the instructor must see to it, that the rider does not
pull the horse s head toicards the outer side, and that he does
not permit him to pass by them in his own way, but must do
so by the acting of both reins, and by the predominant action
of the inner rein and kfj ; that the croup is well guarded,
and that with both reins, but especially by the cooperation of
the outside rein, the horse is guided out of the corners.

In regard to the help of the leg, it is often the case, that
the outer leg is used singly, which is extremely faulty, as the
simultaneous cooperation of the inn^t one facilitates the turn-
ing. The leg, which should act the most, is decided accord-
ing to the kind of turning, (as will be more fully explained
hereafter in treating of that subject.)

Another fault, which very frequently occurs, is, that the
outer hand is crossed in turning over the neck of the horse,
which must not be permitted.

That side, to which the horse is bent, is called the inside;
the other is called the outside. The rider rides in the school
on that handy which is turned toward the middle of the school.
But it may often occur, that upon the right hand, (according
to the position of the horse's head) the left side becomes the
inner side, and vice versA.

In reo;ard to the position of the head of the horse, in bend-

39

ing to the right or to the left, the rider should be taught^ that
this must be doue with a raised neck, in the neck joint behind
the neck strap — (the point where the head connects with the
neck ) This is most readily perceived in looking over the
horse's head.

At the c(.mmencement, the beginner is often ordered to
halt, that he may re-arrange his seat, which has become dis-
placed, and to make him comprehend the helps, in halting as
well as in starting.

Upon the command of "Halt!'' the rider must gather his
horse, by lowering and closing both legs, and raising both
hands with the little finger in a straight direction upwards to-
wards the stomach When the horse is brought to a stand-
still, the hands must relax, so that he does not step backwards.

At the beginning, the rider must be taught to relax the
hand gently after each turning, after the shortening of any
gait, or after halting, whatever may be the gait.

He must by degrees learn to feel the sensitiveness of the
horse, in order to judge in any gait, how strongly the reins
should be drawn, and the legs applied, so that the horse may
execute his wishes willingly, without creeping back, shaking
the head, or moving right or left.

Upon the command of March, the beforementioned helps
are repeated.

After the close of the instruction, the teacher commands.
Rich up! whereupon the rider turns his horse towards the
middle of the riding school, and advances to the centre, where
he remains standing, placing him in a straight position.

SECTION 11.
Of the straigJit position of the Horse.

In the beginning, the rider must be taught to place his
horse straight upon all four legs, and how to acquire the per-
ception, that this is properly accomplished.

If both forelegs stand back under the belly, the rider will
feel a lowering in the forehand ; if only one foot stand back,

40

he will perceive it at once by a glance upon the edge of the
shoulder; if the horse stand spread, he will feel a sinking in
the back ; if he stand with his hind feet under his belly, the
rider feels a rising under his seat; if he rest upon a single
hindfoot, the rider feels on the same side a lowering or sink-
ing under the seat; finally, if the rider feel one of his shoul-
ders thrown forward, the horse stands with the rear towards
the same side.

From either of these faulty positions, the horse must be
brought into the proper one, by a gentle feeling of the reins,
and by an increasing pressure of the thighs.

It is very useful and necessary, not only for a good position
in forming a line, but for the rider's own feeling, to call his
attention to the fact, and to show him, that the horse is able
to move off well, only when he stands perpendicularly upon
his four legs. It is of the utmost importance then, that he
be always placed in a ^straight line.

To make it a habit with the beginner, the instructor should
see to it, that the horse at each and every deviation be brought
back to a straight line, in oder to prepare the rider for the
very important exercise of making him move off straight.

If the teacher perceives, that the rider does not feel the
crooked or uneven position of the horse, he must call his at-
tention thereto by repeated questionings as to which of the
legs stand forward or backward.

SECTION 12.

Of riding in a Btraight Line, and tvithoid the Assis-
tance of the Wall as a Guide.

This exercise serves to teach the pupil to ride straight out,
even without the guidance of the wall, where the instructor
has, at the same time the best opportunity of observing the
position of the outside leg. Upon the command given when
along the wall — ^^Half HclwolV — the rider must turn his
horse when in the middle of the riding school, and ride

41

straight across the school, turning his horse on the other side
in the same direction whence he came.

Upon the command given when along the wall, — ^^ Right
(or left) turn!'' — (according to the position of the rider) he
should turn his horse to the proper side, riding straight across
the school, and arriving at the opposite wall, he must follow
on the same hand.

Upon the command given, when along the short wall, —
^^Ont of the middle!'' — the riding school is crossed from the
centre of the short wall in its whole length, and after having
arrived at the opposite side, the rider must again follow on
the same hand.

SECTION 13.
Of Changing*

After a few rounds, and when the rider begins to under-
stand the advantages in turning, the instructor permits him
to change from the right to the left hand. For this purpose
he commands — '^Change!'' — when the rider has reached the
long wall from the short one, nine paces out of the corner;
whereupon, he turns the horse forward to the right, and cros-
ses the square of the school diagonally in such a way, that he
arrives at the opposite wall nine paces from the corner. He
should arrive from the corner that number of paces in order
to prepare his horse for the left turning, and have sufficient
time to change in this corner the position of the horse.

During the time he is riding in the diagonal line, the
horse's head must be kept on the inside rein, or in other
words, still to the right ; and the outside, (or left) leg must
be placed well behind the girth. Upon arriving at the other
wall, the horse is changed to the other hand — he is turned
left, and the position of the head is therefore altered by this
changing of the reins and pressing of the legs. To change
from left to right, the opposite helps are to be employed.

The rider must throw both shoulders back at each oom-
mand, so that the upper body is not thi*own forward.

42

SECTION 14.

Of Trotting,

The trot is for tlie begin ner the most constant exercise, but
the most difficult movement of the horse; it disturbs the seat,
but at the same time contributes most to make it firm and
stead}^ It should therefore be practised thoroughly.

In trotting, the horse steps forward with both diagonal feet
at the same time, and in so doing, shows two hoof-prints.

At the commencement it is customary to pass from the
walk into the trot, and from the latter back again into fhe
walk, for which movements the instructor commands — '■'• Trot^^
— "March" — and afterwards — " WaW — "March !" — To pass
from walk into trot, the same helps serve, only in a some-
what stronger manner as in starting into a walk.

An even tempo is the great art in trotting, and can only be
acquired by a quiet settled seat, and an even light guiding.

The trotting tempo consists in about 250 paces per minute,
and the trotting out in about 300 paces.

In the beginning, the rider should be exercised in a slow
trot, and afterwards in a quicker one. He must be instructed,
that if the horse increase his speed, he should draw in both
reins ; and if he slacken his gait, he should keep up an even
tempoy by raising the hands and pressing more strongly with
the legs.

To pass from the trot into the walk the same helps are ap-
plied as in halting from the walk. The rider keeps the legs
pressed to the horse until the latter has adopted the tempo ;
the reins are then slackened, and the legs brought into their
original position.

In turning towards the right or left in trotting, the seat,
reins and legs act in the same manner as in the walk, with
the exception, that the rider must be taught to lean a little
more to the inside, to adapt himself to the stronger (shaking)
movement.

To pass at once, from the walk into the trot, the start must
bo given to the horse in the same way as if the rider desired

43

to walk him, only the helps must be increased immediately
and until he adopts the right movement.

Very frequently the rider commits in this movement the
fault of leaning forward with the upper body, to let the reins
go loose, instead of easing the forehand of the horse by a light
raising of the weight, and riding on with a straightened upper
body, and an increasing pressuie of the legs.

Should the command of — ^'Atlention — Halt!" — be ordered
during the trot, the same helps are to be resorted to as in the
halt from a w;dk, only in a manner more decided.

To increase the tempo of the trot, the same helps are re-
peated as in passing from a walk into the trot; and for the
shortening of this gait the same helps are applied as is pass-
ing from the trot into walk.

(The teacher should make the rider understand, that the
changing from one gait to another, should be executed in an
even manner, and by means of increasing heljDS ; any hurry-
ing by sudden pushings or jerkings of the legs is disadvant-
ageous.)

In trotting out, as in all quick gaits, little or no gathering
of the head, cither outside or inside, is possible, as the horse
can only go briskly forward into the reins with jf straight head
and neck.

The command for an increased tempo is — ^'■Trot out —
March f for a shortening of the gait — "Slow Trot—3Iarch."

The teacher should see that the rider goes well into the
corners in the slow trot, and that the horse is again well
turned out of them in an even and steady tempo, without
hesitating; also, that in trotting out, the corners are well
rounded, because the horse is more stretched, and a sudden
turning can only be very injurious to him.

As the exercises in the riding school are, at the beginning,
very fatiguing, a halt is ordered occasionally, to give the rider
time to recover himself, when the rider takes the whip and
both reins crosswise into the outer hand, having the inner
one at rest. If he has already received some instruction in
trotting, and has learned to keep his body in balance, exercise

44

in the walk and trotting loifhouf stirrups may be taken, as by
this means he will acquire a firm and settled seat, and more
confidence in himself.

A short trot, in the commencement, should be ridden; and
repeated stoppages be made in order not to fatigue the rider
too much.

In such lessons more attention must be paid to the right
position of the upper body, and the unconstrained position of
the thighs (the muscles of which must not by any means be
tightly contracted) than to the guiding.

The changes now spoken of must be executed, at the be-
ginning, only in the walk.

Finally, the instructor should see, that the pupil rides as
much upon the right, as upon the left hand, in order to ob-
tain an even seat.

SECTION 15.

0/ the Large Volte.

When the pupil has learned to ride in a straight line, and
to guide his horse in and out of the corners, then only, and
by no means fooner, can he be exercised in the large, and af-
terwards in the small volte — first in a walk, and afterwards in
trot on both hands.

The large volte is always practised out of the corner. In this
exercise the instructor places himself, when the rider conies
towards a corner, about ten paces from the same, and orders,
as soon as he begins to turn, — ^^ Large Volte !" — Whereupon
the rider describes a large circle around the teacher, and re-
peats the same until "Forwarch" is commanded.

The teacher must see that this exercise is ridden in an ex-
act circle, sufficiently large, and in the literal sense of the or-
der j since, in this case, the horse goes as it were between the
hand and the leg ; and the object of the large volte, or of the
riding in a circle, is obtained, viz : — the pupil is obliged to
use more combined and concerted helps, without which it is
impossible to keep the horse upon the circle.

45

As the large volte is nothing more than a continuous turn-
ing, the helps given upon this subject in Sect. 9, are to be
resorted to; in addition to this, care must be taken, that the
croup is well controlled by placing the outside leg firmly be-
hind the girth, to prevent the horse from breaking out

A skilful instructor will dwell upon this exercise of riding
in a circle for some time, as it is the best means of thoroughly
grounding the rider in the position, the movements of the
hands for turning, and the use of the legs.

In the walk, the instructor can better perceive and correct
the faults which the rider and horse commit ; whereas, in the
trot it is more difficult, because the movement of the horse is
more laborious for the rider; and as he must pay attention to
the firmness of his seat, he can consequently think less of the
proper guiding; the instructor has also the best opportunity
of observing if the outside leg be well applied by placing him-
self on the outer side.

SECTION 10.

Of the Small Volte.

The small volte is distinguished from the large volte, inas-
much as the circle of the former is smaller in diameter. In the
large volte, if several ride together, they follow each other;
whilst in the small volte, each rider for himself describes a
circle in the same direction. It can be executed not only from
oat of the corner, but also, from the long wall; and if several
ride together, it must be executed from the long wall.

All the observations made as to the large volte are appli-
cable also to the small one, with the remark, that the size of
the circle to be described, is to be calculated in accordance
with the skilfulness of horse and rider; that is to say, the
shorter the tempo, the smaller is the circle that can be ridden,
and the smaller and more exact the circle, the more agility is
required from rider and horse.

During the execution of the first quarter of the circle, the
inside leg should act predominantly ; during the second and

46

third quarters, the outside, and during the last quarter of the
circle^ the inside one again acts most.

The small volte, upon that command, is to be repeated ei-
ther in the walk or trot until ^^forwards'' is ordered; whereas,
in the gallop, it is only executed once, at the termination of
which the pupil rides straight ahead without any further or-
ders. If the rider understand well the movement in the walk,
both voltes must be exercised on both hands, right (and left)
in trot as well as in gallop.

SECTION 17.
Of the Changing short-about.

By means of exercises in the large and small voltes, and
their thorough comprehension, the rider has become prepared
for the changing out of the small volte, which contributes con-
siderably to his activity and suppleness.

The instructor, during the riding straight ahead, commands
— '^ Right {left) ahoiit — change!"

Upon the command "Right (^or left) about," the horse is
gathered, so that he lightly leans on the croup, and the fore-
hand is eased for a free movement.

Upon the command — "Change!" — the turning of tlte horse
follows in a small circle to the other hand.

It is necessary to observe here, that tha horse is never
pulled around upon the spot, but that he is turned around in
a small circle. The same rule applies to all turnings that are
executed in an active forward movement.

At the commencement of this movement the same rules
apply as in the small volte ; but in the second half the out-
side leg must be well applied, and an oblique direction taken
towards the wall. The position of the horse's head is changed
only on arriving at the wall.

With more advanced riders, the second half of the turn
about movement, if made in the walk, must be executed with
a half-travers, obliquely forward to the wall, as described in
Sect. 23, on that subject.

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47

In the plan (Fig. 1) the movement of the horse is given,
not only for this sort of a short turning, but also in Fig. 2 for
the small volte. By these lessons, and especially if the rider
understands properly the exercise in the walk, (which should
afterwards be executed in trot, and then in gallop) he learns
how to handle the horse with reflection, and without causing
him any injury in the movement.

It is to be observed, that for greater precaution against in-
jury to the horse in all quick and sharp gaits, the changing
must take place more in a forward direction, and in a circle
of greater dimensions. In trotting out, or in the extended
gallop, this changing about must not be undertaken.

SECTiON 18.
Of the Turning Eight and Left upon one Spot.

The turnings to the right and left, to right about and left
about, are only taught to the rider when he is firm in his seat,
and sufficiently instructed in guiding; in one word, when he
. is able to ride in his place in the file. They must be executed
about the centre of the horse, so that the forehand and croup
move equally in opposite directions. They can be eff"ected on
the haunches also, and thereby the easy turning of the fore-
hand around the rear is acquired, showing at the same time
the skill of the rider as a rider, and the thorough training of
the horse. These exercises upon the spot are especially in-
structive, inasmuch as they show the rider plainly the efi"ect
of rein and leg ; they are also accompanied with the least fa-
tigue to teacher or horse.

The turnings upon the centre are those that occur most
frequently; for any riding through the corners or in the cir-
cle is already a continued turning upon the centre during the
gait. They are executed upon the command of ^^ Rigid (or
left) turn— March!'' '^ Rigid (or left) ahoid — MarchV'—is
only a double right or left turn.

To execute these turns properly from a state of repose, that
is, upon the spot, so that the girth is the centre or axis upon

48

which the horse turns, the rider should raise the horse some-
what with the reins, and press him forward with the legs,
and in the movement the horse prepares himself to move for-
ward, and the rider turns the hand in the manner already
described in the direction commanded. In this manner the
forehand is led, and whilst the inner leg is pressed on, the
croup moves toward the other side, so that the horse moves
as much with the croup from the straight line as with the
forehand, but in the opposite directions, consequently all
four feet are moved equally. The outside leg is kept near by,
just feeling the horse ; to finish off the turning, the outside
rein and leg are brought into play, both reins are at once
slackened, and the horse is placed in a straight position.

To produce the turnings upon the haunches in a state of
repose — ^^Rigltt (or left) Turn" — or ^'Eight (irft) About —
March" — is commanded; whereupon the horse, by a raising
of the reins, and by a pushing forward of the legs, is put into
a forward movement ; the outside leg must be jilaced firmly
behind the girth, to prevent the haunches from moving more
than to produce the steps of the hindlegs — the inner leg form-
ing the principal base and the centre of the circle which the
forehand must describe. The inside rein guides the forehand,
and the inner leg prevents the horse from creeping backward.

To finish off" this turning, the outside rein is gathered, both
reins are then slackened, and the horse is placed straight.

SECTION 19.
0/ the Bendinc/.

In practising the turnings upon the spot, the bending of
the horse, and the bringing in of the head is to be explained
to the rider, and to be practised by him, so that he can apply
it with young horses.

For this purpose the horse must first of all be placed straight
on his/oi/r feet — the rider's thighs beiog placed so near, that
he does not move backward upon the acting of the reins.

49

Now in order to bend the horse with the snaffle^ upon the
command of — '-Horse s head to the Right!" — the neck must
be somewhat raised with the reius; the inner (in this instance
the right) hand turned screw-like, inwards and upwards, until
the horse brings in his neck in the joint so much, that any-
one standing near his neck with the face turned toward it,
woukl look straight into the animal's fiice. The left rein is
held proportionally in opposition, so that the horse does not
bend too quickly or too much, and only in the neck.

The practice often followed of tugging and plucking at the
inner hand and reins without any feeling of guiding, must by
no means be allowed.

In this position both reins are kept until the horse chews
the bit, which is produced by a gentle reminder of the legs.
The head must be continually in a perpendicular line with
the ground, as otherwise the bend will be incomplete, and
consequently the facility of guiding imperfect.

When the horse has been for some little time in this posi-
tion he is returned to his natural one, at the command of
"Replace!" the left rein being brought to act in such mannei
that it by degrees brings the head into a straight position.

Upon the command— ''^or.sc's head to the Left !"^t[iG
opposite movement is executed, in a similar manner, but by
inverse means.

The bringing in of the horse's head is more of an exercise
with the curb, which is fully set forth in Sect. 32. When
used in moderation, and not too long at a time, it helps great-
ly to prepare the horse for the guiding, and to keep him al-
ways obedient to the reins,

SECTION 20.

0/ Backing.

The horse should back slowly, step by step, with neck erect,
lowered back and bent haunches, so that the rider has always
the feeling that he might at any moment make him either go
forward or halt.

5

50

During the execution of this movement the instructor places
himself directly in front of the rider, so as to observe whether
the horse is placed straight, and then only commands — ^'Bacl--
wards — March"; when the horse is put in motion somewhat
forwards (before the commencement of going baci. wards) by a
combined action of hand and leg ; the upper body is well sus-
tained, and the seat is firmly kept in the saddle ; the little
fingers of the hands are raised, or turned screw-like towards
the stomach, never drawing, but rather pressing and yielding;
both legs remaining near the horse, to keep the croup in a
straight line, to push him forward if he should hurry, and
prevent him from backing further if it is desired to stop.

Correct backing can only be accomplished with ease, when
the rider feels the treading of the hindfoot beneath him, and
lets one hindfoot after the other tread backwards, with alter
nate increased pressure of the rein of the same side, and cor-
rect cooperation of the legs.

If the croup deviates from the straight lino, it is not suffi-
cient to hold in opposition the corresponding leg, but the rein
of the same side must also act somewhat more strongly.

Upon the command — ''Halt" — the rider places his horse
straight forwards, gradually slackens the reins, and diminishes
the pressure of rein and Irj only when the horse stands quiet.

During backing, — upon the command of "Forward —
March" — the horse can, without stopping, be put in a for-
ward movement, with all the before mentioned helps for start-
ing, by which means the pupil's attention is better kept up.

That the rider must not by any means fall forwards with
the upper body ; and that he must properly draw back his
shoulder blades is understood as a matter of course.

The start must never be given into a trot or gallop from
the backing motion. When either of these gait are desired,
the rider must first halt from backing before so doing.

51

SECTION 21?

Of the Sldewlse Movements^ known as the Travers
or Passage.

Those movements constitute^ what is called by the French
writers the ^^ Manege de deux pistes.''

La piste is an imaginary line, upon which the horse is made
to walk. When the hind legs follow the same line as the fore
ones, the horse is said to go d'une piste, or on one line. He
goes de deux pistes, or on two lines, when his hind legs pass
along a line parallel to that traced by the forelegs.

When the horse places the hind feet in a straight line into
the hoof-prints of the fore feet, it is called a simple gait. But
when the fore and hind feet, each pair for themselves, tread
in two parallel lines, as in the Travers, where the movement
of the horse's legs is fraiu one side to the other, at right an-
gles to his spine, it is called a double gait.

A Passage (Travers) to be well executed, not only serves
to give a horse the necessary suppleness, to make him under*
stand the meaning of hand and leg, and to accustom him to
them, but also gives the rider a right idea of the position of
the horse, and of the manner of making use of hand and leg.

Before making a change from the straight gait into a pas-
sage, the rider must always gather Ids horse.

The weight of the rider must then fall towards the inner
side of the inside seat-bone, and particular attention must be
paid that the weight does not lie on the other side, which is
that of the driving:: Ic";.

The leg which does not drive the horse sidewise, must al-
ways be ready to push him forwards in case he should hold
back.

The tempo or gait must be slow and even; the position and
direction of the horse must alwa3^s remain the same, so that
neither the fore nor hind legs are hurried, or checked.

The making a change from the passage to the volte, serves
not only to teach the rider the use of hand and leg, but serves

' 52

also to make the horse obey in a deoided manner the move-
ments of the hand. The forehand must always precede the
croup, as otherwise, the horse is apt to strike himself in the
knees, to tread on the coronet, and to get out of position ; he
will not bend in the ribs behind the shoulders, and his hind
leg, being uncontrolled, will be improperly placed.

Kepeated stops serve to show whether the rider has the
horse under control with hand and leg, as otherwise the horse,
before coming to a halt, will, as it were, sway about. The
teacher will then also have an opportunity to bring the hands
again in a right position, and to correct the seat, which young
riders are in their first lessons very apt to derange.

The passage in the beginning is only to be executed in the
walk.

SECTION 22.
Of the Head or Shoulder inwards.

{L'epaule en dedans.)

■ This exercise is to be first executed in a wide circle, or large
volte ; and in passing to the '^shoulder inwards,'' the position
of the horse is as follows : —

The head of the horse is a little more bent to the inner side
than is the case in riding the large volte; the feet are so
placed that the inside hind hoof treads pretty nearly in the
circular line described by the outside forefoot ; the inside feet
go forwards and over the outside ones. — Should the croup be
driven more to the outside than just mentioned, the horse
will find it difiicult to step over with the hind feet, as the
sidewise steps become too large; or should the horse with the
croup step backwards, the object is not attained, as instead of
making the horse supple in the croup, he is made stiff in the
shoulders, and is apt to move with a stiiF back.

The means at the disposal of the rider are : — to produce
through the pressure of the hand upon the inner rein, a more
gathered or higher position of the head, and to bring the fore-
part of the horse more in a circle ; the outside rein must in-
dicate how far he is to go in this position.

53

By placing the inner leg upon the girth, the rider drives
the horse sidewise, and helps to bend him ; the outside leg,
placed as it is behind the girth, determines how far the croup
is to come out, and helps to push the horse forward, or to
keep him back, in case he should linger or hurry with the
croup. The seat help is by the weight on the inner seat-bone,
— the shoulder and hip placed somewhat back.

In passing into the straight gait, the croup remains in its
position or line, and the forepart is brought in slowly.

To exercise "the shoulder inside" in the school or quad-
rangle, the rider must use the same means as in the turn —
bringing the horse one pace away from the wall with the fore-
hand. As soon as the horse is in that position, the reins
must be somewhat relaxed, and the legs used in the above
mentioned manner, so as to produce the double hoof -heat.

Should the horse lose the position, or try to get out of it,
the rider must recur to the first exercise.

To pass the corners, the reins must be steadied, the inner
leg must be used more strongly, and the horse must be led
through them in a bent position, and with the double lioof-
beat.

It often happens that in this exercise the rider begins the
movement too soon, by bringing the forepart of the horse too
far away from the wall, by which he loses his object.

To pass from the ^^shoulder inside" into the half-travers (or
renvers), both legs must first press the horse in the same po-
sition a few paces forward, and then go over into linlf-travera
(as in the next Section.)

SECTION 23.
Of the Half- Tr avers or Renvers.

This exercise is executed either through the whole riding
school forwards, on the line of the ordinary diagonal (change),
or from the middle of the short wall forwards to the middle of
the long wall.

Jn the former case, when the rider is passino; throuo:h the

54

corner J and has reached the long wall, the command is as fol-
iQTjyrg . — <'From the corner change into Renvers," — (or half-
travers) ; in the latter case, "from the middle chcim/e into
half -tr avers."

The rider must in both cases ride nine paces straight for-
wards, place the horse in a diagonal line, then bring him over
little by little into haJf-jyassage or renvers.

The position of the horse will then be as follows : — The
head of the horse remains placed, during this change, upon
the inside rein ; the middle part of the horse is bent, and the
outer feet tread a little over the inner ones.

The helps given by the rider are : — In turning into the
diagonal line, the rider must already have brought the outside
leg well behind the girth, the inside leg remaining close to
the horse. By an increased pressure upon the inside rein, a
good position of the head is secured ; the rider's outside leg-
compels the croup to follow, while the inside leg is always in
readiness to push the horse forward, and to prevent the croup
from breaking out ; the weight of the rider should fall more
upon the inside seat bone. As soon as the pupil arrives at
the other wall, he changes his position without further com-
mand and rides straight forward.

SECTION 24.
Of the Croup inside; or Head to the WalL

{Tt'ie CIV Miir.)

This exercise is to be performed as follows :— After having
given the right position to the head of the horse by bending
it upon the inside rein, keeping the outside one on the neck,
it is necessary to retain the horse with both reins against the
outside hindfoot (in the case of the croup inside to the right)
with the position of the head towards the right, as in passing
into the gallop ; the outside leg must be pressed so far behind
the girth, that the croup comes one pace away from the wall.
The inside leg pushes the horse forward into the inside rein,
.and prevents the croup fiom hurrying. Horses most general-

55

ly are inclined to hold back ; the rider must be careful, there-
fore, to keep the horse's head so much away from the wall as
to be able to push him forward in case of need

In turning in this passage, the hands must rather turn the
forepart of the horse quickly, while at the same time the in-
side leg, by steady counter pressure, shortens the steps of the
hindfeet. The outside leg remains well behind the girth near
the horse, to carry along the croup in making the change.

This exercise gives the rider an idea of the position in
starting into the gallop, in which act also it happens too often
that the croup gets placed too far from the wall.

It is a most useful thing to try this passage along the mid-
dle of the school in a straight line away from the wall.

SECTION 25.
Of the full Passage.

[Travers.)

^^he. full Travers is made in a straight line sidewisc, as fol-
lows : — Upon the command — ^^ Passage left'^ {or right) — the
rider looks toward the side indicated ; upon the succeeding
— '^3Iarch!^' — the horse's head is turned to the side towards
which the rider wishes to go ; the forepart must somewhat
precede the croup; but the hoof-prints of the fore and hind
feet must be parallel.

The helps, which are required of the rider, are : — To raise
the horse somewhat with the bridle — to push him forward
with both legs — to turn the forehand to the side towards
which he wishes to go — to keep the outside leg behind the
girth so as to move the croup, and to use the inside one to
prevent the horse from holding back. The weight of the
rider is to be transferred somewhat to the inside.

To arrest the movement, upon the command — '^Uah!'' —
the reins must be somewhat gathered, and the inner leg be
well pressed on. The pupil must be taught to bring the horse
at once back to his usual position.

These movements can also be beirun while the horse is in

56

a walk; ill order to which^ the commaad is first given — ^'OtU
in the m'uJiUcF' — and when he has ridden several paces, —
^^ Passu (je Riijht (or left) /" — the rider must make use in the
s-mie way of the means above described, by bringing the horse
across in a straight line to the long wall, keeping line parallel
to it, and on arriving thereat, without further command, he
continues his way in the other direction.

If the pupil be riding on the right hand, the f ravers should
be made to the right; and if on the left hand, the f ravers is
made to the left.

It often happens that in making the t ravers, the inner leg
is but little used, or perhaps not at all ; and instead of plac-
ing the horse more upon the hand and guiding him, he is re-
tained towards the outer side ; for instance, in the passage to
the right, instead of guiding right, he is retained to the left,
as he should be in shoulder inside, cpanle en dedans, or in
starting in the gallop.

SECTION 26.
Of the Gallop.

In the preceding lessons the jaipil will have learned the
proper guiding of his horse as well as the different applica-
tions and uses of the legs, and is now sufficiently prepared to
begin with the gallop, from either the right or left side.

The gallop has three beats, at the lifting or putting down
of the four feet.

If we consider a horse galloping on the right hand, with
his right fore foot in advance, we observe at the moment of
rising, that he lifts in the first movement the right fore foot,
in the second one the left fore and right hind foot, and in
the third, the left hind foot, by which the whole body of the
animal is raised from the ground. The putting down of the
feet takes place in the reverse manner— the left hind foot is
put df)wn first, then the left fore and right hind simultaneous-
ly, finally the right fore foot comes to the ground and fin-
ishes the step.

57

III gallopinn; to the left the action of the feet in raising; and
putting them down, takes place in the inverse order to that
in galloping to the right.

There are two tempos of this gait, viz : — the gathered and
the extended gallop. In the former the weight of the horse
is more upon the haunches, while in the latter it is more
equally divided between front and rear ; the latter is there-
fore easier for the rider to accomplish than the former.

In instructing the rider in the tempo of the gathered gal-
lop, the teacher must not suffer it to become too short.

In the riding room, upon the r'ujlit liand, (and in all turn-
ings to the right) the horse must gallop right; and upon the
left hand, gallop left. The rider should be thoroughly in-
structed to start his horse in gallop on either hand, right or
left, without a wall, upon the command of the instructor, and
to keep up this gait until some other command is given.

In order to start properly on the right, he should bring the
horse into the following position. —The instructor lets the pu-
pil start in a walk, and remarks to him that in consequence
of preceding explanations, upon the preparatory word — gal-
lop— both reins with rounded wrist joints are tightened in
the direction toward the outside (in this case the left) hind
foot; the upper body is placed firmly in the saddle; the
weight of the body bears rather on the left seat-bone ; the
right leg is kept close to the horse at the girth, the left one
behind the girth. The horse will by these helps place the
head and croup somewhat to the side toward which he is to
be started, which in this case is to the right. The rider still
advancing in a walk, awaits in this position the word —
"3Iaoxh!" — which the instructor must not give until the
horse is in the position just described, and then not suddenly
nor sharply, but in rather a drawling manner; the horse will
then fall correctly into the gallop to the right, if he is driven
with both legs, the outside one acting a little more strongly.
The rider must then endeavor to keep up an even tempo
(gait) by a gentle relaxing and retain hig of the reins — by

■ 58

repeated helps of the legs^ if the horse should slacken his gait
— or by a steadying of the seat if he should hurry.

A steady seat aids materially a light and even gait ; and an
easy quiet sitting in the saddle moderates an extended gallop
just at the moment when the horse rises with e^ichjumj), and
rests on the croup, which is called ^'to keep the gallop with
the seat."

The rule that in starting into the gallop, the outside rein
should be retained (a little tightened), and that the outside
leg must act more strongly, is often so misunderstood, that
the head, instead of being placed as above described, is drawn
outwards, and the inner leg is taken away from the horse and
stretched forwards, whereupon the hind quarters fall in with
the croup raised, in consequence of the immoderate pressure
of the outside leg alone.

In starting into the gallop, the rider must be impressed
with the importance of easing and raising the horse on the
inner fore foot. This is most easily accomplished when the
head and croup are placed a little towards the side on which
the horse shall start, and in order to this the inner leg must
cooperate strongly.

The mistake that happens very often with beginners is,
that after the horse has taken the correct gallop by the retain-
ing towards the outside hind leg (as for instance, in the gal-
lop to the right by retaining to the left) that this retaining to
the left is continued, by which the position of the horse be-
comes too much bent, so that he cannot raise himself properly
for the succeeding bounds, and, leaning in the forehand and
bearing against the reins, gallops with the croup inwards.

Immediately after starting into the gallop to the right, the
guiding, from a retaining to the left must change to a retain-
ing to the right, as by a special action with the inner rein the
forehand ought to be raised for each bound.

For turning in the gallop, the same helps serve as in the
walk or trot, only the outside leg should be placed a little
more behind the girth — in order without driving in the croup
to give it the right position. The weight of the body rests

51)

continually upon the outer seat-bone, and easily adapts itself
to the turning by a holding back of the inner side.

The gallop should not be too frequent or long continued, as
it fatigues the horse without advancing our object.

The pupil should first be taught to check the horse from a
gallop into a walk, and afterwards to halt from the gallop.
To pass from the gallop into a walk, the horse is in a measure
gathered (with the upper body well kept up) as explained for
riding in the walk.

After the horse has come into the walk, the hand as well
as the legs are somewhat relaxed.

To halt on the spot out of the gallop, both hands are raised
slightly, with the little fingers screwfashion towards the body,
— the upper body somewhat drawn back, — the legs, so as to
shove the rear under, are pressed on in the same position in
which they are, whereupon the horse is halted by the in-
creased drawing in of the reins, — both hands being then im-
mediately relaxed.

When the rider has so far progressed that he knows how to
use with accuracy the cooperating helps of hands and legs for
starting into a gallop to the right, and understands well how
to guide his horse upon the right hand, the teacher then al-
lows him to change in a walk on the other side, and reminds
him of the helps for the gallop to the left, which are analog-
ous to those for the riglit, but are applied inversely.

After the beginner has in this way received the first idea
of galloping to the right and to the left, starting out of the
walk, he is commanded to start from the standing position.

In order to do this, the horse must first be placed in mo-
tion as if the rider intended to start him in a walk ; immedi-
ately thereupon, the previously described helps to the gallop
are given, so that the pupil learns by degrees, and with con-
tinually increasing skill to make these helps act together, and
at the same moment. The rider must learn to give gradu-
ally increasing helps, in order not to startle the horse. The
teacher must not omit to remind him in starting from the
spot in trot or in gallop, to start with the same helps as from

60

rest into walk ; after this, follow the proper helps for the trot
or gallop. If this preparing of the gait be neglected, the dis-
advantageous eifect shows itself at once in an uneven starting
of the horse.

In order to pass from the trot into the gallop, the trot must
be shortened bj degrees, and the same help applied as for
starting from the walk.

The pupil must be instructed to seize the moment for start
ing, when the horse is in the act of raising the inner fore foot,
and in riding to the left, the left one. The most favorable
moment for this is in finishing a volte, or in riding through
a corner.

To pass from gallop into trot, the weight of the body must
first be placed evenly upon both seat-bones, and the gallop
should be finished by the same helps as in passing into the
walk from the trot; the hand must then be relaxed gently,
and the horse brought into the trot by a settling of the scat,
by a quiet pressing on of the legs, and by a well kept up posi-
tion of the upper body.

The mistake often happens in this exercise, that the rider
neglects to relax the hand at the right time when the horse
takes to the trot, — that he then falls back with the upper
body, and stretches out the legs.

If a horse be excited during the gallop, it is well to let him
take a few steps backwards after finishing the gait.

It is not enough that the rider understands how to use the
helps for starting into the gallop, he must be able, also, to dis-
tinguish by his '^rider-feeling" whether he gallops right or
left. To attain this end, the teacher must repeatedly explain
to the young rider the diiference in placing the horse's feet
between gallop right or left; that during gallop right, the
right legs, and during gallop left, the left ones are in advance.
It is well to allow a good galloping horse to be ridden by an-
other person in order to show him, that by the extending or
lifting of the inner legs of the horse, the whole inner side of
the rider, and especially his shoulder and leg are thrown for-

(31

■Wiivd ai)(l upAvavd. By feeling this movement duviup; the gaU
lop, lie will know whether the horse galloi)s right or left.

Tt fretjiientlj happens, either by the .stubbornness of the
htirse or the inexperienee of the rider, that he adopts a very
faulty gait, which is called the cro.<swm3 or (h'.^vnifrd ;/(iU'jp.
In this gait the feet are not set down naturally, and in the
proper succession. The horse, instead of starting, (if on the
right hand) with the right fore and hind feet, steps forward
with the right fore and left hind foot. The rider's attention
uiust be directed to the fact that in such a gait he feels very
irregular disagreeable knocks iu the seat ; and that in such a
case he should, by a liglit checking with the rains — (the jnill
being neither so firm nor so long continued as to cause him to
stop) — bring the horse to a walk in order to start anew in the
proper way.

If the horse against the will of the rider gallop to the left
instead of to the right, or vice versa, he is said to (jalloj) fahc.

That the rider may have a correct idea of the position iu
which a horse should be placed, to make it easiest to put hiui
into the gallop properly (that is either to the right or left) a
well trained animal should be used, who waits quietly until
the helps are given, (as before mentioned,) by retaining the
hand toward the ouUide left hind leg, and giving the neces-
sary pressure of the rider's outude leg until the head and croup
are somewhat placed inwards In this position the rider is
allowed to walk his horse in a short gait, and should repeat
the helps until he fully understaiids them.

If the rider has already acquired a thorough knowledge of
the starting on the long wall, it would be well to allow him to
exercise the same in the middle of the riding school, where it
will be easiest to demonstrate to him how necessary it is to
the proper Mdrtiitg into the gallop, to place the horse in the
position above explained. The neglect of this is the principal
mistake made by young i-iders, inasmuch as they are disposed
to start the horse into the gallop with the outside leg onJ>/, \i\\i\
by leaning forAvard with the upper body,— -forgetting entirely
that the lifting of the foj-ehand, (especially the easing of tho

62

inner foot) and the cooperation of the inner leg has been
omitted.

By the word ^^position" is to be understood not only the
bending of the horse to the right or to the left, but also the
raising and balancing.

When the rider has acquired through lessons and exercise
skill in starting his horse properly into a gallop on both hands,
he should then be allowed to try the large and small volte,
similar to that in trot. To this especial attention from the
teacher is required, that the volte, as well as the turnings in
the corners, are not made too short or upon a slippery ground;
also that an even tempo be kept up.

SECTION 27.
Of the Changing in Gallop.

The changing of the gallop is the last exercise for the pu-
pil in the riding school, and if executed with readiness and
skill is the most artistic. It forms the foundation of that per-
fect management of the horse, putting him at will into the
various gaits and movements, which is of the highest impor-
tance to the single rider.

If we observe a horse at full liberty, he will be seen to g.al-
lop sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left, accord-
iuir to the turnings he makes, and these changes are needful
for his own safety.

Should the horse not change in turning to the left, or omit
to place his two left feet forward, in order to take the weight
of his body, the rider risks falling with him. Besides, ex-
perience shows that by a persistent and continued galloping
to the right, the horse's left shoulder becomes lamed, imd
both left legs ruined. He must therefore be exercised in the
gallop as much to the right as to the left. It is essential, also,
to acquaint the rider with the helps, by means of which he
can make his horse gallop, according to his will, to either the
right or left, without dnnger to himself or injury to the
animal.

The .safest and most efficient preparation for the changing

bo

In the gallop Is to teach the litler to enter the gait to the right
and to the left with precision, in a straight line, away from
the wall, changing alternately and quickly. The command to
this effect is — ''Out in the 7mddle!" — and Immediately upon
this — "Right into Gallop!'^ — The rider then brings his horse
into the proper position ; and only then, the teacher com-
mands— "March!" — whereupon, the horse is quietly put into
a gallop to the right. If the horse has executed this move-
ment properly, the Instructor then commands — "WaUc!" —
and sees that a quiet walk Is ridden.

He then reverses the command to — '^Left in to Galloj) 1" —
when the rider brings his horse Into that position, and starts
upon the command of — "March!" — (if the position be a cor-
rect one) Into a gentle gallop. If the horse starts properly,
after a few bounds the command of — "WalJx!" — Is again
given.

The more correctly the helps are applied, the more quietly
the rider goes to work, and the more carefully a good position
is observed, the better the horse will start Into a gallop.

If the rider wish to start his horse In a gallop from the
spot, either to the right or left, on a line away from the wall,
he must bear well In mind all the previous observations, and
remember to use the pressure of the leg according to the sen-
sitiveness of the horse.

If the rider has acquired some proficiency In starting his
horse into the gallop to either the right or left upon the com-
mand, the teacher should allow him to change during the gal-
lop,— or rather to ride from one hand to the other, — without
the horse first changing his feet, and commands — "Change!"
— To this end, the rider is made to keep his horse in the same
position to the right until the teacher orders — "Walk!" —
which must take place on arriving at the long wall, about nine
paces fix)ni the corner. The horse Is then placed, while on a
gathered short walk, upon the left hand, and starts quietly to
the left upon the command of — "Gallop!" — "March!"

Here the same helps are brought into action, and in the same
manner as on the right, but inversely.

tl4 "

By these exevoises, tlie lidei^lu.s acfjuired the knowledge
that the dilFercnt positions of the horse alone can decide the
starting into a gallop to the right or to the left. With in-
creasing skill the horse is allowed finally to execute this
change entirely in the gallop.

As ^^diagonal" as well as ^^right" or ''left ab(.iit turn" is
only a sudden transition from one position to another, the
rider keeps his horse to the right until his head conies to the
wall — if he rides, for instance, in gallop to the right in chang-
ing in any way.

In order to pass from the right to the left, which is called
cliangi'ng, the horse is taken by a momentary check into a
walk, without any command, and is placed immediately upon
the other hand and started anew.

In changing from the left to the right everything is exec-
uted in a similar manner, but by inverse means.

Tn the foregoing explanations, all the requisite helps are
minutely described. That they are not misused or improperly
applied, depends entirely upon the judgment of the teacher,
as well as upon repeated practice enabling the pupil to re-
member how to apply them.

At every check the horse must be placed perfectly straight ;
and freedom of rein be given him.

It will now be time to permit the rider to pass from the
moderate, into an extended gallop, preparatory to the charge.

For increasing or shortening the gallop the same helps arc
applied as in the' trot. — The command for this former being
— '^/« the extended Gallop — March."

The rider must be instructed by increasing the helps gradu-
ally, and by an easy cooperation of the upper body, to bring
the horse into a quiet long stride, and to keep an even tempo.

The transition into a short gallop must, in like manner,
be made by degrees, upon the command of — "Short Gallop)!'^

In the extended gallop, which must never be kept up too
long, the corners should be more rounded than in the ordin-
ary gallop. In this gait five hundred paces are calculated to
the minute

05

Instruction in Riding zvith the Curl) and Guiding tvith

the Reins in one Hand,

SECTION 28.

Whcu throiigh the preceding lessons the rider is sufficient!}'
conversant with the snaffle reins and the guiding- with both
hands, the same exercises are rehearsed in the same manner
and in the same order, step by step, with the curb guiding
with one hand; to which has now to be added and explained,
only that which has a special bearing upon the guiding of the
horse in this manner.

The helps with the legs, in riding with the curb, are simi-
lar to those given in riding with the snaffle.

The pupil must be impressed with the fact, that the action
of the curb on the mouth of the horse is much stronger than
that of the snaffle, and that any manipulation must therefore
be executed with more caution, — never in a jerking way, but
always in a screw-like manner.

Whilo the guiding of the beginner is yet imperfect, he
should, in order to protect the horse's mouth, have the curb
chain rather loose, and ride with the right snaffle rein in the
right hand.

SECTION 29.
. Of the 3Iounting and Dismounting,

The pupil leads his horse with the right hand to the riding
school, with the curb chain fastened. He grasps the snaffle
reins immediately under the chin, placing his thumb and
forefinger upon both buckles of these reins, and takes his
position as prescribed in Sect. 2. The curb reins are passed
through a loop on the snaffle reins, so that the latter hang
down between the curb reins and the horse's neck.

The instructor then examines to see whether the horse is
properly saddled and bridled, — whether the curb chain is
properly hooked in, — and explains 1o the pupil that a chain

— GG - — -

too tigliiij hooked causes the hor.sc to defend hiiuself ag;.iust
the drawing in of the curb reins, and that with n chain too
hjose the curb bit has little or no eflbet.

Upon the command — ^'Rradij fn Afounf !" — the pujiil stops
sidewise, slides rpiietly the little finuer (»f the loft hand along
the left rein up to the horse's neck; lie then will; the san:o
finoer divides the reins, seizes with the right h.iml the upjier
end, draws down with the left hnnd the sliding button towards
the horse's nock, and thus shortens the reins, but not so much
as to cause him to back; he then throws the ends of the reins
over the knuckles, and prepares himself for mounting, as de-
scribed in Sect. 4, upon the command — ''3f()vnf !"

After having settled himself in the saddle and put his feet
in the stirrups, the rider seizes the reins with the right hand
close over the left ; he then lets go of the mane, keeps the
reins divided with the little finger, brings the sliding button
in the middle of the hand, and holds the latter immediately
over the pommel of the saddle. Whilst the left hand seizes
the reins in this manner, they arc drawn upwards with the
right to the end, and are thrown downwards to the right oxer
the knuckles of the left hand, which should be closed, and the
thumb laid flat upon the breadth of the reins. The right hand
is placed closed upon the upper part of the right thigh, so
that the thumb lies upon the knuckles of the forefinger, — the
little finger touches the seam of the pantaloons, causing therc-
y)y the right elbow to be taken back somewhat.

Upon the command — ^^ Recall/ for Dismounting^ — the rider
seizes with the right hand the end of the reins, and shortens
them with the left as much as necessary, but not so as to
make the horse uneasy, throws the upper part of the reins to
the right, takes a lock of the mane in the left hand, liolding
it as in mounting, and prepares himself for dismounting, as
prescribed in Sect. 5.

After dismounting the pupil takes a step to the left, slip-
ping at the same time the right hand downwards along the left
curb rein ; both snaffle reins are then seized with the right
hand below the chin, and the rider takes the already prescribed
position,

07

SKCTLON Hi).

Special in^t met ions for (juidhu/ ivifh fhe Curb in all

f/fe f/aiU.

Ill guiding with llio cnil), llic veins arc kept in tlie left liaiid
separated witli tlic little finger, and the movable sliding but-
ton is ke})t ill the middle of the hand. The left upper arm
hangs naturally from the ])ody; the forearm, without pressing
the elbow to the body, rests with the fleshy part upon the hip;
the hand, rounded in the wrist, is placed in such a way, that
the knuckles are in a straight line with the crest of the horse
standino- straight, so that the nails arc towards the middle of
the body. The hand must be kept close to the pommel of the
saddle,, without however, leaning upon it, and about a hand's
breadth from the body. The right hand, as explained in
Sect. 29, is placed upon the upper part of the thigh.

For gathering or reining in of the head and neck, the little
finger of the left hand should be turned upwards, screw-hl-c,
in a straight direction, towards the middle of the body, where-
by the rider ought to feel the acting of both reins evenly in the
hand. This movement of the hand serves to ease and raise the
forehand of the horse, in starting from the spot, to shorten the
step, to collect him, and to make him step back.

For slackening or relaxing, the little finger is turned in a
straight direction towards the horse's neck, by which movement
the pressure of the bit is diminished, and he is induced to
walk faster, or to keep himself less gathered or reined in.

In riding with the curb it is yet more essential than with
the snaffle that the rider, by an often repeated play or turning
of the hand, by a gathering and relaxing, should keep the
horse's mouth fresh in feeling.

In moving to the ri(/hf, the hand with rounded wrist, and
with the little finger pointed upwards, is turned screw-like,
towards the right side of the breast, by whicb both reins ought
the act — the right one first, and a little more strongly than
the left.

In moving to the Uff, the little finger with the wrist rounded,

G8 ^

is turned towards the left hip, and tlie elbow is taken some-
what back, by which means both reins ought to act, but in the
opposite direction to that in turning to the right.

The rider must be instructed that the hand should be re-
laxed after each turning, and brought into its normal position
in front of the body, with the thumb uppermost.

To start into f/allop rujht, the left hand is turned somewhat
tovrards the left hind foot, so that the arm is somewhat pushed
back. The horse then feels both reins, the inner one, how-
ever a little more strongly. By this means the horse is kept
upon the hand on which he is to start into the gallop.

To start into gallop left, the left hand is turned in such a
way towards the horse's right hind leg that the hand is brought
somewhat toward the right side, by which the rider feels the
left rein below the palm of the left hand a little more strongly.

The hand should be always well closed, making a fist, with
the fingers lying flat and bent only in the middle joints ; its
position must be perpendicular, — and each turning for a move-
ment should take place around the centre of its position, and
must not degenerate into a pulling to one side or the other.

In riding with the curb, the pupil must, with each and
every turn he makes, in any gait, — walk, trot, or gallop — be
allowed to adjust the reins without the right hand. The inner
rein uiust always be somewhat shorter in the hand than the
outer one, so that the horse is on that Jiajid to which he is rid-
den, and that he is prepared for all movements which are to
be made.

To execute with ease this adju.sting of the reins, the button
should slide easily. The rider must accomplish it quickly, but
quietly, — almost imperceptibly, — and without looking down.

SECTION 31.

0/tIte moving/ upon fhe spot — Iii(//it and Left about —
Bending — of the side Passages,

The moving upon the spot (right and left about) and all
side passages, like "jEpaule en dedans'', '^shoulder inside",

00

'^eliHUging in the lialf-tnivevs", '^cioup inside'", or '>tete aii
iiuir", and the '^avIioIo travers", are executed according to the
instructions already given with the snaffle reins und guiding
with botli reins, modified by explanations contained in Sect oO,

for guiding with one hand.

To bend the horse to the right or to the left hand with tlic
curb, the rider should take hold with both hands of all four
reins in such a way that he holds two reiiis divided by the
little finger in each hand, — the snaffle reins being outside the
little finger. In this position he proceeds to bend the horse's
head to the right and to the left, as directed in Sect. 19, but
with even more care.

Upon the command of ^^ Replace' — the horse\s head is
placed in a straight or mtural position, and the reins then ad-
justed as before in the left hand. The ^^gathering in" of the
head is executed upon the command of ^'•Head in!"

The horse, after being placed in straight line, and kept from
backing by means of the coutiter-pressure of both legs, is gath-
ered by the screw-like upward-turning of the little finger of
the rider's left hand towards the body. This turning by a
relaxing und tightening of the reins, is repeated until he brings
the head into a perpendicular position, in which he is kept
for a short time, and then by a complete slackening of the reins,
allowed to rest.

SECTION 82.

0/tIie Guiding ivith the Curb and with oneSnafle rein.

As this raethod of guiding forms a kind of transition to the
guiding with one hand, and acts more sparingly upon the
horse's mouth, it is essential that the beginner should be prac-
tised in it ; and more particularly is it necessary, as this kind
of guiding is used in riding young horses. The curb reins arc
taken out of the loophole of the snaffle reins, — the former be-
ing divided by the little finger of the left hand ; the left snaffle
rein is then placed outside below the little finger of the same
hand, and the right one is taken in the right hand.

The position of the hands is such that the left one is placed

— 70

ill front of the middle of the body; the right one is placed
close by, so that in riding to the right it is at the same height
with the left ; but in going to the left, it should be one hand's
breadth above the other.

Should it be necessary for the snaffle reins to act more
strongly, the rules of the snaffle rein guiding are applied, the
pupil shortening the snaffle, and lengthening the curb-reins.
But should it be necessary that the curb-rein should act predo-
minantly, they must be shortened, and the rules of the guiding
with the curb must be applied.

Another mode of guiding with the curb and snaffle com-
bined is that, in which the curb reins are divided by the third
finger of the left hand and the left snaffle rein is placed by it-
self outside of the little finger of the same hand. But in this
sort of guiding, the eff"ect of each of the three reins in one hand,
together with the proper co-operation of the/owr^/i rein, (the
right snaffle rein in the right hand) must be distinctly felt or
judged of. — to perform which properly requires long practice^
This mode should be applied by experienced riders only, or
with young or newly bridled horses ; or for a short time with
liorses whose heads require to be raised. It forms a transition,
rather, to the mode of guiding previously mentioned, which is
less (Hnnplicated, and more analogous to the guiding with one
hand without the snaffle reins with beginners, in guiding with
the division of the curb reins by the third finger, the faulty
conse(jueiice usually ])roduced is the continual bearing upon
the left curb rein, and the /w^//^r///a/ dropping of the right
curb rein.

SKCTiON 33.

Of the Charge.

The charge (carriere) is simply an extended gallop, run
with all the speed of which the horse is capable. For this
purpose an open even space out of the riding room should be
selected, where the rider can start his horse, first in a straight
line at a given point in a moderate gallop, and prepared upon
the command of ^^ March, March !" — to start into a full run.

— n —

This exercise must not, however ,be too often repeated; and
it should always be practised with judgment.

The helps that are here brought into action are — that the
rider leans well forward with the upper body — that he uses,
upon the command, both spurs well, if necessary — that he
gives full liberty in the reins, dnckening and cxtendinrj the left
hand gently fowarda the horses neck. By this it must not be
understood, however, that the rider gives the reins entirely;
on the contrary, he should always remain master of his
horse; but as by such a violent motion the neck and head be-
come extended rather forward, in the same proportion the
hand should be kept varying between the above mentioned
slackening of the reins and the retaining of the proper feeling.

Notwithstanding that for concluding the charge, the order—

i^Halt!" is given, a sudden stopping from full speed would

not only be contrary to the natural motion, but would also be
very injurious to the horse. The ride;- ])y a sharp reining in,
and a strong pressure of both legs, must come to a haltgradu^
ally, only stopping entirely after a few paces in walk. In such
violent movements, it is all the more necessary that the upper
body should be thrown well backwards, and the rider should
settle himself in the saddle, with the back firm, not removing
the left elbow from the body.

It should be remarked that in passing from the charge into
gallop, trot, or walk, to bring the horse into the desired gait,
the reining in must not be done so sharply as at the command

In the charge a horse can pass over a distance of 600 paces
in a minute.

SECTION 31.

Of the Charge and jumping over Ditches.

As the rider may find himself in a position compelling him
to leap a fence or a ditch, and that he must clear it in height
as well as in breadth, it is therefore necessary to prepare him
for this movement, so that when the occasion arrives he shcill
not be embarrassed,

It is cs«ontial that the iiretlful helps be given cahnly, aiul
not with violence, us otherwise the horse iiiight easily get an
aversion to this movement ; nor shonhl he JoJvanee hi'.stily,
and thereby make an insecure le.i]>, which might bring him
out of the rider's <e'ommand.

For leaping, it is well at lirst to i)laee a [lole on the ground,
walk the horse over it several times, then raise it gradually to
about two I'eet, and by and by higher still. The rider advances
in the walk, brings his hand a little forward from the bodv,
shortens the reins and keeps them even, so that the horse re-
mains in a straight line. lie then presses f/u'(/h, Ir<j^ and calf
firmly together, and bringing tlie stirrups further back, keeps
the sent already described. A little more liberty is given on
coming close to tlie pule, and the horse is driven with both legs
(or spurs) according to his temperament. The upper body, in
order not to be thrown forward by the jerk, is held high and
a little backwards. After the leap is made, the rider walks
his horse on.

In jumping during the trot or gallop, the horse must not be
allowed to hurry.

An inexperienced rider should leap with the snaffle reins
only, until he has acquired a seat that is sufficiently (juiet and
firm.

In jumping over a ditch, the pupil should be taught not to
lean back or hang upon the reins, but as the jump is more in
length, he should follow the movements of the horse. At first
he slnmld not be confused with a mass of rules, (and the ex-
planations thereof) which are to be observed ; it is sufficient
to recommend to him quietness, resolution, and firmness in the
seat; the rest will come of itself by repeated exercises. The
best thing the rider can do is not to (h'sfnrh the home in
jiimpivg.

s Kirn ON v>h.

Of Sivimmiuf/ on ITorsehacJc.

if the rider should be compelled to ford or swim over a
river, he must do it with the curb reins cntircfi/ loose. The

78

horse should be guided with the suaffle only, aud not in a
straight line across, but rather downwards with the current;
he must hold tight to the mane, and permit himself to be car-
ried as much as possible out of the water ; he should not look
into the water, but upwards, in order not to become dizzy.

Should the rider be swept out of his saddle, he can yet hold
on to the mane, and thus keep himself above water, but he
must be careful to avoid the stroke of the horse's feet. Should
he lose even this hold, in such extremity he should endeavour to
gragp the tail, and suffer himself to be guided entirely by the
horse.

On Bridling.

The horse's backbone is the main pillar of his body, the head
being as it were, the handle, while the extremities are append-
ages to it.

The best method of controlling the head, and through this
the spinal column and whole body of the horse, is by means of
the curb bit and bridle. By the curb, whether for riding or
driving, is meant the entire iron mouthpiece (called also the
hit, PI. 1, Fig. 1) by which, in connection with the reins
buckled to it, the animal is guided by the hand of the rider
or driver.

The curb bit is divided into :

(a) the two eyes; the openings, of whatever form, into

which the cheek straps are buckled ;
(/>) the two hooJi holes; these are sometimes dispensed

with ;
(c-) the two hoohs; the right one being called "long
joined", if united with the curb chain ;
{d, d) the upper branches, of the lever;
(e, c) the Joioer Iranehes, „ ,,
(/) the tenon holes by which the mouthpiece is inserted

into and riveted to the levers;
(fj) the mouthpiece, or barrel, with its two heads, over
which are adjusted, in uniform or parade bridles,
two brass buckles, rosettes, crests or other oriia-
, ments ;

(D

To increase the effect of the mouthpiece or larrel,
rings or rollers of different shapes are sometimes ad-
ded to it;
(A) the two hooks, fo which the reins are to be buckled;
when these are not suitablOj rings or swivels are
added ;
(i) the curb chain. (To the oldfashioned bits, with
jointed mouthpieces, there were attached lip chains
to support the lower branches. There are some bits
which have at each end of the barrel or mouthpiece
a ring or hole for the attachment of the snaffle reins;
these are called sight holes. (PI. I, x, Fig. 10.)
The mechanical principle involved in the operation of the
curb bit is that of the lever. Each branch represents a lever
of the second order; the fulcrum being at the eye, where the
curb chain is attached, the power at the hook, ring or swivel
to which the reins are buckled, and the weight at the point
where the mouthpiece or barrel is inserted. It is at this latter
point that the two branches or levers, immovably united by the
mouthpiece, and thus acting in concert, bear upon the horse's
jaw when the reins are tightened or drawn backwards. The
curb chain serves to determine the resting point for the levers,
and is indispensable, not only for this reason, but also because
by increasing the effect of the mouthpiece upon the jaw, it
creates a gentle counter-pressure upon the curb chain groove,
and over bridling is in a measure prevented. Without the
curb chain, the bit would have no leverage, and lie too loosely,
which is called a ^^falling through" of the bit.

If the curb chain is too tightly drawn, so that the bit has
no play in the mouth, the branches become levers of the first
order, the fulcrum being transferred to the point of attach-
ment of the barrel, and the weight to the eyes, when the curb
chain is hooked on ; the force is still exerted by the reins at
the rings or swivels. The branches will now stick out for-
wards, and the action of the reins will be rendered very severe.
But the horse will not answer to the tightening of the reins
by bringing his head in ; his lower jaw is raised by the excess-

ive pressure of the curb chain, and he will push his nose out,
and shake his head.

In correct bridling, the bearing of the mouthj^iece must be
stronger than that of the curb chain, the branches acting, as
before stated, as levers of the second order. Hence the curb
chain must be so loose that, the reins being perfectly slack,
two fingers cnn be easily inserted between it and the jaw. In
this way the drawing in of the reins does not immediately bring
the bit into operation, but the branches have some play, reced-
ing 30° or 35° before the pressure is begun. This play is of
much importance, in order that the drawing in of the reins
may act upon the lever at a right angle. And the pressure
begins only when the curb chain bears on the groove in the
jaw above the lip, thus fixing the '^eyes", at which the fulcrum
is to be. Now, by the pressure of the mouthpiece upon the
jaw, the horse feels the eff'ect of the rider's hands upon the
neck, and yields to it by bending the latter; which is called
^^gatheriug in" or ^'bridling in the head".

By an immoderate, rough, or too long-continued drawing in
of the reins, the same effect may be produced as by fastening
the curb chain too tightly -, viz , the fulcrum be transferred to
the point of attachment of the mouthpiece, thus making the
branch a lever of the first order. As soon as the horse yields
to the pressure of the mouthpiece upon the jaw, either by
gathering his head in or by turning, the reins should be re-
laxed simultaneously, but almost imperceptibly. If this be not
done, or should the tightening of the reins be continued, or
excessively increased, the horse cannot yield by reason of his
structure and position ; he must therefore push forward against
the reins ; the fulcrum of the curb is shifted to the mouth-
piece, upon which he presses with his jaw ; the nature of the
leverage is changed ; and the horse will stick his nose up-
wards, shake his head, bore into the reins, and try to rid him-
self of the rider's rough hand.

Since the bit acts upon the lower jaw, the latter should be
earefuUy considered. It is concave or spoonlike, and bears six
incisor teeth ; just above these on either side runs upward a

i i

toothless edge, — tlie jaw proper. In stallions and geldings, We
find a hook tooth or tush on either side ; in mares this is ge-
nerally wanting. These toothless edges end above at the back
teeth or grinders. — Between these edges is a semi cylindrical
hollow called the tongue-canal, in which the tongue is lodged.
All of the inner surface of the lower jaw is lined with a smooth
sensitive mucous membrane. Exteriorly or behind, it is con-
vex, and is seen, as on the inside, to branch into two sharp-
edged arms covered with a fleshy mass, the skin over which is
covered with thin hair; this has below a padlike swelling
beneath it, corresponding to the chin in man -, the whole is
called the lower mouth. The skin just behind the h.wer lip
grows thinner and more sensitive, and presents a small de-
pression called the curb-chain-groove.

The best mouth has fine, but not fleshy lips, with a sensitive
mucous membrane, sharp edged jaws, and an ample cavity to
^orm the tongue canal. The worst mouth is one that has
round, blunt-edged and fleshy jaws, with a thick and insensible
mucous membrane; the tongue canal is shallow, and often not
roomy enough for the thick fleshy tongue. In such a mouth
the edge of the lips lies padlike over the edges of the jaws,
and prevents the proper efl'ect of the bit. In such cases the
bit should arch upwards over the tongue, the arch forming
what is called the^or^. (PI. I, Figs. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8.)

Upon well known mechanical principles, the longer the
lever, the greater its power ; and therefore, if we lengthen the
lower branches of the curb, between the junction with the
mouthpiece and the rings or swivels for the reins, we increase
the power of its action.

K thin, uneven, or angular mouthpiece presses more severely
upon the jaw than one which is thick and round, and which
bears with a larger surface upon it. Hence the easiest bit is
one w^ith a thick n,nd round mouthpiece, with a low crook or
port, and short branches.

The sharpest or severest bit, on the other hand, is one with
a thin and angular mouthpiece, a large port allowing entire

78

freedom of tongue, and with correspondingly long lower
branches. (PI. I, Fig. 7.)

For tender mouthed horses, thick and straight mouthpieces
must be used, which, however, must be hollowed out to dim-
inish their weight.

The effect of the mouthpiece is rendered materially greater
by giving the tongue more freedom ; and this is done by set-
ing the plane of the crook at an angle of 20° or 30° with that
of the branches. (PI. I, Figs. 6 and 7 I)

In former times the place of the mouthpiece in the horse's
mouth was regulated according to the horse^s hook teeth; but
as mares do not generally have these teeth, and in stallions
and geldings they vary in position, it follows that this rule for
bridling can not answer for all.

The mouthpiece should lie in the mouth opposite the curb
chain groove, slipping neither up nor down ; if it slips down,
the edges of the lower jaw, which are covered with a highly-
sensitive skin, will be much hurt by it ; it should rather en-
close the whole lower jaw evenly, so that the pressure is
equally divided upon all points of the curb chain groove.

The best curb chains are the so called light, narrow meshed
and double eyed, because they lie flat and act evenly, with an
equal pressure, and fit smoothly.

The icorst curb chains are those formed of wide, heavy and
largely rounded rings, the links of which act only on isolated
points in the groove, -and not having there sufficient room,
cause at the same time, great pain. The curb chain ought,
especially, with sensitive horses, to be covered with soft leather,
or replaced by a leather strap, which will act more gently than
an iron chain.

Should the curb chain tend to slip up, on account of the
bad fitting of the bit, and should there be no means to easily
replace the latter, it is well then to pass a lip strap through
the middle link of the curb chain, and to fasten it, lightly
drawn, to the bridle ring on either side This will prevent the
shifting upwards of the curb chain, and likewise keep the
horse from catching the lower branches with his lips.

^ 79

If we pass through the hvo points d— d (PL I/.Fig.l, 3, 4,55)
in which the mouthpiece bears upon the jaws, a straight line
touching the branches, which is called the dividing line m — m,
we divide them into the upper and lower branches.

But as every rollerlike mouthpiece bears only with
its round surface upon particular points of the jaw, and as it
does not bear upon them with its lower, but with the posterior
and upper part of its round surface, it is evident that with the
round and especially with the straight mouthpiece, the divid-
ing line comes in fact to stand higher, almost in the middle of
the mouthpiece (PI. I, Fig. 2, 3, 4, 5, n — n) which is to be
aimed at more or less with all other round forms of the mouth-
piece.

If the fulcrum is connected by a straight line with the end
of the division line, and if the latter be prolonged, it is then
called the "line of the curb". (PL I, Fig. 1, A. B.)

When the reins are drawn in, and the curb chain, through
the curb chain hook, is brought to bear upon a certain fixed
point as a fulcrum, the action of each upper branch begins at
the lower edge of the eye, and ends at the division, when
round eyes are used. (PI I, Fig. : , d — t?.) This shows why
high-arched ]^outhpieces, called "gelding curbs", fall through,
and why they do so the more easily, the higher the arch of the
mouthpiece.

It is therefore a mistake to suppose that the action of the upper
branches commences in the middle of the eye and ends in the
middle of the mouthpiece ; the latter is only the case with
straight mouthpieces.

The lower branch begins at the division line, and ends at
the ring or swivel (PL I, Fig. \, d, e) ', the latter in many'
bits has various curves to prevent the horse from seizing the
lower branches with his lips.

The length of the curved lower branches is in all cases de-
termined by the straight bit-line and the effect remains there-
fore the same, whether the branches be curved or straight.
If only three points (fulcrum, weight and power) fall in the

80

line, then tlie bit is properly arranged in this respect. (PL II3
Fig. 1-p.)

If two of the points only are set in the vertical line, the
power of the lower branch is shifted either before or behind
the line p — q, and the bit is a faulty one. In a well shaped
bit, the right and left branches should be of an equal length;
they should stand parallel to each other, with the mouthpiece
immovably welded to them at a right angle. If the bit is
looked at from one side, the branches, eyes and swivels of one
side should conceal those of the other.

According to the laws of the lever, the force is greatest if
applied at a right angle ; hence the reins act most effectively
if drawn upon at a right angle with the bit line, and if the
reins are pulled upon in any other direction, the force exerted
is decreased in a ratio correspondiug to the amount of devia-
tion from a right angle. The lower, therefore, the rider^s hand
is placed on the neck of the horse, the head being in the right
position, the greater and stronger the effect and vice versa.

From this it may be inferred, that bits arranged with tra-
verses either before or behind the described line are ineffective,
since the angle at which every drawing of the reins must
act on such a curb is either acute or ohhise. (PI. IT,
Fig. 1.)

A horseman who wishes to fit his horse's mouth properly
with a bit should examine the structure of the horse's mouth
first, and then take the measure of its various parts. This
measurement may be made in two ways. The rider stands in
front of the horse, facing him, and provided with a round stick
12 or 15 inches long. He introduces this stick crosswise into
the horse's mouth, over the tongue j one hand grasps the stick
at either side, the forefingers extended upwards Now, the
stick being placed directly over the curb chain groove, or in
other words being exactly where the bit is to rest, let the hands
be moved towards one another until they lightly touch the
horse's lips ; keeping them so, remove the stick and mark the
desired length by notches. (PI. II, Fig. 3.)

81 —

For the measurement of the tliickness of the jaws, place
yourself on the left side of the horse, the left hand holding
the round stick, but with the forefinger extended ^ pass this
finger straight across the jaws into the mouth, below the tongue .
and opposite the curb chain groove. If now you hold the other
index finger in this form, and keeping the two fingers at right
angles with the scale, and as near as possible parallel to each
other, you ascertain the height of the bars (or lower jaw)
which be careful to mark on the scale in like manner as be-
fore. The lips remain below the index finger when the mea-
sure is taken under a gentle pressure.

The second and more exact method is by means of Way-
rotter's Orimeter (PI. I, Fig. 9). This consists of an iron bar,
a^h, divided into inches and lines, having adjusted at right
angles to it two side branches, likewise of iron, bent outwards
above, as at e and/. One of these side branches is fixed to
the cross bar, while the other slides on the latter. At h there
is a small screw to mark the exact measure obtained, by fixiag
the sliding bar at the proper point. At c there is another
sliding bar, also with a small screw for fixing it upon the
branch cl—f, to substitute the right index finger in measur-
ing th3 thickness of the jaw. From h to d this branch also is
divided into inches and lines.

In order to measure the thickness of the jaw, place the
cross piece of the orimeter above the lips and beneath the
tongue of the horse. (PI. II, Figs. 5 and 6.)

By means of these two measurements are determined the
size of the bit in all its parts.

a. The width of the horse's mouth determines the width of
the bit. This principle is essential for correct bridling.

If the barrel of the bit is too long, the curb chain cannot
adjust itself close to the jaw, but presses only on some parts of
it, and hence the mouthpiece slides to and fro. On the other
hand, if the bit is too narrow (short) the branches will press
too much on the lips and jaw, contusing and wounding them.

The ordinary width of the mouthpiece is from 4 to 5
inches.

82

h. One and a half times tlie widtli of tlie horse's mouth
should give the length of the curb chain without the hook or
long joint; two or three extra links ought to be allowed,
- which must be divided between the right and left ends.

c. The thickness of the jaw is equal to the length of the
upper branches from the fulcrum (namely, where the curb
chain hook is fixed to its eye) to the dividing line. The
usual height of the jaw and therefore the length of the upper
branches for use on horses in the military service is from 1 \
to If inches.

d. f of the height of the jaw gives the length of the curb
chain hooks,

e. f of the height of the jaw is the usual breadth of the
tongue canal ; thus the breadth of the so called "])orf' should
have about i of the height of the jaw, in order that its angles
may not slide over the jaws, and thereby cause injury.

/. The height of the port should be equal to the half or
the whole of its breadth, according to the greater or less thick-
ness of the horse's tongue.

Every port should have below all the width mentioned, and
the angles strong and smoothly rounded (PI. I, Fig. 7).

(/. Double the height of the jaw, i. e., double the length of
the upper branches, gives the length of the lower branches^
which, however, according to the structure of the horse, and
especially that of his neck and the position of his head, should
vary somewhat in length.

For horses which over - bridle, or by bending the neck
wrongly, bring the chin very far in, the lower branches should
be shorter ; while those that carry their nose high, should
have bits with longer lower branches.

Jointed mouthpieces, as well as those called '^Segundo curbs",
whose mouthpieces are made to roll in the branches, are faulty
and inefficient, and cannot be recommended. The mouthpiece,
on account of its mobility, has no fixed position upon the bars
or concerted action with them, and has therefore no accurate
efi'ect either in the reining in or in guiding; besides which,
they often injure the lips and bars. The corners of the double

83

broken Dessau mouthpiece even wound the ydws. Among all
jointed bits, the so called Pelhani curb (PI. I, Fig. 1) may be
used to the best advantage with half-brokcn-in horses, or in
hunting (PI. I, Fig. 10).

This bit has a jointed snaffle mouthpiece with large fn'ffht
holes for the buckling of the snaffle bit reins It may also be
used without any snaffle rein. The eyes of the bit should be
round, and of a size proportioned to the breadth of the bit-
straps;, the latter ought to be a little smaller and be of good
soft leather, so that the bit in the bit-straps, as well as the
curb chain hook, may have sufficient play, and that the eiiect
of either reining in or relaxing may be felt promptly and
decidedly.

If, notwithstanding that the bit fits properly, the mouthpiece
lies opposite the curb groove, the latter falls through in the reining
in, it maybe inferred that the iipper branches, and perhaps al-
so the curb chain hooks, are too short ; if on the other hand
the bit sticks out forward, or the curb chain slips up, it may
be inferred that the upper branches as well as the curb chain
hook are too long.

The Bridle itself, consisting of the bridle, snaffle and nose
band, should be made of straps f to 1 J inches wide. Straps
which are too wide are burdensome to the horse, and contrary to
the rules of bridling ; while a too great width of the reins will
be an impediment to correct guiding (PI. XI, Fig. 9)

From the headstall a, the cheek straps h (PI. II, Fig. 9)
should hang in a straight line one inch behind the cheek bone,
towards the cleft of the mouth. The upper buckles should be
i inch above the exterior corner of the eye.

Every headframe is to consist of a front and nose hand.
The front strap h (PI. II, Fig 9) is to hold the headstall in
its proper place, and to prevent the sliding back of the cheek
rir;!]). The nose band / keeps the cheekstrap, and hence the
hit itself, in proper position, thereby preventing the gaping of
the mouth, to which the horse is inclined in order to evade
the force of the bit,

84

The nose band should be buckled so that two fingers can
readily be inserted under it, in order that the horse may chew,
breathe, and have sufficient room for eating. The buckle of the
same should be 11 inches behind the left cheek piece ; it should
lie neither too high on the cheek bone, nor too low on the
nose, as in the latter case the lips would be squeezed by the
use of the snaffle.

The throat latch, e, should be buckled so that a closed fist
can be easily inserted between the strap and the neck.

The buckle should be on the left side, and at the same le-
vel with the upper buckle of the left cheek piece.

It is better to have both sets of cheek straps, those
for the curb and those for the snaffle reins, cut out of the
same piece of leather, thereby forming one piece. "Whenever this
is not the case, the snaffle has to be fitted to the bridle, and
united with the front piece in such a manner that it cannot
slide backwards; in such a case we do not need a separate nose
band. The snaffle cheek-straps should be shorter than those
of the bridle bit; and with horses that like to place their
tongues over the bit, or hang them out, the snaffle should be
placed highest, and the bridle should be adjusted in such a
manner that the snaffle bit comes to lie one inch above the
bit (or the tongue), but so that it does not pull upon the lips
or produce folds in them, when the reins are not drawn. If
it Ite necessary to raise or lower the bit, it should always be
dune at the upper cheekpiecc buckle, and never at the lower
one.

Horses that liaiKj the tonyue should have adjusted to tlie
middle of a well selected mouthpiece , parallel with the
branches, two spoon -shaped pieces.

These should revolve freely around the mouthpiece, but
M-)t n)OYC to the right or left; the upper and larger one lies
tlU,vvls(^ on the tongue, as docs also the lower one, which lat-
ter should be so short as not to touch the tushes or hook
teeth (PI. I, Fig. 4— .s, .s.).

One or two slender movable arche;^ of iron above the
mouthpiece, or two small chains attache<l from the port or

— _ 85

crook of the bit to the middle of the upper branches right and
left and tightly drawn serve the same purpose.

In order to produce an active play of the tongue in the
mouth (called in other words "the champing of the bit'')
or to teach young and recently-bridled horses to accept the
curb bit, as well as to correct the habit of laying the tongue
over the bit, small round movable pieces are attached to the
mouthpiece, called "tongue pieces", which often are of use
also in preventing the hanging out of the tongue.

Correct Bridling is based upon

1st — The art of training a horse thoroughly, that is, to de-
velope him on the snaffle, and afterwards with a well selected
curb bit, to complete his education.

2nd — The examining and judging of the form of the horse
in all its separate parts, of his condition, power, proportion
and temperament. A badly constructed horse, a horse too
weak, to young, or worn out will even with the best bridling
give a result not satisfactory. A lazy horse will lose all in-
clination to move by too severe a bridling. A fiery high-spi-
rited horse will run away from the pain, which he feels if too
severely bridled, or if the rider be weak, awkward or unsteady
in handling the bridle.

3rd — Skill and composure of the rider, especially firmness
of seat and hand, — hence for the rough hand of an unskilled
rider, the horse should be more lightly bridled.

4th— Upon the proper lever-like action of a well selected
curb upon the jaw.

5th — The suitable buckling and arrangement of all parts of
the bridle. A well made and thoroughly trained horse will
go well with more or less carefull bridling ; but a badly formed
and improperly trained animal requires the most correct brid-
ling to make it useful and efi'ective.

The principal bridles for training are

1st — The School SnaffiQ with front and nose strap — the
latter being buckled hclow the mouthpiece in the curb chain
groove (PI. II, Fig. 7).

86

Tke cheeks of the snaffle bit should be long, and the upper
one should be fastend with a loop to the cheekstrap, in order
to keep the mouthpiece in its proper place.

2nd — The Cavesson (which is only to be used in case of
nessecity, PI. II, Fig. 8), should have a throat lash a — and
lower down another one 6, buckled immediately below the
main bridle. The nose plate of the cavesson should not be
indented; on the contrary, it should be soft and padded with
leather, so as to press equally on all parts. Its proper place
is on the nose bone, but not too low, lest it bear on the nose
cartilages. The noseband of the cavesson, like that of the snaffle,
should be buckled below the- mouthpiece on the curb chain
groove, so as not to be in the way of the bit If the rider for
special reasons should be obliged to buckle the cavesson nose-
band above the mouthpiece, the (metal) noseplate should be
placed high up, so that in drawing the reins the mouthpiece
will not lie upon the cavesson noseband, and so wound the
edges of the horse's mouth.

3rd — To find the proper dimensions of the curb bit, a test
hit is often used. One prepared by Gen. A. von Najdosy, of
the Austrian Army, and Commander of the x\rtillery riding
school in Vienna, (PI. I, Fig. 8) is so comstructed, that by a
slide (p — ^;) the upper branch may be fixed with a screw
at any height that is desired. The width may likewise be found
by adding or taking away flat rings the size of the mouthpiece
(q — q — q — q) which are affixed to its ends at either side.

On the lower branches there are at a various height holes
or only indentations (^ — z) wherein by means of a screw
(o — o) the rein rings may be fastened higher or lower.

Bits which are properly constructed for the purpose may be
adjusted to any size, by removing the branches from the mouth-
piece and substituting another for the latter.

When we have obtained the proper dimensions of the mouth
by means of this test hit, we should ride the horse with it for
several days, so as to be sure of its correctness, and then have
one constructed like it for permanent use.

Explanation of the Figures.

PLATK I.

Fio-. 1. Curb bit — straioht or curved forwards or

backwards.
A.B. Bit line.
a.a. Eyes.

h. Curb chain hook hole,
c. Curb chain hook.
d.d. Upper branches.
e.e. Lower branches.
/./. Points where the mouthpiece stem is welded

to the branches.
(j.g. Mouthpiece.
h.h. King or swivel.

I. King for the curb reins.
l. Holes for attaching the swivel.
k. Kosettes or other ornaments in parade bridles
fastened to the end of the mouthpiece.
m.m. Division line.

D. D. Points where the mouthpiece bears upon the
jaws.
y. Arch of the port, to give freedom to the
tongue.
Fig. 2. A straight thick mouthpiece (the easiest

form).

t'igs. 3 and 5. Arched -^gelding mouthpieces'', with some

degree of liberty for the tongue.
Fig. 4. Mouthpiece giving half the degree of freedom

to the tongue , with s,s, the spoonshaped
tongue pieces to keep the tongue in the
mouth.
JFig. 6. Mouthpiece with a port giving the same free-

dom to the tongue.
Fig. 7. Mouthpiece giving entire freedom to the

tongue (with the whole port) r,r, width of
the port below.
Fig. 8. Separable test mouthpiece of Naedosy.

J9.jj>. Upper branch, movable up or down, with a

little screw to set it
q.q. Additional plates, one line thick, to make the
mouthpiece wider or narrower
r. Holes for the screw of the slides on the lower

branches.
i). Screws for fixing the slides carrying the mov-
able rein ring.
t. Tenon Dn the mouthpiece.
Fig. 9. Wayrotter's orimeter, or iron mouth scale.

Fig. 10 Pelham bit, or snaffle tind curb combined.

X. Sight holes for the snaffle reins.
Fig 11 Wrench for the test bit, shown in Fig. 8.

PLATE 11.

Fig. 1. Ourb, with the lower branches in the line, in

front of the line, and behind the line, with
the corresponding drawing of the reins.

Fig. 2, Proper bridling, with a play (»f the branches

of about 30°, when the reins are drawn, by
which the effect of the reins is applied at a
right angle

Fig. 3. Measuring the width of the mouth with the

wooden rod.

Fig 4 Measuring the thickness of the jaw with the

same.
Fig 5. Measuring the thickness of the jaw with Way-

rotter's orimeter.
Fig. 6. Measuring the width of the mouth with Way-

rotter's orimeter.
Fig. 7. A properly applied snaffle bridle with noseband.

Fig. 8. A properly applied cavesson, with the snaffle

bridle.
a. Throat latch of the cavesson.
h.h. Jaw straps of the same.
Fig. 9. Horse's head with the bridle properly applied.

a. Headstall, or carrier.
/ Cheek pieces or strap.
(J. Throat latch with buckle.
h. Front piece.
i. Nose band.
k. Curb rein.
/. Snaffle rein.

Of the defective Working of the

Curb reins, and a Means of

correcting it.

All writers on horsemansliip agree in regard to the move-
ments of the hand which aerye to make the horse obedient.

They state the manner in which the curb reins, when drawn
upon, act upon the levers or branches, and these again upon
the mouthpiece. But no one of them seems to be satisfied
with the efi"ect of it, and all confess that the mechanism of it
is at least imperfect.

For my own part I have long felt the difficulty, I might
even say impossibility, of communicating my will to the horse
by means of the curb reins alone. I think the defect is to be
looked for not so much in the form of the bit itself (which is
80 various in style) as in the way in which the reins act. I
might cite, in support of this, Plurincll, Newcastle, La Gae
ronniere. La Fosse, Bohau, etc , but will merely refer the
reader to them.

Now if, in training a horse, a curb has been used, with
either short or long levers, simple or compound, and the ob-
ject has not been attained ; if after various trials, no suitable
bit having been found, the horse's mouth is ruined; the intel-
ligent rider will resort again to the snaffle.

With this alone he carries his point, makes the horse obey,
and keeps the mouth sensitive.

— - 9l

If the reason of this be asked, we reply that the snaffle,
small as its apparent power is, readily pulls to the right side
if we want to turn to the right, and to the left if we want to
turn to the left.

An order so simply given is easily obeyed by the horse.
His head being turned in a new direction, he naturally fol-
lows it.

It is otherwise with the curb reins. According to the pre-
scribed methods of guiding, if he is to move to the left, his
nose is first brought to the right, and vice versa. To test this,
it is only necessary to take a horse, whose training has been
wholly in drawing a carriage or the plough. His driver
has always turned him to the right by pulling the right rein,
to the left by pulling on the left. And in the first lessons in
the riding room, it is the same ; he is turned to the right with
the right snaffle rein, aided by the pressure of the left upon
the neck.

Now if the horse is of the proper age. or if he has been suf-
ficiently trained to fit him to bear the curb, we lay aside the
principles on which he has been taught, and reverse all his
previous instructions. For since, in order to turn to the left,
the right lever or branch of the curb bit must be pressed upon,
the fundamental idea of using the right rein in going to the
right is abandoned.

La Gueronniere says : 'To go to the right, one must turn
the nails somewhat upwards, so as to act on the left rein. In
going to the left, the nails must be turned downwards, so that
the right rein shall act decidedly."

Comprehending the incompleteness and want of precision
of the principles he lays down for guiding the horse, he ad-
vises keeping the curb reins separate, one in each hand. Should
the horse refuse to turn, he advises lowering the hand of the
opposite side, so that the horse will obey the pull. This cer-
tainly means nothing else than to make it possible for the horse
to turn where the pulling comes from. These two helps for
making the horse obedient are therefore directly opposed to
each other ; if one is right, the other must be wrong.

92

La Fosse gives the same rules for the movements of the
hands as La Gueronniere. He also teaches to separate the
curb reins, one in each hand.

Moreover, to refute the Duke of Newcastle, he adds : '^Ex-
perience teaches that the horse must obey the pulling of the
reins towards the side on which the pull is made ; if the right
rein is used, the horse is obliged to turn his head towards
that side."

He argues, with La Gueronniere, and on the same grounds,
that in exercising in the riding school, the inside rein should
be shorter than the outside one. He refers to the effects pro-
duced by the little finger of the left hand, which are of such
extraordinary delicacy; and proves from them that to ride a
horse on the right hand, or to turn him to the right, we must
let him bear upon his right side, upon the right rein, and upon
the right lever of the bit, — not upon the left rein. He says :
"The bit should bear upon the part which one wishes to
fix."

M. Doure in one of his last works is very explicit upon the
same subject. He says, that the best mode of obtaining a cor-
rect turning is to take hold of the inside rein with one hand,
and to give at the same time, with the outside one, the pres-
sure upon the outside part of the neck. The first of these ef-
fects he terms the pull, and the other the pressure. This ce-
lebrated ecuyer ascribes to the pull the greater power.

M. Aubert, one of the best riders in France, in his treatise
upon horsemanship, is even more positive. On pages 82 and
83, he says : — ''The effect of the hand upon the rein and the
mouthpiece is only a direct and decided one, when the pull is
backwards, but this is not the case in pulling to the side.''

This truth unfortunately is acknowledged only by the feW
who take the trouble of making the necessary observation.

To compel the horse to make a correct turning to the right
or to the left, requires a thorough preparation by means of the
snaffle; according to Aubert thousands of horses are spoiled by
indifferent riders, without attaining even this result. Their

horses turn to the right whilst the neck is pulled to the left,
and break out with the haunches, hind quarters and hocks.

In guiding with the reins of equal length and in the bridle
hand, the horse will turn to the right — although the left
rein produces the greater effect. Let it be observed, I do not
say because, but although the left rein produces the greater
effect.

The sum of the above quotations may be set forth in brief
as follows : That in turning the guiding hand to the right to
go to the right, the evolution is executed solely upon the left
curb rein.

To obviate these inconveniences different authors recom-
mend different appliances^some, the use of the snaffle; others,
the use of one curb rein in each hand, which necessarily com-
pels the use of both hands. Finally, we are directed to work
with one hand and to shorten the inner rein materially. Rid-
ing masters make use of this effective, but inconvenient plan,
without agreeing in their teachings. They call it a ^Hrade
ucret!^

It would now appear sufficiently demonstrated that it is im-
possible with the present mode of using the curb, to turn a
horse correctly to the right or to the left : to execute which
movement requires either the help of the right hand or of the
shortening of one or other of the curb reins, either right or
left.

According to the principles which form the basis of instruc-
tion in military riding, the horse should be ridden not only
during the drill, but also in an engagement with the enemy,
with one hand.

The other helps which are at the command of the cavalry-
man are those of the legs, the application of which is not only
as a general thing difficult when in a rank, but often also inef-
fectual.

Hence it follows that the rider, to execute a given order
promptly, can make his will known to the horse in four differ-
ent ways only : —

94

1st. —In relaxing the hand to induce the horse to step for-
ward.

2nd. — In tightening the reins to gather him, or to make him
step backward.

3d. — As he steps forward, guiding to the right to turn
right.

4th. — As he steps forward, guiding to the left to turn left-

The last two movements of the hand are acknowledo-ed to be
insufficient for the proposed end.

Professional riders feel themselves compelled, if they want
to guide the horse properly, to make up the pressnre through
the pull, and for that purpose it requires the use of both hands,
or the curb reins must be kept in one hand, and of unequal
length. Both of these helps are forbidden in the cavalry ser-
vice, where the curb reins are required to be kept continually
even, and where the right hand must be kept free for use in
action.

How often do we find that a cavalry horse refuses the turn-
ing, especially to the right. This is only to be accounted for
by the guiding of the left hand, the curb reins being kept in
such a manner that they are more favorable to a turning to the
left than to the right.

I will further illustrate this :— When the reins are kept
quite even, and when the little finger of the left hand is be-
tween the curb reins, which are well pressed down by the
thumb above, —

1st. — The left rein is kept nearer the horse's mouth than
the right one, by so much as the thickness of the glove and
little finger amounts to.

2iid. — The left rein is better supported (sustained) than the
right one, — the former being held by five, the latter only by
four fin(/ers,

3d. — The action of the thumb is such that it presses down
the left curb rein which lies immediately under it, when the
hand closes, and therefore shortens it.

On the contrary, the effect on the right curb rein is, to
draw it from above downwards, and therefore to lengthen it.

95

The riglit curb rein will nearly always glide through the
rider's hand without his knowledge, and he will thereby prac-
tise with uneven reins (in which opinion most authors concur)
and find himself under exceedingly favorable circumstances to
make the turn (o the Uft. The shortening of the left rein acts
naturally and vigorously toward the left side, and thereby
facilitates a like turning. The volte to the left is for the same
reason mucb easier than the one on the right hand. If the
curb reins remain perfectly even in the hand, the volte to the
right or left (in reference solely to the movement of the hand)
is impossible.

The rider makes known his will to the horse by using power
through the snaffle reins in tmo ways — the drawing in (pull-
ing) and i\\Q pressure. He should m.ake use of both accord-
ing to the well known principles of the movement. The
guiding with the curb reins is nevertheless just the opposite.

It has been remarked before that according to the cavalry
instruction the right hand should remain free, and that to the
left alone is given the guiding. If the horse is to go to the
right, by the bending of the hand forward and to the right,
and by the drawing in of the left curb rein, two eifects are
produced: ]st. — ^^It pulls the horse's nose to tbe left, which
is directly the opposite of the intended turning ; 2nd. — The
curb rein presses against the left side of the horse's neck.
This latter effect is apparently reasonable, but is very feeble,
and I deem it positively lorong, dangerous, and even injurious.

1st. — The effect is lorong. — In guiding to the right, the
nails turned upwards, the left rein becomes shortened, and acts
upon the left side of the mouthpiece, whose port or arch presses
upon the left jaw This drawing of the rein is therefore con-
trairy to the end one wishes to attain, as it brings the nose and
neck to the left side. The head and shoulders are not thereby
directed to the right.

The horse that has been taught with the snaffle to turn his
head towards the side from which the pull comes, will resist,
not understanding the rider's meaning. Besides, the horse's
shoulders arc bound by the drawing of the left rein, the whole

96

forehand being kept back by it. The turning can therefore
only be executed in such a way that a breaking out of the
haunches takes place.

2nd. — The effect is dangerous. — The horse, unable to exe-
cute the rider's will promptly, being improperly directed, and
not understanding the help, is often treated harshly — pulled,
pushed, jerked and spurred. In this struggle, arising from no
fault of the horse, the poor animal is apt to fall if the ground
be slippery, or he rears and perhaps '^goes over" to overcome the
greater constraint. If such accidents do not happen, the ob-
ject is attained generally by turning on the haunches, whereby
the hocks are apt to be injured.

3d. — The effect is injurious. — By using force in riding a
volte (which occurs too often during the instmction) the loins
are strained, the tongue is hurt, the gums are torn, the lips
are chafed, and all possible diseases of the mouth created. Be-
sides, there is produced injury to the haunches, weakness of
the kidneys, and the horse becomes harassed by the oft-re-
peated spurring, obstinate, unmanageable, and therefore unfit
for use — working ruin to the horse as well as to the cavalry
service, and a needless expense to the State.

If in every regiment a certain number of horses, say from
70 to 100, were exclusively used for the instruction of the
trooper, and if these horses were under the immediate super-
intendence of a "Captain instructor", many of the aforesaid
evils would be lessened. These horses, well accustomed to
this sort of exercise, would, without much exertion, and I
might say, almost of their own will, perform the service.
But this reform has not been attempted. All horses of
the regiment, without distinction, serve for the instruction
of the soldiers — the old, the young, the ordinary, the strong,
the feeble, and the blooded horses are all mounted on every
day of the year by a different rider, who may be more or less
heavy, more or less stupid, and with a hand more or less
awkward.

In this continued succession of mounting and dismounting,

97

it is impossible that the rider should become acquainted with
his horse, or vice versa.

If now, we can show besides, that the helps which are
given are faulty, it is clear that the result can not be other
than a bad one.

It might not be out of place here to observe how old sold-
iers, when they see their horses passing from hand to hand, to
be badly treated and considered as common property, lose the
love and care which the animal should expect from his rider,
and which are so necessary for the maintenance of the credit
of the cavalry. But I am digressing, and must return to my
proper subject — the mechanism of the curb.

As was before remarked, the use of the curb reins holding
them in one hand consists of only four movements.

The first one is the relaxing of the reins to give the horse
liberty to advance. The pressure of the bit in this case ip,
entirely annulled. This a right and mild help.

The second one is the shortening (drawing in) of the reins
to gather the horse or to make him step backwards. In short-
ening, the rider should supply the eifect of the moathpiece, or
aid it, by leaning with the upper body slightly backward, and
by pressing the horse with the thighs. This occasions a slight
displacement of the seat, which, after a few lessons, is suffi-
cient to make the horse balance himself without the rider be-
ing obliged to draw in the reins too sharply. In stepping
backwards, both curb reins, by a slight drawing in, must re-
main even, and the movement is produced by the pressure of
the legs.

With regard to the two remaining movements, the turning
to the right and to the left, I have already fully demonstrated
the incorrectness of the usual method in place of which, I re-
commend the following :

The bridling of the horse is done as usual, not strapping too
tightly the throat latch, noseband and curb chain; and both curb
reins are crossed before passing them over the horse's neck, in
such a manner that the crossing takes place under the chin.

9

98

The right curb rein operates, iu this way, upon the left
branch or lever, and the left, upon the right. If the reins are
then taken hold of with the left hand as prescribed, and used
according to the before defined rules, the effect will be the
same as that produced by the snaffle.

The mouthpiece with crossed reins, acts upon the mouth
and neck in the following manner: — If the hand guides to the
right for turning to the right, the left curb rein pulls on the
right branch from below upwards, and from right to left ; the
arch of the crosspiece presses upon the right jaw, and takes
away from the mouth the upper part of the curb called the
^^eye".

A. contrary effect takes place upon the opposite side (left).
The arch raises (lifts) itself a6ove the left side of the jaw, which
is thereby relieved, and the upper part of the left curb bears
heavily, where it is joined to the lever. All parts of the mouth-
piece therefore contribute to effect the turning.

The horse's head, by the pressure of the port upon the right
;3ide of the jaw, is placed to the right, to which direction it
was guided from the very beginning, by means of the raising
of the left curb; the left curb rein embracing the neck, finally
directs the whole forehand to the right.

I have made many experiments in applying this method
with horses that turned with difficulty, and with some that
even showed themselves refractory, and was successful in al-
most immediately reducing them to willingness and obedience.

The crossed reins make known immediately their power and
effect upon the horse's neck, and act, therefore, as a sort of
preparatory order. As the effects of the mouthpiece become
thereby more intelligible to the horse, and as obedience is ob-
tained immediately, it requires less power than before — the
hand becomes gentler, the rider more expert, and the horse
more obedient.

When there is less resistance, the power requisite for over-
coming it is proportionately lessened ; the mouth is not so
likely to become injured, less sickness is produced, generally
fewer faults occur, and finally the reins become what they ought

99

to be — a help, and not a punishment. Horses that are treated
with kindness will not only perform better and longer service,
but their training will be more finished.

Besides, crossed reins cannot be thrown over the head — a
bad trick which only too often occurs, and one which is ex-
ceedingly dangerous. In lowering the hand, the reins do not
hang down, and they cannot become entangled in action. It
is almost impossible for the trooper either on foot or horseback
to seize or cut them through. Finally, this method requires
neither different instruction nor involves an extra expense;
and believing it myself to be the simplest and most correct
one, I think the reader cannot fail to become convinced of its
good effect.

Should I be mistaken in this, I still assert that even if
long established custom is in favor of the usual manner of
guiding with the curb, it is a faulty one.

It must therefore be the duty of every intelligent. rider to
-study how the imperfect mechanism of the curb can be ob-
Tiated , and until I find a better remedy, I shall have no
^hesitation in j;ecomniendiug that which I have suggested-

rtaicH.