file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #dbich-;h4htm or #dbich-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/cache_/epu b_/#dbich_/pg#dbich-;images4html7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/files_/#db ich_/dbich-;h4zip7 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive_/,american ,libraries4 ,see http3_/_/archive4org_/details_/horsemans hipforw#jjmead ,transcriber's note3 ,text enclosed by underscores is in italics 7italics74 ,,horsemanship ,,for ,,women by ,,theodore ,h4 ,,mead ,with ,illustrations by ,gray ,parker ,new ,york ,harper ,brothers1 ,franklin ,square #ahhg ,copyright1 #ahhg1 by ,harper ,brothers4 ,all rights reserved4 ,,contents4 ,,part ,i4 ,,page ,,amateur ,,horse-,,training #a ,,lesson ,i4 ,,coming ,,to ,,the ,,whip #ae ,,ii4 ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,bit ,,lightly 7,flexion de la mchoire71 ,,using ,,the ,,curb #ba ,,iii4 ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,bit ,,lightly1 ,,using ,,the ,,snaffle #bd ,,iv4 ,,to ,,lower ,,the ,,head #be ,v4 ,,to ,,bend ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left1 ,,with ,,the ,,reins ,,held ,,below ,,the ,,bit 7,flexions de l'encolure7 #cb ,,vi4 ,,to ,,bend ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left1 ,,with ,,the ,,reins ,,thrown ,,over ,,the ,,neck #ce ,,vii4 ,,to ,,move ,,the ,,croup ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left ,,with ,,the ,,whip #ch ,,viii4 ,,mounted #da ,,ix4 ,,mounted 7continued7 #dh ,x4 ,,the ,,walk #ea ,,xi4 ,,to ,,move ,,the ,,croup ,,with ,,heel ,,and ,,whip 7,pirouette renverse7 #eb ,,xii4 ,,to ,,guide 8,,bridlewise0 #ee ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,trot #eh ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,gallop1 ,,hand-,,gallop1 ,,and ,,canter #fd ,,xv4 ,,the ,,pirouette1 ,,deux ,,pistes1 ,,passage #ga ,,xvi4 ,,backing #ge ,,xvii4 ,,riding ,,in ,,circles4--,,change ,,of ,,leading ,,foot #gi ,,part ,,ii4 ,,etiquette ,,in ,,the ,,saddle #hg ,dress #hh ,the ,mount #ia ,mounting #ib ,the ,start #ii ,on which ,side to ,ride #ajj ,the ,seat #ajb ,on the ,road #ajg ,the ,pace #aab ,turning #aab ,the ,groom #aaf ,,part ,,iii4 ,,leaping #aah ,,part ,,iv4 ,,buying ,a ,,saddle-,,horse #acb ,parts and 8,points0 of the ,horse1 ,alphabetically ,arranged #ace ,list of ,diseases and ,defects #adh ,,index #aeg ,,illustrations4 ,,page ,coming to the ,whip #f ,a good ,saddle #ac ,a properly fitted ,curb-chain #af ,flexion of the ,jaw--using the ,curb #bb ,lowering the ,head #bf ,punishment in case of ,resistance #bg 8,pulling the ,hands steadily ,apart0 #cc ,to ,bend the ,neck to ,right or ,left1 with the ,reins below the ,bits #cd ,getting the ,horse 8,light in ,hand0 #ce ,pulling on the ,right ,rein #cf ,moving the ,croup one step to the ,right #ci ,getting a ,horse accustomed to ,skirts #db ,showing ,reins in ,left ,hand #dc ,advancing at touch of ,heel #dd ,stopping at touch of ,whip on ,back #de ,the ,walk 7,colt in ,training7 #df ,bending the ,neck to ,right and ,left #di ,moving the ,croup with the ,heel and ,whip #ec ,guiding ,bridlewise 7,turning to the ,right7 #ef ,the ,canter #fe ,ordinary ,pirouette #ga ,going on 8,deux ,pistes0 #gb ,the ,passage #gc ,backing #gf ,reins in ,hand #gg ,act of changing ,reins #gg ,leading with the ,right ,fore-foot #hj ,leading with the ,left ,fore-foot #hb ,ready to ,mount #id 8,one1 ,two1 ,three0 #ie ,placing the ,foot in the ,stirrup #if ,position in ,saddle #ig ,a ,square and ,proper ,seat #ajc ,method of holding the ,reins in both ,hands #aaa ,approaching a ,fence #aai ,a ,water ,jump #aba ,rising to the ,leap #abg ,coming ,down #abi ,parts and 8,points0 #acf ,the sort of ,horse to ,buy #adf ,the sort of ,horse not to ,buy #adi ,,horsemanship ,,for ,,women4 ,,part ,i4 ,,amateur ,,horse-,,training4 8,my dear10 said my wife1 8you don't mean to say you have bought that horse80 8,why1 yes1 indeed10 replied ,i2 8and very cheap1 too4 ,and why not80 8,you will never get your money back10 said she1 8no matter how cheap you have bought him4 ,don't keep him4 ,send him back before it is too late40 ,it was a sultry ,july morning1 and my wife stood on the farm-house porch1 in provokingly fresh attire1 while ,i held my new acquisition by the bridle in the scorching sun2 and just recovering as ,i was from illness1 this conversation struck me as really anything but tonic in its character4 ,however1 bracing myself up1 ,i replied1 8,but ,i don't want to get my money back2 ,i intend to train him for my own use under the saddle40 8,oh1 you can never do anything with that great horse4 ,why1 he is the awkwardest brute ,i ever saw4 ,just look at him now60 ,in fact1 his appearance was anything but beautiful at that moment4 ,his ,roman nose1 carried a long way forward and a little on one side1 gave him somewhat the air of a camel2 his coat showed no recent acquaintance with the brush2 and as he stood there sleepily in the sun1 with one hind-leg hitched up1 he did not present at all a picture to charm a lady's eye4 ,nevertheless1 he was1 in fact1 a reasonably well-made horse1 a full black1 fifteen and three-quarter hands high1 sound1 kind1 and seven years old4 8,he's just horrid10 said my wife4 8,oh1 that's nothing10 said ,i2 8that's only a bad habit he has4 ,we will soon cure him of such slovenly tricks4 ,just see what good points he has4 ,his legs are a little long1 to be sure1 but they are broad1 and have excellent hoofs2 his breast is narrow1 but then it is deep2 and that large nostril was not given him for nothing4 ,you will see he will run like a race-horse40 8,if you once get him started you can never stop him10 said my wife4 8,you know how he pulls1 and how nervous he is4 ,he will go till he drops4 ,you are not strong enough to ride such a horse40 8,oh1 nonsense10 said ,i2 8you can see that there is no mischief in him4 ,look what a kind eye he has6 ,the fact is1 horses are often very sensitive2 and while this one may never have been cruelly treated1 yet he has been misunderstood1 and his feelings hurt a great many times a day4 ,human beings are the only things he seems afraid of4 ,as for his awkward carriage1 it is no worse than that of the farm hand who has made such a failure of trying to use him1 and who is1 nevertheless1 when he stands up straight1 a well-made1 good-looking fellow4 ,a little careful handling will make that animal as different from his present self as a dandified ,english sergeant is from the raw recruit he once was4 ,what do you think of his name8 ,it is ,sambo40 ,but my wife was not to be led off on any side question1 and after intimating that such a plebeian appellation struck her as quite suitable1 she continued2 8,now you know that ,mr4 ----0 7the farmer of whom ,i purchased7 8knows a great deal more about horses than you do2 you must admit that1 for he has been buying and selling and driving them all his life1 and he doesn't like him1 or he wouldn't sell so cheap2 and as for training him1 for my part ,i don't believe horse-training can be learned out of books1 as a woman would learn a receipt for making cake4 ,do get him to take the horse back60 ,now ,i have a great respect for my wife's opinion in general1 and in this particular case all her points seemed well taken4 ,the horse was tall1 and ,i was short2 he was excitable1 and ,i hadn't the strength of a boy2 he was very awkward1 and ,i had never trained a horse in my life4 ,however1 ,i had been reading up a little on the subject1 and feeling the confidence in myself which a very little knowledge is apt to impart1 ,i was determined to try my hand4 ,i had remarked that there was a certain ,french system which was1 in the several works ,i had consulted1 always spoken of with respect as a complete and original method1 so ,i obtained a copy of the book1 in which is set forth the ,mthode d'quitation base sur de nouveaux ,principes1 par ,f4 ,baucher1 and having disentangled 7no easy task7 what was really practical from the enveloping mass of conceited sham scientific nonsense1 ,i had numbered the margin so as to make a series of simple progressive lessons of half an hour each4 ,the volume in question1 which was not1 by-the-bye1 the present improved edition1 ,i now produced in a somewhat dog-eared condition from under my arm4 ,my wife1 seeing that remonstrance was of no avail1 took a seat on the veranda1 so as to be ready to advise and assist1 while my excellent friends1 the farmer and his wife1 came out 8to see the circus10 as they said1 and established themselves in suitable midsummer attitudes1 with countenances of amused expectation4 8,the first few lessons must be given on foot10 said ,i1 and spreading my ,baucher open upon the 8horse-block10 ,i proceeded to carry out its first injunction by placing myself1 with riding-whip under my arm1 in front of the horse1 which was already saddled and bridled1 and 8looking him kindly in the face40 ,he bore my gaze with equanimity1 but when the riding-whip was produced he started violently2 and when ,i raised my hand to pat his neck reassuringly he threw up his head and ran back4 ,this evidently was not temper1 but alarm4 ,clearly1 moral suasion was not the kind that had been used with him hitherto4 ,in plain ,english1 he had been beaten on the head2 and it was some time before he got over the impression made by such ill-treatment and ceased dodging at every sudden motion on my part4 ,however1 a lump of sugar gave the poor fellow more confidence1 and1 avoiding all brusque movements1 ,i went on to give him the first lesson of the ,baucher series1 viz41 ,to ,come to the ,whip4 ,it is encouraging for beginners that this lesson1 while producing conspicuous results1 is in most cases very easy4 ,in less than half an hour my audience was not a little surprised to see ,sambo come to me at the slightest motion of the whip1 and follow me about with neck arched1 ears pricked up1 and eyes lustrous with the unwonted pleasure of comprehending and voluntarily carrying out his master's wishes4 ,illustration3 ,,coming ,,to ,,the ,,whip4 8,well1 that's very pretty10 said the farmer2 8but what's the good of it80 ,this criticism1 it may be remarked1 he continued to repeat at every step in the horse's education4 ,he did not 8see the good0 of a double bridle with two bits4 ,he did not see the good of teaching the horse to relax the muscles of his jaw and to hold the bit lightly in the mouth4 ,he did not see the good of suppling the various muscles of the neck1 on which1 nevertheless1 depend to a surprising degree the balance of the whole body and the easy motion of the limbs4 ,in fact1 he maintained his attitude of amused and good-natured incredulity until one day1 after about three weeks1 ,i rode ,sambo into the lawn1 his neck arched and tail displayed1 and1 with the reins hanging on my little finger1 made him cut circles and figure eights of all sizes at a spanking trot4 ,then my good farmer gave up1 and said he really would hardly have believed it could be the same horse4 ,what is more1 he took off his own driving horses 8the overdrawn check-reins0 by which he had been hauling their noses up into as near a horizontal line as possible1 and allowed them to carry their heads in a more natural manner4 ,the afternoon of his first lesson ,sambo was put in double harness for a drive of ten or twelve miles1 during which he annoyed me excessively by his restless dancing and fretting1 so that next morning ,i expected to have to begin all over again2 but1 to my satisfaction1 he had forgotten nothing1 and came towards me at the first motion of the whip1 so that ,i passed on to the ,flexions de la ,mchoire1 which we translate as the suppling of the muscles of the jaw4 ,here ,i came upon my first difficulty1 and it lasted me several days4 ,it was1 however1 the only serious one in my whole course1 and from subsequent experience ,i am satisfied that my own awkwardness and disposition to compel obedience by main force were the principal causes of it4 ,however1 success soon rewarded my perseverance1 and ,i had the satisfaction of feeling the iron grip of the bit relax1 and seeing the nose brought in and the face assume a perpendicular position4 ,without at present going further into detail1 ,i will simply say that at the expiration of a month1 during which ,sambo had been driven double almost daily1 his education for the saddle had so far advanced that his head was admirably carried1 his trot was greatly improved--his walk always had been light and swift--he could trot sideways to the right or left1 could pirouette to the right or to the left on the hind-feet or on the fore-feet1 responding to the pressure of the rein upon his neck or of the leg against his side1 while he had become so steady that ,i could fire at a mark with a pistol from his back4 ,all this was very satisfactory progress1 especially in view of my total inexperience1 poor health1 and the heat of the weather2 but there is no doubt that any active young girl of sixteen or eighteen can do the like1 for it was accomplished not by any mysterious or difficult process1 nor by any exertion of physical strength1 but by patiently following out1 step by step1 the processes which ,i am about to describe1 and which are substantially those of ,baucher1 adapted to the use of a person of total inexperience1 and that person a lady4 ,if any such1 having accompanied me thus far1 feels the impulse to try to improve her own mount1 ,i will confide to her the fact that the incidents narrated really occurred within the last few years not a hundred miles from ,new ,york2 and ,i hope that the following propositions1 which are literally true1 will help to encourage her to an undertaking in which she will find amusement1 exercise1 and a discipline as useful to herself as to her horse3 #a4 ,if1 as is very likely1 you feel a little afraid of your horse1 you may be assured that your horse is a great deal more afraid of you4 #b4 ,if you can only make clear to him what you wish him to do1 he will try his best to do it1 and will feel amply repaid for his efforts by a few kind words and caresses4 #c4 ,his narrow brain can entertain only one idea at once1 and therefore only one problem1 and that a simple one1 must be given him at a time4 #d4 ,once the problem is mastered1 a very little practice makes the performance of the task instinctive1 so that it will be performed at the proper signal1 even against his own will1 provided his mind is occupied with something else4 ,this course of lessons is prepared with these facts in view4 8,but is horse-breaking a fitting amusement for young ladies80 a mother asks1 and with an air indicating that to her1 at least1 a reply seems quite unnecessary4 ,my dear madam1 it is not horse-breaking we are talking of1 but horse-training1 which is a very different thing4 ,there are1 doubtless1 many women who could break a colt if they chose1 but it is an undertaking which we certainly do not recommend4 ,in the 8breaking to harness0 of an untamed horse there is naturally included more or less of training1 but the essential lesson to be taught is that it is useless to resist the will of man1 for sooner or later the horse will test the question1 and put forth every effort to throw off control4 ,when1 however1 panting and exhausted1 he finally submits1 he has learned the necessary lesson2 and whether it be after a long fight with a brutal rough-rider1 or a physically painless struggle with an adroit ,rarey1 he has learned it for life4 ,henceforth he accepts the supremacy of the human race1 and1 unless under the goad of maddening pain or terror1 will never1 save in rare instances1 really rebel2 obeying not men only1 but women1 children1 and even the very tools and implements of man1 so that a dog may lead him by the bridle4 ,like a spoiled child1 however1 a horse will sometimes presume upon indulgence1 and1 to use a mother's phrase1 will try to see how far he can go4 ,at such times he is best opposed not by violence1 but by firmness1 reinforced1 perhaps1 now and then by a sharp cut with the whip1 which1 given unexpectedly at the precise moment of disobedience1 will have the settling effect ascribed to the time-honored nursery 8spank10 and will bring him to his senses4 ,generally1 however1 what seems insubordination is in reality nervousness1 which requires soothing1 not punishment1 and which you will be careful not to increase by fidgeting or by brusque movements of the reins4 ,even when severity is needed1 a reproof in a cold1 stern tone is often more effective than the lash4 ,thousands of young girls1 who for various reasons cannot ride in winter1 have every summer within reach horses quite as good as the average of those at city riding-schools1 but which they are never allowed to mount4 ,they look wistfully at the honest animals1 longing for the exercise which would be so beneficial to their health and to their physical development1 while so delightfully exhilarating to their spirits2 but one horse is pronounced 8skittish10 another 8hard-mouthed10 and so on to the end4 ,nevertheless1 some enterprising damsel manages to overcome all opposition1 and1 skirted1 hatted1 gloved1 sets off in fine spirits4 ,the horse1 accustomed to the resistance of a heavy vehicle1 moves forward with slow and heavy strides4 ,urged to greater speed1 he rolls his shoulders so that it is almost impossible to rise to his trot4 ,when put to the canter he pounds along the road1 his hind-feet kept far in the rear and his head swaying up and down1 while1 missing the customary support of the bearing-rein1 he all the time leans his heavy head on his rider's delicate arm1 till it seems as if she would be pulled out of the saddle4 ,however1 the fresh open air is there1 and the scenery2 exercise1 too1 in plenty1 and the pleasure of independent movement1 so that our heroine is half inclined to persevere4 ,but1 alas6 an equestrian party on well-bitted1 light-stepping horses sweeps by1 casting a pitying glance at her rustic mount and helpless plight4 ,mortified and discouraged1 she goes home and dismounts1 determined not to try again4 ,nevertheless1 her horse is very likely quite as good as theirs1 and all he wants is a little 8handling10 as the horsemen say4 ,for twenty-five dollars a riding-master will turn him over to her as docile and supple as any of them1 and1 with a little time and trouble1 she can do it herself for nothing4 ,as for the proficiency in riding requisite1 it is only necessary that you should not depend upon the reins for your balance--a common habit1 but one destructive of all delicacy of the horse's mouth4 ,as the first half-dozen lessons of this course are to be given on foot1 a riding-habit would only be in the way2 so go to your first tte--tte with your new scholar in a stout walking-dress1 easy in the waist1 short of skirt1 and of stuff that will bear scouring1 for frothy lips will certainly be wiped on it4 ,let the hat be trim1 the gloves strong and old1 and the boots heavy with low heels4 ,the saddle should1 if possible1 be of the safe and easy modern pattern1 with hunting-horn and low pommel on the right side--but of course any one which does not gall the horse can be made to do4 ,it should have at least two strong girths1 and must be so padded with wool as not to touch the backbone4 ,make sure1 before putting it on1 that there are no tacks loose or likely to become so in the lining4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,good ,,saddle4 ,the bridle should be a double one1 with one 8snaffle0 or jointed bit1 and one curb-bit1 each having1 of course1 separate reins and headstalls4 ,by-and-by you can use a single bridle1 if you prefer1 with whichever bit you think best suited to your hand and your horse's mouth4 ,the whip should be elastic and capable of giving a sharp cut 7though you may never need to administer one with it71 and it is convenient to have a loop of cord or ribbon by which it may be hung to the wrist4 ,a good birch switch is better for your present purpose than the usual flimsy 8lady's whip20 and if you are in the country1 it makes a good whip to begin with1 as you will probably soon wish to substitute a crop4 ,the place of instruction should be as retired as possible1 so that there may be nothing to distract the horse's attention4 ,for the first few lessons it will be well1 if you are not thoroughly at home with horses1 to have a man--some friend or attendant--near at hand to give you confidence by his presence1 and to come to your aid in case of necessity4 ,,lesson ,i4 ,,coming ,,to ,,the ,,whip4 ,have the horse brought saddled and bridled4 ,walk quietly up in front of him1 with your riding-whip under your arm1 and look him kindly in the face4 ,see that the bridle fits properly1 as a careless groom may have neglected to adjust it to the length of the head4 ,the throat-latch should be loose enough to permit the chin to come easily to the breast2 the bits should lie in their proper place on the bars1 and the curb-chain should lie flat in the chin groove1 just tight enough to allow your fore-finger to pass under it4 ,the bars are that part of the gum between the grinders1 or back teeth1 and the nippers1 or front teeth1 which in the mare is destitute of teeth1 and in the horse has a tusk called the bridle-tooth4 ,it is upon these bars1 of course1 that the bits should lie1 and the curb-bit1 according to military rule1 at an inch above the tusk4 ,by general usage they are placed too high1 the proper place of the curb-bit being not up in the corner of the lips1 but opposite or nearly opposite the chin groove1 which is just above the swell of the lower lip4 ,if the curb-chain is too loose the bit will 8fall through10 or turn around in the mouth4 ,if it is too tight1 or is ill adjusted1 or if1 from the bits being too high1 it slips up where the skin is thinner and the bones sharper1 it will give such pain that1 to avoid it1 the nose will be thrust out instead of being brought in4 ,the chain should press below the snaffle1 or the latter will unhook it4 ,adjust and settle the various straps with your hand1 speaking kindly to your horse at the same time2 but when you have begun to teach him1 reserve all praises and caresses to reward him when he has done well4 ,it is a good plan to give him a lump of sugar before you begin and after you finish each lesson4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,properly ,,fitted ,,curb-,,chain4 ,now1 standing in front of the horse1 take both curb-reins in the left hand at six inches below the bit1 and1 with the whip held tip downward in the right hand1 strike him a light blow on the breast2 in about a second give him another1 and continue striking at the same interval1 looking calmly at him the while1 and following him if he steps backward or sideways4 ,sooner or later1 and usually very soon1 he will come straight towards you2 then instantly relax his head1 say 8,bravo6 bravo60 and stroke him on the face and neck4 ,you will very likely hear him give a deep sigh of relief1 like a frightened child4 ,give him half a minute or more1 according to circumstances1 to look about and recover from his nervousness--for you will find that his nerves work a good deal like your own--and then begin again1 allowing him after every trial a half-minute or so of rest4 ,it will not be long before he discovers that the way to avoid the whip is to come straight to you1 and he will do so at the least motion of it4 ,take advantage of this to make him curve his neck1 put his head in the proper perpendicular position1 and bring his haunches under him1 by holding him back with the curb-reins as he presses towards you4 ,this lesson1 to a careless observer1 looks rather pretty than useful1 but is indispensable for your purpose1 for it gives you the means of preventing the horse from backing while you are teaching him the flexions of the jaw and of the neck4 ,it shows him1 also1 that the whip is only to be dreaded when he disobeys1 so that later on it will become in your hands1 strange as it may now seem to you1 a powerful means of calming his ardor and soothing his impatience1 and thus sparing your bridle-hand the sometimes excessive fatigue of restraining his impetuosity4 ,in practice it is not necessary to carry this instruction to the point where the horse will come to you from so great a distance as shown in the accompanying cut1 though there is no difficulty in so doing4 ,a certain ,english nobleman used to say that a man was as much above his ordinary self on horseback as he was at other times above the brutes4 ,possibly more than one young equestrian1 remembering the exhilaration of some morning ride1 the quickened appreciation1 the redoubled enjoyment of the beauties of nature1 and of the charm of congenial companionship1 will be ready to echo the sentiment4 ,it is only true1 however1 even approximately1 when the rider controls all the forces of the horse1 and it is the object of the present article to put this perfect control within the reach of every one willing to take the time and trouble to acquire it1 for not daring1 but calmness1 not strength1 but perseverance1 are the qualities requisite4 ,both time and trouble undoubtedly will be required1 for while1 by even a careless use of this method1 your horse may be made vastly more comfortable under the saddle1 yet only by tact and patience can you win that mastery over his every volition by which his splendid strength1 courage1 and endurance will seem to be added to your own4 ,you will find him1 however1 no tiresome pupil4 ,on the contrary1 every day will increase your pleasure both in his progress and in his companionship1 for he will soon become attached to you1 and will now and then turn his head and look at you with such an expression in his eyes that you will think the old belief in the transmigration of souls not so very wonderful after all4 ,you will1 besides1 find in your lessons no contemptible discipline of character1 for you will have to conquer your natural timidity in feeling your weakness opposed to his strength1 to suppress your impatience when he is slow of apprehension1 to remain calm when he is restive1 and to award him your caresses1 not because his neck is sleek and beautiful1 but because he has done exactly as you directed4 ,you will find also that they will have a tendency to improve your seat1 by taking your attention from yourself1 and with it some of the involuntary stiffness always born of self-consciousness4 ,a different1 but equally practical1 result of knowing something of horse-training is that wherever you may be you will have no difficulty in getting a mount--no small advantage either1 as many an enthusiastic young girl can testify as she remembers the stony look which came over some comfortable farmer's countenance when she confidingly asked to ride one of his round-bellied horses4 ,many an owner of a trained saddle-horse would gladly have him ridden carefully by one capable of keeping him 8in good form10 while every horse-owner1 no matter how poor his nags1 dreads an ignorant rider as he does the epizooty4 ,probably scores of country stable-keepers and thousands of farmers1 after a season's experience with ordinary city riders1 have vowed never to let a woman mount one of their horses again4 ,one of the former1 at a popular summer resort1 said to the writer1 8,two ladies hurt my hosses more last summer than all the rest of the work4 ,they ain't no more saddles to be found in my stable60 ,a neighboring farmer1 who had at first thought to reap a golden harvest from his five excellent horses at a dollar a ride1 hereupon remarked1 8,they hain't no sense4 ,they think a horse will go like a machine1 and all they've got to do is to turn steam on with the whip40 ,very different would have been the verdict had the riders but possessed even a slight experience in training1 for the horses would have come from their hands improved in mouth and gait1 and almost certainly uninjured by bad usage4 ,,lesson ,,ii4 ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,bit ,,lightly 7,,flexion ,,de ,,la ,m,,choire71 ,,using ,,the ,,curb4 ,begin by assuring yourself that the horse has forgotten nothing of the previous lesson4 ,do not allow him to sidle up to you upon your movement of the whip towards him1 nor to twist his nose towards you1 but make him advance in a straight line4 ,now1 standing at the left of the horse's head1 with your feet firmly planted a little way apart1 take the left snaffle-rein in the left hand1 and the left curb-rein in the right1 at five or six inches from their respective bits1 and having brought the head into the proper perpendicular position1 pull the two hands apart with gentle but steady force4 ,hold your whip1 meanwhile1 tip downward in the right hand1 to prevent him from running back1 which can be done without relaxing your pull by tapping him with it upon the breast4 ,the object of this lesson1 as well as of those which follow1 is to overcome involuntary muscular contraction4 ,in some cases1 as probably in the present one1 the contractions are simply nervous1 and will cease with the mental cause2 in others the muscles have grown into improper positions1 so that time will be required to set them right4 ,illustration3 ,,flexion ,,of ,,the ,,jaw--,,using ,,the ,,curb4 ,your object at present is to get the jaw relaxed1 so that you can move it at pleasure without resistance1 and this may take time and patience1 for you must not be satisfied with anything less than complete success1 or you will repent it later4 ,at first1 however1 seize the slightest involuntary opening of the horse's mouth as an excuse to relax your hold1 caress and praise him1 then let him stand a half-minute with his head free1 and begin again4 ,when he is submissive1 and pleased with you1 he will almost always show it by gently champing his bit2 but do not be deceived by a nervous simulation which you will probably detect1 and which consists in opening the mouth a very little and immediately gripping the bit again4 ,you will have been completely successful when1 by simply drawing on the curb-reins1 the head is brought to the proper perpendicular position1 and the bit1 instead of being gripped1 is held lightly in the mouth1 or1 to use the school term1 when the horse is 8light in hand40 ,this is the only lesson in the series in which it is possible 7though not probable7 that your unaided strength may be insufficient2 if so1 get some one to help you over the first resistance of the horse4 ,with care and tact1 however1 you will in all probability require no assistance4 ,,lesson ,,iii4 ,,to ,,hold ,,the ,,bit ,,lightly1 ,,using ,,the ,,snaffle4 ,begin by repeating in proper order all that has been done at the previous lessons4 ,now1 having got the horse 8light in hand0 with the curb1 relax the curb-rein and try to keep him light with the snaffle4 ,he will probably begin to bear on it4 ,if so1 restrain him by successive tugs1 punishing him a little with the curb1 if necessary1 and always rewarding him with praises and caresses when he does well4 ,avoid any violent use of the curb1 or the horse1 in his efforts to escape the pain1 may get his tongue over the bit1 and thus acquire a very troublesome habit4 ,it must be remembered that the bit being the principal channel of communication between his mind and yours1 his whole attention is concentrated upon it1 and he is almost as much disconcerted by a sudden harsh movement of it as you would be by an unexpected shout in your ear4 ,by this time your groom is perhaps watching you with interest1 and may be trusted to repeat your handling1 thus saving you some time and trouble2 but1 as a general thing1 two lessons a day of from half to three-quarters of an hour each1 are as much as a horse can receive with profit4 ,,lesson ,,iv4 ,,to ,,lower ,,the ,,head4 ,always look over your horse before beginning your instruction1 to see that he has not met with any mishap4 ,observe that his eye is bright and that he feels in good spirits2 run your eye over his limbs to detect any cut1 bruise1 or swelling2 see that the hoofs are not cracked4 ,assure yourself that he is properly groomed--one good test being the absence of scurf at the roots of the mane2 that his mouth has been sponged out before putting in the bit1 his hoofs wiped off clean--never1 however1 blacked--and that he is properly saddled and bridled4 ,with a little practice you will do all this in half a minute1 while you are buttoning your gloves4 ,about once a week ask after his food and appetite1 and make the groom show you his shoes2 and when the time comes for him to be re-shod 7which should be at least once a month7 positively forbid any trimming of the frog or of the inside of the hoof--any 8cleaning up of the foot10 as farriers are pleased to call it4 ,the only part to be touched with the knife is the bottom of the outer1 horny shell1 which is not half an inch thick2 and even this must be cut with moderation1 never burned by fitting the shoe to it hot--the common makeshift of lazy farriers--nor filed on the outside1 as both these operations not only weaken the hoof but impair ,nature's arrangement for oiling and lubricating it4 ,should the horse not bear equal weight on all four legs1 move him a step to see if the faulty posture may not have been accidental2 and if it is repeated1 examine the 8favored0 leg1 carefully laying your bare hand on the hoof and joints to detect inflammation1 feeling along the bones for lumps1 comparing any suspicious spot with the same part of the corresponding leg1 observing whether it is warmer or more sensitive than its fellow4 ,illustration3 ,,lowering ,,the ,,head4 ,having assured yourself that your horse is in perfect order1 and that he has forgotten nothing of your previous instruction1 you will now proceed to the lesson of the day4 ,place yourself on his left1 or 8near10 side1 take the snaffle-reins at a few inches from the bit1 and pull his head downward4 ,should he not yield1 cross the reins1 by taking the right rein in the left hand and vice versa1 which will pinch his jaw sharply1 and pull again till he drops his head1 when you will hold it down a few seconds1 praising him the while2 then raise it up1 and allow him a little time to rest4 ,illustration3 ,,punishment ,,in ,,case ,,of ,,resistance4 ,for our young readers we give below a few of the more usual technical terms1 of which it will be found convenient to have a knowledge in the course of these lessons3 ,amble4--,a gait like pacing1 but slower1 in which the two legs on the same side are moved together4 ,appel4--,the gentle tug on the rein given by the horse at each step4 ,arrire-main4--,that part of the horse back of the saddle1 called1 not quite correctly1 in this article1 the croup4 ,avant-main4--,that part of the horse forward of the saddle--the forehand4 ,bore4--,to lean on the bit4 ,bridle-tooth4--,tusk found in the horse's mouth1 though not in the mare's1 between nippers and grinders4 ,bucking4--,leaping vertically into the air with all four feet at once4 ,chin ,groove4--,that part of underjaw next the swell of lower lip in which curb-chain rests4 ,curb4--,bit without joint1 with levers at side and chain1 which1 passing under jaw1 serves as a fulcrum to communicate pressure of bit to bars of mouth4 ,deux ,pistes4--,to go on deux pistes is to advance with the body placed obliquely1 so that the hind feet move on a different line or piste from the fore4 ,elbow4--,joint of fore-leg next above knee1 lying next horse's side4 ,fetlock4--,joint next below knee4 ,forearm4--,that part of leg between elbow and knee4 ,forge4--,to strike the toe of the fore-foot with the toe of the hind-foot--usually the result of bad shoeing4 ,frog4--,triangular piece of spongy horn in middle of sole of foot1 forming a cushion for the navicular bone4 ,grinders4--,back teeth4 ,hand4--,four inches 7one-third of a foot74 ,hand-gallop4--,a slow gallop4 ,haute cole--,haut ,mange4--,the complete course of training given in the ,french military riding-schools4 ,to translate this by 8high-school10 as is sometimes done1 produces a ludicrous impression4 ,hock4--,joint of hind-leg between thigh and shank4 ,interfere4--,to strike the fetlock with the foot--often caused by bad shoeing4 ,mange4--,horse-training1 also the training-school itself4 ,nippers4--,front teeth4 ,pace4--,a rapid gait1 in which the fore and hind foot on same side move at same time and strike the ground together4 ,pastern4--,bones between fetlock and foot4 ,passage4--,moving sideways1 as to close up or open the ranks1 as in cavalry exercises4 ,pirouette4--,wheeling on the hind-legs4 ,pirouette renverse4--,wheeling on the fore-legs4 ,piaffer4--,a slow and cadenced trot1 in which the horse balances a certain time on each pair of feet4 ,piste4--,the imaginary circle 7usually1 however1 a well-beaten track7 three feet from the wall of the mange4 ,poll4--,top of head between the ears4 ,rack4--,a gait somewhat similar to single-foot4 ,ramener4--,to bring the head to the perpendicular4 ,rassembler4--,to get the horse together1 with his legs well under him and his head perpendicular4 ,shank4--,parts of fore-leg between knee and fetlock1 and parts of hind-leg between hock and fetlock4 ,single-foot4--,a very rapid gait1 taught principally in the ,western ,states of ,america1 in which one foot is put down at a time4 ,snaffle4--,bit jointed in middle1 without side levers or chin-chain4 ,spavins and ,splints4--,excrescences on bones of legs1 usually caused by strain4 ,when they occur on the fore-shanks they are called splints1 and may do no harm4 ,if on the hind-legs they are called spavins1 and usually result in permanent lameness4 ,stifle4--,joint of hind-leg between hip and hock1 lying against horse's side4 ,surcingle4--,a girth extending entirely around the horse4 ,thigh4--,popularly speaking1 it comprises the two upper joints of hind-leg from hip to hock4 ,throat-latch4--,that strap of the bridle which passes under the throat4 ,withers4--,highest point of shoulder between neck and saddle4 ,,lesson ,v4 ,,to ,,bend ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left1 ,,with ,,the ,,reins ,,held ,,below ,,the ,,bit 7,,flexions ,,de ,l',,encolure74 ,before beginning each lesson it is well1 as has been already recommended1 to review hastily the instruction previously given4 ,now place yourself on the left side of your horse1 with your riding-whip tip downward in your right hand1 and with your feet firmly planted a little apart4 ,take the right curb-rein in your right hand at about six inches from the lever of the bit1 and the left curb-rein in your left at three inches from the lever1 and having brought the horse's head to a perpendicular position1 pull the two hands steadily apart1 moving the right hand to the right and the left hand to the left1 so as to pry the horse's head around to the right by means of the twist of the bit in his mouth4 ,if he offers to back1 stop him by tapping his breast with the whip2 if he tries to pull away his head1 hold on tight1 until presently he will turn his head to the right1 when you will instantly say1 8,bravo6 bravo60 and after holding it so a few seconds1 bring it back to its original position4 ,very soon he will take the idea1 and you will bring his head around until it faces backward1 being careful to keep it always exactly perpendicular1 and not to allow the horse to move it of his own accord in any direction4 ,illustration3 8,,pulling ,,the ,,hands ,,steadily ,,apart40 ,now try to obtain this flexion with the right-hand rein alone1 only using the left hand to assist it if he fails to understand or to obey1 and also to bring back the head to its original position4 ,to bend the neck to the left requires simply a reversal of the process just described1 and will give you probably no trouble4 ,do not be satisfied with anything else than an easy1 graceful1 and patient obedience on the part of the horse4 ,should he back or fidget out of his place1 bring him back to it before going on1 as you will find that his associations 7unconscious1 doubtless7 with place are remarkable1 and that any fault is likely to be repeated on the spot where it was first committed4 ,illustration3 ,,to ,,bend ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,or ,,left1 ,,with ,,the ,,reins ,,below ,,the ,,bits4 ,when he will look backward on either side1 and remain looking so upon your drawing upon the proper rein1 the lesson is perfect4 ,the utility of it may not appear at first1 but will be evident at a later stage of your instructions4 ,,lesson ,,vi4 ,,to ,,bend ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left1 ,,with ,,the ,,reins ,,thrown ,,over ,,the ,,neck4 ,take the left snaffle-rein in the left hand at about a foot from the bit1 and with the right hand draw the right snaffle-rein over the horse's neck just in front of the shoulder1 until both sides pull equally on the bit and the horse is 8light in hand40 ,then1 by drawing upon the right rein gradually1 bend his head around to the right1 gently feeling the left rein so as to keep the bit straight in the mouth and prevent him from moving faster than you wish2 for in this1 as in all other cases1 while he is to do exactly what you direct1 he is to do nothing more4 ,illustration3 ,,getting ,,the ,,horse 8,,light ,,in ,,hand40 ,to bend the neck to the left1 you will1 of course1 reverse the operation above described1 standing on the other side of the horse1 taking the right snaffle-rein in the right hand at a foot from the bit1 and drawing the left rein over the shoulder with the left hand4 ,keep the horse 8light in hand0 all the time1 and his head perfectly perpendicular1 as any twisting of the nose to one side has a ludicrous appearance4 ,now repeat with the curb4 ,illustration3 ,,pulling ,,on ,,the ,,right ,,rein4 ,,lesson ,,vii4 ,,to ,,move ,,the ,,croup ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left ,,with ,,the ,,whip4 ,it is unfortunate that we have not in ,english a vocabulary of definite terms relating to the training and riding of horses4 ,we will for convenience call all that part of the horse in front of the saddle the forehand1 and all that part back of the saddle the croup4 ,take both snaffle-reins in the left hand at a few inches from the bit1 and standing near the horse's left shoulder1 get him 8light in hand0 with the bit2 and if his hind-legs are not well under him1 make him bring them forward by tapping him gently on the rump with your extended whip1 keeping the forehand motionless by your hold on the bit4 ,now1 holding his head so that he will not move his left fore-foot1 tap him lightly on the left flank near the hip until he moves the croup one step to the right4 ,then pat and praise him1 and if he has not moved his right fore-foot1 tap his right leg with the whip to make him bring it forward even with the left4 ,after a little rest begin again1 asking and allowing only one step at a time1 and persevering until he will move the croup one step over to each tap of the whip1 pivoting on the left fore-foot and walking the right foot by little steps around it4 ,illustration3 ,,moving ,,the ,,croup ,,one ,,step ,,to ,,the ,,right4 ,when he is perfect with the snaffle1 repeat the process with the curb1 keeping his hind-legs well under him1 and holding him 8light in hand10 while maintaining his left fore-foot immovable1 with a delicate touch1 to resemble as much as possible the action of the rein when drawn from the saddle4 ,now repeat the process to the left1 taking your stand near the right shoulder1 and1 with both snaffle-reins in your right hand and the whip in your left1 proceed as before until the horse will walk one step at each tap of the whip around the right fore-foot1 which should in its turn be kept so firmly in place as to bore a hole in the ground4 ,repeat with the curb4 ,this lesson1 which will last1 very likely1 two or three days1 may appear to some of no practical utility1 but it is indispensable alike to your comfort when mounted1 to the safety of those who accompany or meet you1 and to the continued education of your horse4 ,who has not seen an untrained animal force his rider to dismount to lift some gate-latch which was really within easy reach1 or prancing about in a crowd1 to the terror and vexation of his neighbors1 or in momentary danger of hooking his legs into the wheels of passing vehicles8 ,now1 if you trample on any one1 or upset a light vehicle1 though you risk1 and perhaps break1 your own bones1 yet you are liable for damages2 and this fact is so well known that a suit will be promptly begun against you4 ,besides1 for your own sake you must have it in your power to get your horse's haunches1 and with them your own person1 out of danger from careless or mischievous drivers--just as a cavalryman has to save his horse from a slash or thrust4 ,,lesson ,,viii4 ,,mounted4 ,to ,advance at ,touch of ,heel and ,stop at ,touch of ,whip on ,back4--,your horse's education must now be carried on from the saddle1 and should he never have been ridden1 it will be prudent to have a man mount him first upon a man's saddle1 and afterwards upon your side-saddle1 with a blanket wrapped around the legs to simulate a skirt4 ,if the previous lessons have been carefully given1 you will have no trouble in making him stand wherever you please while you mount1 nor in getting him 8light in hand0 afterwards4 ,first1 however1 see that the saddle fits snugly in its place1 and that the girths are good and in order4 ,if there are more than two1 let the third be loose while the others are tight4 ,the writer once saw a powerful horse burst two good ,english girths by a sudden bound and throw off his rider1 saddle and all4 ,if the girths and saddle are not very strong1 put a broad1 thin strap--a surcingle will do--over all4 ,illustration3 ,,getting ,a ,,horse ,,accustomed ,,to ,,skirts4 7,an example of the 8flying trot407 ,being mounted1 gather the reins all into the left hand in the following manner3 ,draw the right snaffle-rein between the fore and middle fingers1 and the left snaffle rein under the little finger into the palm1 throwing the ends forward together over the first finger1 to be held by the thumb2 in like manner draw the curb-reins into the palm on each side of the ring-finger1 the left rein1 of course1 below1 and the right above it1 throwing the ends1 like those of the snaffle1 forward over the fore-finger and under the thumb4 ,now taking the curb-rein by the seam1 draw it through your fingers till both reins fall equally on the bit2 then do the same by the snaffle1 but draw it so much tighter than the curb that the latter will hang loose1 and any movement of your hand will be felt through the snaffle4 ,grasp all the reins firmly1 your hand back upward1 with wrist a little bent and elbow near your side1 so that if the horse1 stumbling1 thrust his nose suddenly out1 you will not be jerked from the saddle4 ,illustration3 ,,showing ,,reins ,,in ,,left ,,hand4 ,all this you will quickly get the knack of1 and do as easily as you would thread a needle4 ,you will observe that1 having the width of three fingers between the two snaffle-reins1 you can1 by bending your wrist to right or left1 guide the horse as easily as with the reins in both hands4 ,get the horse 8light in hand0 by the usual play of the bit1 first the curb1 then the snaffle1 tapping him on the right side1 just forward of the girth1 if he fails to respond or offers to back4 ,illustration3 ,,advancing ,,at ,,touch ,,of ,,heel4 ,now press him just back of the girth with your left heel1 at the same time relaxing the rein a little4 ,if he steps forward1 pat and praise him1 but if not1 press him more firmly1 at the same time touching him as before with the whip4 ,when he moves forward praise him1 and after a few seconds stop him1 leaning back a little and laying your whip by a turn of the wrist on his back just behind the saddle4 ,then recommence1 and persevere until he will start promptly forward at the touch of the heel1 and stop at the touch of the whip on his back1 keeping 8light in hand0 the while4 ,if he is very sluggish you may have to strike him smartly for not answering instantly to the heel1 but he will soon learn not to wait for the blow4 ,let the heel act close to the girth1 as you will soon wish to move the croup over by the same means applied farther back4 ,it is well not to start with the whip1 nor by chirping or clucking1 which is as likely to excite your companion's horse as your own1 and is annoying to most people4 ,illustration3 ,,stopping ,,at ,,touch ,,of ,,whip ,,on ,,back4 ,accustom your horse to stop short1 whether at the pull on the reins1 the touch of the whip1 or the word 8,whoa40 ,after riding have the saddle removed1 and should a puffy spot appear on the back where it has pressed1 take the hint at once and have the padding eased over the place1 or a tedious and vexatious 8saddle-gall0 may result4 ,there is no better treatment for such a spot than bathing with very hot water4 ,as a preventive1 however1 it is an excellent plan to bathe the back with cold water1 afterwards carefully rubbing dry4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,walk 7,,colt ,,in ,,training74 ,the several instruments of torture represented in the above cut are the dumb-jockey upon the horse's back1 the cavesson around his nose1 and the lunging-cord in the hands of the groom--to whom the artist has very properly given the countenance of one who1 had he lived in old times1 would have lent a hand at the rack or the iron boot without wincing4 ,the dumb-jockey has elastic reins1 which are adjusted so as to hold the head in the proper position4 ,the cavesson is a broad leather band1 stiffened with iron1 which is fastened around the nose just where the cartilage joins the bone1 so that a tug upon it causes great pain1 and will bring anything but determined vice to submission4 ,these appliances are usually only the resort of laziness or ignorance1 for none of them can for a moment compare with the human hand2 and in fact they effect no saving in time1 for it is not safe to leave a horse a minute alone with a dumb-jockey on his back1 as he may rear and fall over backward at the risk of his life4 ,the writer knew of an accident of this kind which ended the victim's usefulness in the saddle1 and he has seen a strong and proud horse sweat profusely1 with the thermometer at ten degrees below the freezing point1 while being lunged1 i4e41 driven in a ring1 with a dumb-jockey on4 ,,lesson ,,ix4 ,,mounted4 ,to ,bend the ,neck to ,right and ,left4--,you can now1 if you please1 substitute a stiff crop for the flexible whip you have so far made use of4 ,having taken your place in the saddle and got your horse light in hand review the previous lesson2 then1 having your horse still carefully light in hand and light on foot--that is1 with hind-feet well under him--draw gently upon the left snaffle-rein4 ,when the horse's head has come around to your knee1 keep it in that position an instant1 and then put it straight again by drawing upon the right rein1 insisting that his face remains perpendicular during the whole operation4 ,now go through the same process with the right snaffle-rein1 and then repeat the whole operation with the curb4 ,these flexions of the neck may now seem to you of doubtful utility1 but as the education of the horse advances1 your opinion will change4 ,it is as rare for horses as for people to have a noble and graceful carriage2 and while you cannot1 of course1 really change the shape of your mount1 yet you can1 by care1 entirely change his appearance4 ,his various gaits you can indeed improve1 but for his style he depends1 nine times out of ten1 entirely upon you1 and if you are indifferent he will be careless and probably clumsy4 ,illustration3 ,,bending ,,the ,,neck ,,to ,,right ,,and ,,left4 ,,lesson ,x4 ,,the ,,walk4 ,this gait is apt to be hardly appreciated by youthful equestrians1 whose love of excitement leads them often to prefer rapidity to grace of motion2 but it can1 with a little painstaking1 be made swift and agreeable2 and certainly1 when light and animated1 it shows off both horse and rider to better advantage than any other4 ,it is1 besides1 an indispensable stage in the bitting of the horse2 for until he will continue 8light0 while starting1 stopping1 and turning at a walk1 he should not be put to a faster pace4 ,your chief difficulty will be his propensity to drop into a jog-trot as soon as you try to quicken his steps2 but this must be overcome by stopping him immediately and then recommencing the walk1 urging him forward with the heel and encouraging him to lift his feet quickly by a delicate play of the bit1 but leaving his head as free as possible4 ,this will give you occupation1 probably1 for several days4 ,do not forget to praise him when he does well4 ,,lesson ,,xi4 ,,to ,,move ,,the ,,croup ,,with ,,heel ,,and ,,whip 7,,pirouette ,,renvers,e74 ,having your horse light in hand and light on foot 7that is to say1 as we have before explained1 with his face perpendicular1 the bit held lightly1 and his weight well supported on his hind-legs71 tap him on the right flank with your whip or 8crop0 till he moves the croup one step to the left4 ,your great difficulty will be to prevent him from moving his right fore-foot1 which by careful play of the bit you must endeavor to keep fixed to the ground1 while at each tap of the whip the other three feet move one step around it4 ,when this lesson has been satisfactorily learned1 proceed to teach in like manner the movement of croup to the right1 pivoting on the left fore-foot1 substituting1 however1 for the tap of the whip a pressure with the left heel1 applied as far behind the girth as possible4 ,illustration3 ,,moving ,,the ,,croup ,,with ,,the ,,heel ,,and ,,whip4 ,should he not understand this pressure1 interpret it to him with the whip4 ,as long as there seems to be any mental effort required on his part1 pause after each step to caress and praise him4 ,be careful to keep him calm while learning1 or he may tread one foot upon the other1 possibly inflicting a severe wound1 and after dismounting inspect his feet carefully to make sure that this has not happened4 ,,lesson ,,xii4 ,,to ,,guide 8,,bridlewise40 ,up to this time your horse has been guided as in driving1 by a pull upon one side of the bit1 that is to say1 upon one corner of the mouth1 and it is time now to substitute a simple pressure of the rein upon his neck4 ,the chief difficulty to be encountered is in the fact that1 as the rein is attached to the bit1 the tension of it against one side of the neck pulls the bit on that side1 consequently conveying to the horse an impression exactly opposite to that intended4 ,this difficulty must be overcome by patience1 for this instruction cannot be completed in a single lesson1 but will have to be carried on simultaneously with other work for a week or more4 ,it is given by carrying your hand over1 whenever you turn1 to the side towards which you wish to go1 so that the reins will press against the neck4 ,thus1 if you wish to turn to the left1 draw on the left snaffle-rein1 and as the horse answers to it1 carry your hand to the left1 so that the right reins press against the right side of the neck4 ,this must be done with judgment1 or the bit1 being pulled too hard on the right side by the tension of the rein on the neck1 will stop him in his turn4 ,of course you will seek as many occasions as possible for turning1 choosing1 in preference1 places where your intention cannot be misunderstood1 as at a corner1 for instance4 ,there is no better spot than some old orchard1 for the horse instantly takes the idea of going around a tree1 and there will be more or less shade1 and probably good turf4 ,while he is learning this lesson do not distract his attention by other instruction2 but as soon as he has mastered it1 see that his head is always turned in the direction towards which he is to go1 for it is a habit with horses1 as awkward as it is common1 to turn one way and look the other4 ,at the same time always lean in your saddle towards the centre of the curve you are describing1 and at an angle increasing in proportion to your speed4 ,illustration3 ,,guiding ,,bridlewise 7,,turning ,,to ,,the ,,right74 ,some ,english writers depreciate the above method of guiding the horse1 preferring to use the bit exclusively1 but it is almost universal in the ,united ,states1 and its advantages for ordinary riders are numerous and evident4 ,indeed1 ,stonehenge1 a well-known ,english authority1 says that in 8this way a horse can be turned with a much greater degree of nicety and smoothness than by acting on the corner of his mouth40 ,,lesson ,,xiii4 ,,the ,,trot4 ,writers on the horse distinguish three kinds of trot1 viz41 the 8jog0 trot1 the 8true0 trot1 and the 8flying0 or 8,american0 trot4 ,in the first the feet remain longer on the ground than in the air1 and lazy animals are naturally fond of it1 while spirited horses sometimes drop into it from impatience of walking4 ,it is1 however1 apt to be a slovenly gait1 which1 though easy to the rider1 should hardly be permitted4 ,in the flying trot the horse leaps a considerable distance through the air at each stride--evidently a mode of progression unsuited for ladies1 who must attain speed in trotting by quickening the step without undue lengthening of the stride4 ,your first care will be to prevent your horse from losing his 8lightness10 as he will be inclined to do at every change of gait or increase of speed--and this1 while often by no means easy1 is yet a task to be thoroughly accomplished if you wish for comfort or style in the future4 ,you will observe in trotting1 as in all other gaits1 at each step a slight tug on the rein1 called by some writers the appel1 and this you will ordinarily yield your hand to1 so as to keep a steady feeling of the mouth4 ,if1 however1 the horse begins to bear on the bit1 hold your hand firmly1 with the rein just so tight that at every step he will himself thrust his jaw against the curb4 ,this will very likely bring him to his senses and restore his lightness1 and if so1 pat and praise him2 but if not1 tap him on the side with your whip1 at the same time pulling on the curb for a second or two4 ,if he does not yield to this1 repeated two or three times1 stop him short2 and when1 by the same method1 you have got him to relax his gripe of the bit and arch his neck1 allow him to go on again4 ,he will dislike excessively to be stopped and started in this way1 and when he finds that he will not be permitted to go in any way but the right one he will give up the attempt4 ,do not try to succeed by giving a long1 steady pull1 nor by using force1 as it will do no good1 and may cause the tongue to be put over the bit--a very troublesome trick4 ,remember1 in stopping1 to lean back1 and lay your whip1 by a movement of the wrist1 on the horse's back4 ,you will next turn your attention to your horse's gait4 ,as the trot is rarely so easy that a lady can sit down to it with comfort1 it is advisable to rise in the stirrup4 ,this is difficult and fatiguing if the stride is too long1 and you will therefore prevent its extending too much by giving a little tug on the rein just as each step is made1 at the same time with the heel keeping up speed and animation4 ,if your bitting has been thoroughly done1 and your horse's mouth is fine and sensitive1 you will probably find the snaffle best for trotting1 and you will give a steady support with it4 ,keep the step quick1 elastic1 perfectly cadenced1 and without any rolling of the shoulders4 ,should you happen to be mounted upon a horse which1 from bad handling or his own faulty conformation1 is disposed to 8bore10 or bear on his bit1 you will ride with the curb1 taking its reins in one hand1 but in the other hand taking the snaffle1 with the left rein drawn much tighter than the right4 ,this will have an effect quite different from what one might expect1 and will put a stop to this most fatiguing and annoying trick4 ,this recipe is not found in ,baucher's book1 but is said to have been given by him verbally to his pupils1 and it is really 8a trick worth knowing40 ,if it does not have the desired effect1 however1 when practised with the left snaffle-rein1 try it with the right1 as the mouth--for instance1 from the effect of double harness--may not be equally sensitive on both sides4 ,if you observe that the step of one foot is shorter than that of the other1 making the horse appear lame1 you may be almost sure you have fallen into the too common feminine practice of bearing too much of your weight on one side4 ,an even balance in the saddle is of capital importance1 and a rough-and-ready test is to observe whether the buttons of your habit are in the same plane as the horse's backbone1 and your shoulders nearly equidistant from his ears--points of which you can judge as well as any one4 ,in the matter of the horse's gait you must be equally exacting1 not resting so long as you can perceive the slightest irregularity or difference between the strides4 ,it is desirable to cultivate such a sensitiveness to all the horse's movements as will enable you to know where his feet are at all times without looking1 and the first step towards this is to learn to 8sit close to the saddle40 ,this firm and easy seat1 coveted by every rider1 is attained by some with much greater difficulty than by others4 ,many riders will bump about on their saddles for thousands of miles without being 8shaken into their seat10 because they neither abandon themselves to the instinct which correctly guides a child1 nor1 on the other hand1 seek out and remove the cause1 in the muscular contractions of the body and limbs4 ,a loose sack of grain set upright on horseback does not jump up and down1 and1 while it is not desirable to be quite so inert as a bag of grain1 yet a lesson may be learned from it--which is1 that the lower part of the person1 from the hips to the knees1 should be kept firmly and steadily1 though not stiffly1 in place1 while the waist1 with the back bent slightly inward1 should be as flexible as possible1 and the whole upper part of the person pliant and supple1 so as to yield with a certain nonchalance to every movement4 ,nervous riders1 like nervous horses1 are those in whom involuntary muscular contractions persist the most obstinately4 ,as both of the horse's strides are equal when the trot is true1 it seems nonsense to talk1 as some writers do1 about the 8leading foot0 in trotting2 and except that few horses are so perfectly symmetrical that both strides are equally elastic1 there should be no difference to a man on which one he 8rises10 and he will therefore spare that foot and leg which1 for any cause1 he may suppose to be the weaker4 ,a lady will without effort find the stride best suited to her4 ,horses are often trained in our ,western ,states to trot when the rider touches the back of their neck1 and to single-foot or pace when he makes play gently with the curb-bit4 ,these signals are injudicious1 because in harness a slight movement of the bit sets the horse so trained to single-footing1 and there is no way to communicate to him your wish that he should trot4 ,it is better1 therefore1 to give the signal to trot by taking a firm hold of the snaffle1 and laying your whip gently on his hind-quarter while you incite to speed with your heel4 ,after dismounting1 observe whether your horse has interfered--that is1 struck one or more of his fetlock joints with his hoofs2 should the skin be knocked off1 apply some healing ointment2 and if the joint swells1 bathe with water as hot as the hand will bear4 ,this is the best remedy for all ordinary bruises and sprains4 ,,lesson ,,xiv4 ,,the ,,gallop1 ,,hand-,,gallop1 ,,and ,,canter4 ,these are treated of by some writers as distinct1 the canter being called 8purely artificial20 but it will be convenient and sufficiently accurate for our purpose to take them up together and to consider the canter as what it in fact is--an improved1 and not an 8artificial10 gait4 ,horses undoubtedly often canter in a rude way without being taught1 as may be seen often in the field1 and not seldom in harness1 and you will probably have little trouble in getting your horse to do the same4 ,it is this natural canter which is called by country people the 8lope40 ,it is of importance1 however1 that your horse should not change his gait without orders1 no matter how hard pressed1 this being especially true if he is to be driven as well as ridden4 ,the signal to canter should1 therefore1 be such as can be given only from the saddle4 ,it is well not to use the whip for the purpose1 but to try by raising the bridle to lift the forehand1 while stimulating at the same time with the heel4 ,should he persist in trotting1 do not get vexed or discouraged1 for he is only resisting temptation to do what he has expressly been taught not to do2 but continue your incitements1 raising the bridle-hand firmly at every stride till you have got him fairly off his feet into a gallop1 when you will soothe his nerves by patting and praising him1 and gradually calm him down into a canter1 lifting your hand at every stride to prevent his relapsing into a trot4 ,when he will canter promptly at the signal1 you will get him 8light in hand0 before giving it2 then make him start without thrusting out his nose1 and keep him light by the means already detailed in the lesson on the trot4 ,next you will bring his haunches forward under him1 which is the great point1 and increase the brilliancy of his action by stimulating him with heel and whip1 while at each step you restrain him by a gentle pull1 so that he will not spring forward so far as he intended4 ,persevere until he will canter as slowly as he would walk4 ,your best guide will be to observe the action of some well-trained and well-ridden horse1 and to endeavor to obtain the same in yours4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,canter4 ,to change the leading foot in cantering is1 however1 a more difficult matter1 and we will postpone the consideration of it until his education is a little farther advanced4 ,in the mean time you will avoid turning a sharp corner at a canter4 ,the hand-gallop is simply a moderate gallop in which the ear observes three beats1 ,music as in the canter1 but swifter2 while in the extended gallop it hears but two1 ,music though given with a sort of rattle1 which shows that neither the fore nor the hind feet strike the ground exactly together1 as they do in leaping4 ,keep to the left1 as the law directs1 is an admonition on bridges and other thoroughfares in ,england which has often excited the surprise of ,americans1 very likely eliciting some such comment as 8,how stupid60 8,how perfectly ridiculous60 ,yet for many centuries it was really the only safe way to turn1 whether on foot or on horseback1 and as all our fashions of riding and driving are based upon it1 it is hard to see why the custom should have changed in this country4 ,in the olden time1 when people went about principally on horseback1 when roads were lonely and footpads plenty1 it would have been 8perfectly ridiculous0 for a man to turn to the right and expose his defenceless bridle-arm to a blow from a bludgeon or slash from a hanger4 ,much more would it have been so had he a lady under his care1 who would thus be left in the very front of danger1 whether it might be of robbery from highwaymen1 of insult from roistering riders1 or of simple injury from passing vehicles4 ,at the present day and in this country the danger last mentioned is the only one really to be feared1 and it is so considerable that the question is often raised whether a lady be not safer at the right of her cavalier2 but the still greater danger in this case of her being crushed between the horses1 in case of either one springing suddenly towards the other1 has caused it thus far to be decided in the negative4 ,there is also always a possibility--slight1 doubtless--of a lady's getting kicked or bitten when on the right2 and it might be difficult for her companion1 without risk to her limbs1 to seize her horse by the head should he become refractory4 ,in case of its becoming absolutely necessary to take a terrified or exhausted rider off of an unmanageable horse1 there would probably be time for her escort to cross behind her and place himself at her left hand4 ,now that we are on the subject1 we may give a word of caution as to some other dangers of the road4 ,among those to the rider1 the most common is shying2 but vigilance--and perpetual vigilance will be necessary--will reduce this to the rank of simple annoyance4 ,get your horse past the alarming object somehow1 even if he has to be led2 get him up to it if you can1 and then pat and praise him2 never let him hurry off after passing it2 never whip him afterwards4 ,rearing is less common than shying1 but more dangerous from the risk of pulling the horse over backward4 ,to rear he must1 of course1 spring up with the fore-legs1 and if his intention can be divined in time it may perhaps be frustrated by a smart stroke down the shoulder2 but an active animal is usually up before his rider has had time to think1 and the question is how to come safe down again4 ,to this end1 on no account pull on the bit1 but1 without letting go the rein1 grasp a thick lock of the mane and hold yourself with it as close to the neck as possible--which will throw your weight in the best place1 and prepare you to leap down1 should it be necessary4 ,if you have kept perfectly calm1 so that the horse has not suspected that you were frightened1 he will doubtless come down on his feet1 and very likely may not rear again4 ,if1 however1 you feel his hind-legs sink under him1 he will be intending to throw himself down1 and you must jump down instantly to avoid getting caught under the saddle4 ,kicking1 when coming unexpectedly1 is more likely than rearing to unseat the rider4 ,if you withstand the first assault1 however1 get the horse's head up by an energetic use of the bit1 and look out that he does not get it down again4 ,it is needless to say that should either of the last two tricks become a habit1 it will make the horse quite unfit for a lady's use4 ,if your horse is restless and disposed to jump1 or perhaps run1 when horses or vehicles rapidly approach him from behind1 occupy his attention by moving the bit a little from side to side in his mouth4 ,running away is undoubtedly serious business1 but all authorities agree that the safest plan is to let the horse run1 if there is room1 and that the best lesson for him is to make him continue running after he wishes to stop4 ,a steady pull on the bit is quite useless1 and so is any cry of 8,whoa6 whoa60 at first4 ,but after a little the bit should be vigorously sawed1 so as to sway the head from side to side if possible1 and thus confuse him1 while you speak to him in a commanding tone4 ,the dangers to the horse upon the road1 however1 are greater and more numerous than to yourself1 but they may almost all be averted by care and watchfulness on your part4 ,beware of a fast pace on hard macadam2 beware of loose stones1 which may bruise the frog or cause a tedious sprain2 beware of food1 water1 above all1 of currents of air when he is warm4 ,,lesson ,,xv4 ,,the ,,pirouette1 ,,deux ,,pistes1 ,,passage4 ,in the pirouette ordinaire of the ,french mange the horse turns upon one of his hind-legs1 walking on the other three around it1 just as in the pirouette renverse of ,lesson ,,xi4 he turned upon one of the fore-legs1 around which he walked upon the other three2 and now1 as then1 the chief difficulty is to keep him from moving the leg which is to serve as a pivot4 ,the means for accomplishing this you have already acquired1 and a pressure of the heel on the one side1 or of the crop on the other1 will prevent an intended movement of the croup1 while by the rein against the neck you move the forehand to the one side or to the other4 ,in wheeling to the left it is the left hind-foot1 and to the right the right hind-foot1 which serves as a pivot4 ,if your horse is stiff and clumsy in this exercise it will probably be because you have not got him together1 with his hind-legs well under him1 but at best you will probably find him less supple on one side than the other4 ,begin by moving the forehand but one step at a time1 keeping your horse calm1 so that he may not wound one foot with the other1 holding your own person motionless1 and gradually accustoming him to slight and delicate effects of hand1 heel1 and whip1 so that he may to a by-stander appear to move of his own volition4 ,illustration3 ,,ordinary ,,pirouette4 ,the piste 7literally 8trail0 or 8track07 in the ,french mange is an imaginary circle lying three feet distant from the wall2 which imaginary line1 however1 becomes in practice a well-defined path1 which the horse soon learns to follow with little guidance from his rider4 ,to go1 then1 8on two pistes0 is to cause the horse to advance with his body placed obliquely1 so that the hind-feet move on a different line from the fore-feet4 ,in the cut the horse is shown directly across the piste4 ,illustration3 ,,going ,,on 8,,deux ,,pistes40 ,the passage is a side movement without advancing4 ,by it the cavalry close up their ranks1 and to a civilian it is useful in many ways4 ,both of these movements you are now able to execute at pleasure4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,passage4 ,,lesson ,,xvi4 ,,backing4 ,this lesson has been deferred thus far because1 while it is one of the most practically and frequently useful1 yet it is also the method which the horse naturally takes to escape from the unwonted constraint put upon the muscles of his neck and jaw in the course of the preceding lessons4 ,you have had1 therefore1 to be on your guard hitherto against it2 and had you taught it earlier you would have found your horse cunning enough to pretend to believe every play of the bit to be a signal to step back1 and thus protract the instruction4 ,having1 then1 got your horse1 as usual1 well in hand1 lean back and give a pull on the reins4 ,if he steps back1 well2 if not1 touch him with the heel or tap his side with the crop1 and when he lifts his foot to step forward repeat the pull on the reins1 when the foot will be replaced farther back2 then pat and praise him1 and persevere until he will1 at each tug of the reins1 move backward one step and no more4 ,should he swerve to right or left1 straighten him by a tap or pressure of the crop on his right side1 or by the pressure of the heel on the left1 as the case may require4 ,illustration3 ,,backing4 ,your horse having learned to obey the pressure of the rein upon the neck1 you may now1 if you choose1 adopt another method of holding the reins4 ,it differs from that described in ,lesson ,,xiii4 in that the two snaffle reins1 instead of being separated by three fingers1 have only one--the middle finger--between them2 while the curb-reins1 instead of coming into the hand between the snaffle-reins1 come in below1 having the little finger inserted between them4 ,illustration3 ,,reins ,,in ,,hand4 ,this method1 though formerly the one usually taught1 being that adopted by the ,english cavalry1 has not1 on the whole1 as many advantages as the other for a civilian4 ,illustration3 ,,act ,,of ,,changing ,,reins4 ,if you have occasion to use the left hand1 or wish to rest it1 change the reins into the right hand by placing the right1 still holding the whip1 over and in front of the left1 both palms downward1 inserting the right fore-finger between the reins separated by the left little finger1 and so on1 then grasping all together with the whip1 and allowing the ends to pass out to the right4 ,this does not disarrange the reins1 but makes it possible for you to take them back into the left hand in an instant by passing the left hand in like manner over the right4 ,,lesson ,,xvii4 ,,riding ,,in ,,circles4--,,change ,,of ,,leading ,,foot4 ,you are now prepared to practise with profit a simple exercise1 which you will find interesting to yourself1 and1 if carefully done1 very improving to your horse4 ,it is the riding in circles of small diameter4 ,mark out a number of rings of various sizes in some pasture-field with white pebbles or beans or small scraps of white paper1 which may be scattered at intervals of two or three feet1 so that the figures may not be remarked by the horse1 but that he may receive his instruction from you only4 ,let the circles touch one another1 so that you may change from one into the other1 and thus turn to the right and left alternately4 ,begin at a walk1 then proceed to a trot1 practising first on the large circles1 and then taking the smaller ones4 ,keep your horse 8light in hand10 and do not let him place his body across the line1 but make him follow it accurately1 with his neck and body bent around to the curve which it describes4 ,when he is perfect in this exercise on level ground1 move to some hill-side and begin again4 ,when he can do figure #h's of a small size accurately at a smart trot on a pretty steep slope1 you may congratulate your self on having made good progress1 and may begin to do the large circles on level ground at a canter4 ,here comes in the troublesome matter of the 8leading foot10 and if you do not understand it1 you must not be discouraged1 for many persons ride 8hit or miss0 their whole lives long without thinking or knowing anything about it4 ,the expression1 besides1 is misleading1 and you will do well to study up the subject first on straight lines4 ,get a friend to canter beside you1 and observe the motion of his horse's feet4 ,you will see that the two fore-feet and the two hind-feet strike the ground not only one later than the other1 but one in advance of the other1 and that the one which leaves the ground last steps past the other and is planted farthest forward4 ,it is this foot taking the long stride which is called1 although it moves last1 the 8leading foot40 ,illustration3 ,,leading ,,with ,,the ,,right ,,fore-,,foot4 ,it ought not to make any difference to the horse with which foot he leads1 nor to his rider1 if a man1 so long as he follows a straight line2 but whenever he has to turn1 it becomes both to horse and rider of importance--if the curve is sharp1 of very great importance--that he should lead on the side towards which he is to turn4 ,a little observation of your companion's horse when turning will make the reason clear to you4 ,a woman's seat being on the left side of the horse1 it is easier for her that the shoulder having the most motion should be on the right side1 and ladies' saddle-horses are consequently trained to lead with the right foot2 the result1 we may remark1 often being that the fore-foot which does most work gives out before the others4 ,illustration3 ,,leading ,,with ,,the ,,left ,,fore-,,foot4 ,the horse so trained1 however1 is in this way always ready to wheel to the right2 but when he turns to the left1 whether carrying man or woman1 he must change and lead with the left foot2 and if he has not sense enough to do so himself1 you must teach him4 ,this1 really1 is not an easy task for an amateur1 especially for the amateur feminine1 who has not the efficient masculine resource of a pair of spurred heels4 ,even with their aid a man is often so embarrassed to make his horse comprehend that he gives up the attempt1 and contents himself with 8slowing down0 before turning1 his failure usually resulting from the insufficient previous training of the horse1 coupled with his own ignorance of the successive short steps by which the latter may be led up to the performance of the wished-for act4 ,if you have been exact in the instruction hitherto given--if your bitting has been so thorough that your horse remains 8light in hand0 during all the manuvres described in the foregoing lessons2 if he responds instantly to the pressure of the rein upon the neck1 and to the touch of the heel and of the whip upon the flank1 so that you can move the forehand and the croup separately or at the same time in the same or in opposite directions2 if he will rise from a walk into a canter without trotting2 and if1 finally1 your drilling in the flexions of the neck permits you to bend his head to right or left when at rest or in motion without affecting the position of the forehand--then your horse is thoroughly prepared for the present lesson2 and the same tact and patience which have brought you on thus far will assuredly carry you triumphantly through it4 ,first1 however1 you should learn to tell with which foot you are leading1 and you can do so by leaning forward in the saddle while cantering1 when you will see that the knee of the leading leg is thrown up higher than its fellow1 and by bending still farther you may see this foot planted in advance upon the ground4 ,if your horse has never been trained1 it is as likely to be one foot as the other4 ,now1 the first step to be taken is to put your horse in such a position that it will be easy and natural for him to lead off with the desired foot1 and awkward to lead off with the other4 ,this position is with the head turned in the direction you wish to go1 and with the croup advanced a little in the same direction1 so that the body is placed obliquely across the line of advance4 ,thus1 if you wish to lead with the right foot1 you keep his head turned in the direction you wish to go1 while with the heel you move the croup over two steps to the right2 then1 touching him with the heel and raising the hand1 you give the signal to canter1 and he will probably lead off with the right foot4 ,if not1 stop him and try again1 giving him a sharp cut with your whip just behind the right shoulder4 ,to lead with the left the process is reversed1 the croup being moved two steps to the left before the signal to canter is given1 a sudden dig with the heel behind the shoulder conveying to the horse the hint to hurry forward his left leg4 ,you can now begin to canter on the circles you have marked out2 you will1 however1 at first come down to a walk before changing from one circle to an adjoining one--which change1 of course1 reverses the curve1 and makes it necessary to change the leading foot4 ,this figure eight riding1 thus1 1 is most useful both for horse and rider when it is carefully done4 ,keep the horse 8light in hand10 and above all1 collected--viz41 with his haunches well under him1 and always with his feet exactly in the circle and his neck and body bent to the curve4 ,as soon as he will lead off correctly from a walk1 begin to teach him to do so from the trot2 and when this lesson has been learned1 practise him on the double circles1 or figure #h's1 beginning at a trot1 and lifting him into a canter just as you pass from one circle to the other4 ,this will accustom him to the idea of a change of movement at the time of a change in direction4 ,having got him to canter1 continue on the same circle many times around and around1 then bring him to a trot1 and pass to the adjoining circle1 lifting him to a canter just as you turn into it1 as before1 but of course leading with the opposite foot4 ,make your circles smaller and smaller1 and continue till he has had time to appreciate the importance of leading correctly2 then try to make him change at a canter1 choosing for the purpose one of your smallest figure #h's1 and indicating to him the change of foot on the same spot and in the same way as when you began by trotting1 and you will no doubt be immediately successful4 ,if the horse in changing the lead of the fore-feet does not make the corresponding change with the hind-feet1 he is said to be disunited4 ,this fault must be corrected immediately1 as it renders his gait not only uncomfortable to the rider1 but very insecure4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,etiquette ,,in ,,the ,,saddle4 ,there is a large class of excellent people who feel a decided impatience at the very name of etiquette4 8,it is all nonsense10 they say1 and they will give you various infallible receipts for getting on without such an objectionable article4 ,one admonishes you to be 8natural10 and your manners will leave nothing to be desired4 ,another sagaciously defines politeness to be 8kindness kindly expressed10 and intimates that if your heart is right your deportment cannot fail to be so too4 ,all these philosophizings1 however1 give little comfort to the bashful young person just venturing into society1 for unfortunately few of us are so happily constituted as always to think1 much less to say and do1 exactly the right thing at the right time1 and the most unobservant presently discovers1 very likely at the cost of no small mortification1 that the usages of society1 even when apparently arbitrary1 cannot be disregarded with impunity4 ,in the etiquette of the saddle1 however1 common-sense takes so decidedly precedence of the arbitrary and conventional that no courageous1 kind-hearted1 and sensible young girl1 however inexperienced1 need be afraid of committing any fatal solecism4 ,the reason of this is that the element of danger is never entirely absent1 and that the importance of assuring the safety and comfort of yourself and companions1 to say nothing of lookers-on and passers-by1 or of the noble and valuable animal you ride1 far transcends that of observing any mere forms and ceremonies4 ,,dress4 ,fashion at present1 both in this country and in ,england1 requires that the whole riding costume be as simple as possible1 and entirely without ornament4 ,formerly much more latitude was allowed1 and very pretty effects were produced with braid trimming across the breast1 a little color at the neck1 and a slouched hat with long feather or floating veil--witness the picture of the ,empress ,eugnie when ,countess ,montijo1 and many a charming family portrait besides--but now fashion pronounces all that sort of thing 8bad form10 and a word to the wise is sufficient4 ,the habit itself must be quite dark1 or even black1 perfectly plain in the waist1 with black buttons up to the neck1 and with a scant1 short skirt only just long enough to cover the feet4 ,the cuffs and collar must be of plain linen1 no color or flutter of ribbon being anywhere permissible4 ,the handkerchief must not be thrust in the breast1 but kept in the saddle pocket1 and if a veil is worn1 it must be short and black4 ,the hair should be so securely put up that it will not shake down1 and that the hair-pins will not work out4 ,in the matter of the hat more freedom of choice is allowed1 and in the country almost anything may be worn1 but wherever there is any pretence of dressing1 the only correct thing is the regulation silk 8cylinder10 which1 by-the-bye1 usually looks better rather low in the crown1 and which is every way a pleasanter and more serviceable hat than ladies who have never worn one are apt to imagine4 ,about the cutting of a riding-habit1 it may be remarked1 there is nothing mysterious1 although one might think so from the way it is often talked about1 especially in the advertisements of fashionable tailors1 and there is no reason in the world why any clever young girl should not make one for herself if she chooses4 ,the only eccentricity about it1 from the dress-making point of view1 is the shaping out of a place for the right knee1 so that the skirt may hang straight and not ruck up1 and this can easily be managed at home by improvising a horse with a couple of chairs and a rolled-up rug1 putting the saddle on it1 and trying the effect in place4 ,be careful to leave plenty of room across the breast4 ,a couple of straps should be sewn inside in the proper place1 so that the toe or heel of each foot may be inserted to prevent the skirt from rising and exposing the feet2 and these straps should not be strong1 but1 on the contrary1 like all other parts of the skirt1 and particularly the facing1 should be made so as certainly to tear loose instantly in case of getting caught in a fall4 ,before leaving the habit1 we may remark that the wearer should practise gathering it up1 holding it in one hand1 and walking in it at home1 and if possible before a mirror4 ,no petticoats ought to be worn1 but merino drawers1 and easy trousers of the same stuff as the rest of the habit4 ,beware of badly made seams1 which have a vexatious way1 as many a masculine wearer can testify1 of pinching out a bit of skin at some inopportune moment4 ,the trousers should be cut away a little over the instep1 and fastened down under the sole with straps1 which may be either sewed on or attached by buttons inside the band1 in which case india-rubber is the best material1 being easy alike on buttons1 stuff1 and fingers4 ,corsets should be worn as usual1 but never laced tight1 and it would be better that they should not have steel clasps or steel springs1 which might be dangerous in case of a fall4 ,the boots should be easy1 broad-soled1 low-heeled1 and rather laced than buttoned1 as less likely on the one hand to catch in the stirrup1 and on the other to bruise the foot by chafing against the saddle4 ,the gloves should be strong1 but supple and easy1 as it is important that every finger should have free and independent movement4 ,tight gloves not only benumb the hands in cold weather1 but always cause an awkward handling of the reins1 and may be positively dangerous with a fresh horse4 ,as to the relative merits of crop and whip1 there is room for difference of opinion4 ,by many persons the former is looked upon as a senseless affectation of ,english ways1 but the fact is that with a horse regularly trained to the saddle it is more useful than a whip1 as by its aid a lady can 8collect0 her horse--that is1 can make him bring his hind-legs under him1 in the same way that a man does by the pressure of his calves4 ,if1 however1 the horse has never been trained1 and is sluggish or wilful1 a whip may be more useful4 ,whichever of the two produces the better results will have the more 8workmanlike0 look and be in the 8better form40 ,,the ,,mount4 ,it is undoubtedly much pleasanter and more exhilarating to ride a good and handsome horse than a poor and ugly one1 a horse adapted to one's size and weight than one too large or too small1 too heavy or too light2 but none of these points are matters of etiquette4 ,on this whole subject etiquette makes only one demand1 but that one is inexorable--it is perfect neatness4 ,a lady's mount must be immaculate from ear to hoof1 in coat and mane and entire equipment4 ,it is in a great degree their exquisite neatness that gives such an air of style not only to ,english horsewomen1 but to ,english turn-outs of all kinds1 which1 nevertheless1 have not usually the 8spick and span new0 look of fashionable ,american equipages4 ,on coming out1 therefore1 prepared for a ride1 take time to look your horse over swiftly1 but keenly1 noting first that his eye and general appearance indicate good health and spirits2 secondly1 that he has been thoroughly groomed1 his mane freed from dandruff1 his hoofs washed1 but not blacked2 thirdly1 that the saddle and bridle are perfectly clean and properly put on4 ,every buckle should have been undone and cleansed1 the leather suppled1 and the bright metal polished2 the girths1 three in number--never fewer than two--should be snug1 but not tight enough to impede free breathing2 the bits in their proper place1 that is to say1 the snaffle just high enough up not to wrinkle the corners of the mouth1 and the curb considerably lower1 with its chain1 which should pass below the snaffle1 lying flat and smooth against the skin in the chin groove2 finally1 the throat-latch loose4 ,while it is not always wise to reprimand carelessness on the part of your groom on the spot1 it is well never to let it pass unnoticed1 while1 on the other hand1 it is a good plan always to show appreciation of especial attention to your wishes by a kind word or a smile4 ,,mounting4 ,it is rather a trying ordeal for an inexperienced rider to mount a tall horse from the ground1 even when there are no lookers-on1 and many a one remains in bondage to chairs and horse-blocks all her life long rather than undertake it4 ,the feat1 however1 is really so much easier than it looks1 and when well performed makes the rider appear so agile and graceful1 giving such an air of style and savoir-faire to the departure1 that it is well worth every lady's while to acquire it4 ,the first requisite is that the horse should stand still1 and for this purpose the attendant should have given him some preliminary exercise1 as the fresh air and bright light are so exhilarating to a high-strung horse that he cannot at first restrain his impulse to caper about4 ,this preparatory airing should be entered upon invariably as calmly as possible1 and begun at a walk1 for a flurry at starting1 and especially the use of the whip1 will often disturb a horse's nerves for hours1 making him unpleasant if not dangerous to ride4 ,when the horse is brought to the door1 let the groom stand directly in front of him1 holding the bridle not by the rein1 but with both hands by each cheek1 just above the bit4 ,if he is a proud and sensitive animal1 do not rush up to him excitedly with a slamming of doors and gates1 nor allow any one else to do so1 but approach with gentle steadiness4 ,stand a moment and look him over1 give your orders quietly1 and pat his neck for a moment1 speaking pleasantly to him the while1 so that he may get accustomed to your voice4 ,illustration3 ,,ready ,,to ,,mount4 ,now standing with your right side a few inches from the saddle1 facing the same way as the horse1 and with your left shoulder slightly thrown back1 place the right hand on the second pommel1 holding in it the whip1 and the reins drawn just tight enough to give a feeling of the bit4 ,your attendant will stand facing you1 and as close as convenient1 and will now stoop forward1 with his hands clasped and with his right forearm firmly supported on his right thigh4 ,now with your left hand lift your riding-skirt in front1 and place your left foot in his hands4 ,let go the skirt1 rest your left hand on his shoulder1 and giving him the cue by bending the right knee1 spring up erect on the left foot1 and1 seating yourself sideways on the saddle1 place the right knee over the horn4 ,illustration3 8,,one1 ,,two1 ,,three40 ,if your attendant is unused to rendering such service1 you had better make your first essays in some secluded place1 in which you can instruct him where to stand1 just how high to lift your foot1 and caution him to put forth strength enough to support you steadily1 without lifting too violently4 ,do not be deterred by awkwardness on his part or on your own from learning to mount from the ground1 for the more awkward1 the better practice for you4 ,your attendant will now lift your skirt above the knee1 so that it will hang properly without dragging1 and then disengaging the stirrup from beneath the skirt1 will place your left foot in it4 ,illustration3 ,,placing ,,the ,,foot ,,in ,,the ,,stirrup4 ,too much care cannot be taken with the position in the saddle1 which should be exactly as shown in the following cut4 ,the left leg should invariably hang perpendicularly from the knee1 with the heel depressed1 and with the foot parallel with the horse's side4 ,the length of the stirrup-strap should be such that the knee thus is out of contact with the hunting-horn1 but near enough to be brought firmly up against it by raising the heel4 ,the right knee should rest easily but snugly over the pommel1 so as to grasp it in case the horse springs4 ,neither foot should be allowed to sway about nor to project so as to be seen awkwardly poking out the skirt4 ,if your clothing does not feel quite comfortable1 rise in your stirrup and shake it down1 resting your hand1 if necessary1 on your attendant's shoulder1 for it will be very awkward should it become disarranged on the road4 ,now put your handkerchief in the saddle pocket1 take the reins in the left hand1 or in both hands1 as you prefer1 and start the horse by a touch with the heel4 ,illustration3 ,,position ,,in ,,saddle4 ,it is1 of course1 the correct thing to mount from the ground1 if possible1 but here again common-sense comes so decidedly to the front that it is not too much to say that the sole indispensable requirement of an enlightened etiquette is good-nature4 ,certain it is that the eye masculine will follow with pleasure1 and perhaps with some emotion1 the movements of the young girl who comes out bright and fresh1 gives her horse a pat or two1 with a lump of sugar1 as she glances him quickly over1 looks kindly at her stable-boy1 and then skips gayly into the saddle from a chair brought out by a maid1 while the same eye will rest quite unmoved1 except by a spirit of criticism1 on the self-conscious and selfish damsel1 though she be put on in the most approved manner by the smartest groom who ever wore top-boots4 ,mount1 then1 from the ground1 if you have some one to put you on and some one to hold your horse2 or1 if the horse will stand without holding1 cautioning your escort--if you are not sure of his expertness in such services--to be sure to raise your foot straight up1 and to give you warning by counting one1 two1 so that you may be certain to have the leg straightened before he begins to lift1 as otherwise the result may be the reverse of graceful4 ,when in the saddle1 rise in your stirrup1 as already suggested1 and smooth down your dress1 meantime thanking your escort and telling him how well he did it4 ,this smoothing down of the skirt it is a good plan to practise frequently1 first standing1 then at a walk1 then at a trot1 till you can do it deftly1 almost without thought1 for there is no telling at what inopportune moment it may become necessary4 ,to mount from the ground without assistance is a feat which few ladies would voluntarily undertake4 ,it may be accomplished in an emergency1 however1 if the horse is quiet and not too tall1 by lowering the stirrup sufficiently to reach it with the left foot1 and springing up with the aid of the hands1 the left of which should grasp the mane and the right the cantle of the saddle4 ,,the ,,start4 ,do not put your horse in motion by a cut with the whip1 which would be trying to his nerves1 nor by chirping or clucking1 which would be equally trying to the nerves of your companions1 but by a touch with the heel1 or a pressure between your heel on the left side and your crop on the right4 ,if other ladies are to be mounted1 move on so far that they will be in no danger1 either real or imaginary1 from your horse's heels1 and never at any time put him in such a position that he can kick any one1 or that you can get kicked yourself by any other horse4 ,if you have to turn about on starting1 try to do so by making your horse step around with his hind-legs 7in the technical phrase1 pirouette renverse71 so as to avoid turning your back and presenting his haunches towards any one with whom you may be talking or from whom you are to take leave4 ,to be able to do this easily and gracefully you must have him well 8collected0 and 8light in hand40 ,,on ,,which ,,side ,,to ,,ride4 ,the next question that arises is on which side of her escort a lady should ride4 ,this point1 so much discussed and disputed in this country1 is scarcely raised in ,england1 where the universal habit of turning to the left makes it1 under almost all circumstances1 safer for her to be on his left1 in which position he finds himself always interposed between his charge and any passing vehicle1 whether it come from before or from behind4 ,in this country1 however1 we have adopted--nobody knows why1 unless it is because the ,french do so--the rule of keeping to the right1 and yet without changing our manner of riding and driving1 so that the result is often awkward and even dangerous4 ,the teamster who used to walk on the left of his horses1 so as to lead them out of the way when occasion required1 still walks on the left1 which now puts him in the middle of the road2 the coachman still sits on the right1 though the probability of contact has changed over to the other side2 the lady's seat is still on the left side of the horse1 which obliges her to choose between the danger of being caught by passing wheels or crushed by the horse of her escort4 ,as there is no reason in the world1 whether in the conformation of the female form or of the horse itself1 or in the exigencies of equestrianism1 that makes it inherently more proper to sit on one side of the horse rather than on the other1 it seems strange that none of our independent ,american ladies should have undertaken to set the fashion of sitting on the right side4 ,the ,princess of ,wales always does so1 for some special reason4 ,the ,empress of ,austria1 who is well known as one of the boldest and most graceful riders as well as one of the most beautiful women in ,europe1 is said to have saddles made in both ways1 using them alternately1 and this plan is adopted by more than one of the noble ladies of ,england who hunt regularly in the season1 with a view of preventing too constant a strain on the same set of nerves1 and possibly causing an unequal development of the two sides of the person4 ,however1 accepting the present feminine seat as a thing not to be changed1 the advantages in this country of riding on the one hand of the escort or on the other are so equally divided that the balance may incline to either side1 and a lady is always free to do about it as she pleases without exciting remark4 ,when riding on the right side1 the lady is protected from passing vehicles1 and the gentleman has his right hand free to assist her in any way1 even to taking her off her horse in case of necessity2 but if either horse were to shy towards the other1 she might get bruised1 and she is always liable to an occasional contact with her companion's person1 which may not be pleasant4 ,children should certainly be kept on the right1 and so should any inexperienced or very timid person2 and at all times a gentleman should interpose himself between the lady under his charge and danger of any kind--as1 for instance1 reckless drivers1 rude strollers1 or a drove of cattle4 ,when riding on the left1 the lady is undoubtedly in a more exposed position1 especially if her horse is disposed to dance or shy at rattling wagons and the like2 but her escort1 being able to ride closer to her1 is enabled more quickly and safely to take the animal by the head1 if necessary1 and under all circumstances he should hold his reins and whip in his right hand1 and in case of danger keep his horse well 8collected10 so as to be ready to act promptly and without any show of excitement4 ,,the ,,seat4 ,position4--,the lady's position on horseback is so conspicuous that the fact ought to stimulate the most indifferent so to place and carry herself as to show her figure to the best advantage1 and this graceful carriage of the person will be found to be the first step towards achieving a firm and easy seat4 ,the posture should be erect1 the back slightly hollowed1 the breast thrown forward1 the chin drawn in so that the neck will be nearly vertical4 ,the lower limbs should rest easily but firmly in their respective places1 the left leg hanging perpendicularly from the knee downward1 with heel slightly depressed1 and foot parallel with the horse's side1 the right toe raised a little above the horizontal1 but not carried far enough forward to poke up the riding habit4 ,the seat should be in the middle of the saddle1 not on the right side of it with the body inclined to the left1 which is excessively awkward1 nor on the left side with an inclination to the right1 which is equally awkward1 and with the additional disadvantage of being sure to cause saddle galls4 ,when the body is consciously balanced on the horse's back1 when the shoulders are equidistant from his ears1 and when the eyes1 looking between said ears 7an excellent habit71 look straight along the road1 and not off obliquely to one side of it1 then the seat1 whatever else it may not be1 is at least in the middle of the saddle4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,square ,,and ,,proper ,,seat4 ,the ,hand4--,as to the manner of carrying the arms1 ,colonel ,hayes remarks that he has seen of late 7in ,england7 some ladies sticking out their elbows1 but that he1 for his part1 decidedly approves of the old rule which forbade that daylight should be seen between a lady's arms and body4 ,the sight which annoyed ,colonel ,hayes is not unknown in ,america1 but probably most observers correctly attribute it either to ignorance or affectation4 ,certainly there is no reason for it1 whether practical or sthetic1 as the raising of the elbows lifts the hands into a position in which the reins act less correctly on the horse's mouth1 while substituting angles for curves in the outline of the figure1 and quite destroying the air of well-bred repose which is one of the great charms of a finished horsewoman4 ,the arms should hang naturally by the sides1 with the hands1 a few inches apart1 just above the knee1 and as low as possible without resting on it1 the nails turned down1 the knuckles at an angle of forty-five degrees with the horizon1 the wrists bent inward so as to permit of a little play of the wrist joint at each tug of the horse on the reins4 ,the ,poise4--,all this is not very difficult so long as the horse keeps quiet1 or even when he merely walks2 but how is this much-admired statuesque repose to be preserved at the trot1 the canter1 the gallop1 to say nothing of incidental shying and capering8 ,there is only one answer to this question1 and that is--practice4 ,but even practice is usually not sufficient without an accompaniment1 infrequent and not always pleasant1 viz41 frank and unflattering criticism2 and every one who really wishes to excel1 and to merit the praises which as woman she is certain to receive1 will see to it that this wholesome corrective is often at hand4 ,practice itself1 to be profitable1 must be intelligent1 and the cause of any discomfort from the motion of the horse should be sought out and removed4 ,it will be found almost always to result from involuntary muscular contractions1 especially of the waist1 which should invariably be kept supple1 as it is to a slight play of loin and thigh that the rider must look to prevent being thrown up by each spring of the hind-legs in cantering or galloping4 ,in rising to the trot1 bear outwardly with the left heel1 which will keep the knee close against the saddle1 and prevent the leg from swaying about4 ,at the same time be careful not to rise towards the left--an awkward but very common habit1 which can be detected by the plan already suggested of sighting between the horse's ears4 ,mr4 ,sidney says1 8,the ideal of a fine horsewoman is to be erect without being rigid1 square to the front1 and until quite at home in the saddle1 looking religiously between her horse's ears4 ,the shoulders must therefore be square1 but thrown back a little1 so as to expand the chest and make a hollow waist1 such as is observed in waltzing1 but always flexible4 ,on the flexibility of the person above the waist1 and on the firmness below1 all the grace of equestrianism1 all the safety1 depend4 ,nervousness makes both men and women poke their heads forward--a stupid trick in a man1 unpardonable in a woman4 ,a lady should bend like a willow in a storm1 always returning to an easy and nearly upright position4 ,nothing but practice--frequent1 but not too long continued--can establish the all-important balance4 ,practice1 and practice only1 enables the rider instinctively to bear to the proper side1 or lean back1 as a horse turns1 bounds1 or leaps40 ,it is evidently not simply pounding along the high-road in a straight line on a steady nag which is here meant4 ,the following advice1 given by a lady who is herself an accomplished horsewoman1 will furnish a clew to the sort of exercise which will be really profitable4 ,she says1 8,let the pupil practise riding in circles to the right1 sitting upright1 but bending a little to the horse's motion1 following his nose with her eye2 beginning with a walk1 proceed to a slow trot1 increasing the action as she gains firmness in the saddle4 ,when in a smart trot on a circle to the right she can1 leaning as she should to the right1 see the feet of the horse on the right side1 it may be assumed that she has arrived at a firm seat40 ,another excellent exercise is to lean over1 now to one side1 now to the other1 now in front1 far enough to observe the horse's action1 the motion of his feet1 and the regularity of his step4 ,,on ,,the ,,road4 ,if good-nature is the quality most essential to mounting in a pleasing manner1 that which will cause a lady to shine most on the road is kindness4 ,such a statement will perhaps bring a smile to the lips of some dashing girl who thinks that she has other means of pleasing1 once mounted on a spirited horse1 than the practice of any of the ,christian virtues2 but the writer1 after many years' experience with amazones both young and old1 believes it to be literally true4 ,a lady who1 without weakness1 is gentle and thoughtful1 will have1 other things being equal1 more sympathetic obedience from her horse1 a finer hand1 a more supple seat1 and will bring him back fresher and her whole party home in better spirits than one who is not4 ,to begin with1 there is almost always one of the horses which is not equal to the others1 but keeps up with difficulty1 and as it is precisely that horse which should set the pace for the rest1 it is well to observe the capacity of the different animals1 and spare the feelings of any one of the party who may be poorly mounted4 ,one might hardly suppose it necessary to mention so elementary a rule of politeness as that which bids us1 when we ride in company1 not to keep always in the best part of the road2 but horses are sometimes selfish as well as human beings1 and the selfish horse1 like the selfish man1 unless he is prevented1 will imperceptibly crowd his patient companion into the ruts1 when the rider will get the credit or discredit of the action4 ,another too common piece of thoughtlessness is the splashing at full speed through mud puddles1 the result of which is naturally more apparent to one's neighbors than to one's self4 ,if to an equestrian1 however1 being splashed or spattered is annoying1 to a pedestrian it is nothing less than exasperating1 and such a one will look after the person guilty of the rudeness with eyes of anything but admiration4 ,one cannot be too careful1 indeed1 when riding near pedestrians1 as they are decidedly susceptible under such circumstances1 and likely to take offence2 and especially is caution required where women and children are concerned1 for it is impossible to conjecture what they will do if suddenly startled by the rapid approach of horses4 ,the writer saw1 one afternoon1 a nursery-maid crossing ,rotten ,row with a baby-carriage 7,anglice1 perambulator71 and two children holding to her skirts4 ,when half-way over1 a lady and three gentlemen came galloping down1 followed by two grooms4 ,the children scattered1 the riders could not pull up1 and for an instant it seemed as if the little party were doomed to destruction1 as the horses appeared to pass right over some of them4 ,the ,english rule1 not only for country riding1 but for the ,park or other public places 7and an excellent one it is71 requires a gentleman to pull up and pass a lady1 if alone1 at a walk1 whether she be on foot or on horseback1 and though more latitude may be allowed a lady1 yet she should not gallop up suddenly behind another lady who is alone1 as a nervous horse might be so excited as to cause great uneasiness to a timid rider4 ,if you should unfortunately produce such a result1 by all means pause and express regret1 and if your horse is quiet1 offer to ride for a few minutes beside the sufferer--for so she may be called4 ,in passing on the road1 the rule is1 when meeting1 to keep to the right1 but when overtaking1 to pass to the left1 and in like manner1 when overtaken1 to keep to the right1 so as to leave the road free at your left4 ,the only exception to this rule is in the case of led-horses1 which1 as they are often inclined to kick1 should be avoided by passing next to the one ridden4 ,when approaching a lady in a public place a gentleman should always do so on the off or right side4 ,it is sometimes rather a nice point to decide when assistance ought to be offered by a gentleman to a lady with whom he is not acquainted1 and1 if offered1 whether it ought to be accepted4 ,the following incident1 recounted by ,sir ,joseph ,arnould in his 8,life of ,lord ,chief-justice ,denman10 is interesting as showing how such a question was discussed in what may certainly be considered as among the very best society in ,england4 ,he says that on occasion of a visit which the ,lord ,chief-justice paid to ,walmer ,castle1 three years before the ,duke of ,wellington's death1 in a conversation about riding1 the duke said1 8,when ,i meet a lady on horseback ,i always stop1 and if her horse seems troublesome1 offer to ride alongside her in the ,row till it is quiet4 ,the other day ,i met a lady on a fresh1 violent horse1 so ,i took off my hat and said1 #8,shall ,i ride with you8 ,my horse is perfectly quiet4' ,she knew me1 for she replied1 #8,no1 your ,grace2 ,i think ,i can get on very well4' ,after she was gone1 ,i felt sure it was ,jenny ,lind40 8,we all agreed10 adds ,lord ,denman1 8that the great singer should have accepted the services of the great duke1 whether she wanted them or not40 ,it is better not to fight a restive horse unless you have reason to be sure of victory1 but rather get some one to lead him past the object or into the road which he may have taken it into his foolish head to object to4 ,if he is in 8that state of nervous irritability known as freshness0 do not jerk the bit1 but keep a steady1 patient bearing on it1 speaking soothingly to him in a low though steady voice1 for his acute hearing will enable him to perceive distinctly tones which are almost or quite inaudible to your companions4 ,try not to have an anxious expression of countenance1 no matter what he may do1 but to look serene and smiling1 as it will not only be more becoming1 but will undoubtedly react upon your own feelings4 ,if he pulls1 it is well to take the slack of the right reins in the spare fingers of the left1 and vice versa1 as this will give a firmer hold1 and enable you to shorten the reins without relaxing their tension4 ,illustration3 ,,method ,,of ,,holding ,,the ,,reins ,,in ,,both ,,hands4 ,always speak to your horse on approaching and on leaving him1 and also whenever he has tried especially to please you1 as your voice will soon come to have a great influence over him4 ,there is a story told of two keepers in a zoological garden1 one of whom was a favorite with the animals1 while the other1 though a more conscientious man1 was disliked by them4 ,the authorities1 curious to learn the reason1 had them watched1 and it was found that the former always talked to the animals1 while the latter served them silently4 ,too much conversation with one's horse1 however1 is apt to get to be a bore to one's companions4 ,,the ,,pace4 ,this should vary with the nature of the ground1 as it is dangerous to the horse1 and consequently very bad form1 to ride fast on a very rough or hard road4 ,if slippery1 a smart trot is safer than a slow trot or walk2 but if walking1 by all means let the horse have his head4 ,if a steep place is to be descended1 attack it at right angles1 and not obliquely1 for1 when going down straight1 a slip is likely to have no worse result than a momentary sitting down on the haunches1 whereas1 if going diagonally1 it would probably bring the horse down flat4 ,the canter1 which is peculiarly the lady's pace1 is much harder than the trot on the horse's feet and legs1 especially on the leading foot and leg1 and it should be reserved for comparatively soft ground4 ,the lead with the right foot is easier for a lady1 owing to her one-sided seat1 than that with the left1 and it would be considered awkward or ignorant for her not to start off with the right1 although during a long ride it is well to change1 so as to bring the strain upon a new set of muscles4 ,,turning4 ,of course in turning you must always lead towards the turn1 that is1 with the right foot in turning to the right1 and with the left in turning to the left4 ,for instance1 if you have to round a corner to the right1 and are leading with the right foot1 as will probably be the case1 you have nothing to do but to go on around1 being careful to choose good footing for your horse1 and avoiding particularly loose stones4 ,if1 however1 you are leading with the left1 you must change1 and you can best do so in the following manner4 ,as you approach the critical spot1 collect your horse with the curb1 and bring him to a trot2 then1 just as you reach the corner1 make him swerve slightly to the left and instantly give the signal to canter1 at the same time turning him sharply to the right1 pressing your heel against his side back of the girth1 and lifting the right snaffle-rein4 ,it is well to draw back the right shoulder also1 so as to throw your weight on his left side1 and leave his right leg free to make the long stride4 ,as this is by no means an easy operation for an unskilled rider1 except on a perfectly trained horse1 ,i will give the directions also in detail for the reverse process of wheeling to the left4 ,if your horse should be leading with the left foot1 you have1 of course1 no change to make4 ,if1 however1 you are1 as usual1 leading with the right1 you must 8change the leg0 to the left4 ,as you draw near the corner1 moderate your speed and collect your horse with the curb1 bringing him to a trot4 ,then1 just at the moment of turning1 sway his shoulders a very little to the right1 give the signal to canter by raising your hand1 and wheel sharply to the left1 at the same time pressing your crop against his right side back of the girth1 and raising the left snaffle-rein4 ,while doing so1 draw back your left shoulder so as to throw your weight on the right side4 ,if he does not take the hint at once1 do not be discouraged1 but practise him in some quiet place1 choosing1 if possible1 a corner where the turn is uphill2 and when he does well1 pat him and make much of him1 for you will find that no one of your admirers is more sensitive to your praises than he4 ,this matter of turning is well worth all the trouble it may cost you1 as it will give you a lively pleasure to find your horse's powerful limbs moving sympathetically to the gentle impulses of a woman's hand1 and1 besides1 it lends an air of style and savoir-faire which will be fully appreciated by every looker-on who knows anything whatever about riding4 ,be particular to lean over towards the centre of the curve you are describing at an angle proportionate to the speed1 just as the horse does himself1 that is1 leaning to the right side as he wheels to the right1 and to the left when he wheels to the left4 ,it is well not to let him cut off his corners1 but to preserve the same distance from the centre of the road1 just as if you were riding in company1 and when this last is the case be careful to keep exactly abreast both on the straight road and on the turns1 for there is nothing that looks more countrified than to see riders straggling along irregularly like a party of mechanics out for a stroll on a ,sunday afternoon4 ,it is well never to canter a carriage-horse unless you know him well1 and are sure he will not thus be rendered unsteady in harness1 and in like manner you should be considerate of your escort or companions1 and not urge their horses beyond their proper gait4 ,a good way to do1 if you are much the best mounted of the party1 is now and then1 when the road is suitable1 to gallop on and return again4 ,it looks well to see a lady cantering beside a gentleman who is trotting2 but the reverse never seems quite good form1 and especially when it is evident that the gentleman's horse is galloping because he has been pushed off his legs4 ,a borrowed horse is an article which is looked upon with very different eyes by the elderly people who generally are the lenders1 and the youthful riders that are usually the borrowers1 and many a man1 and perhaps many a woman too1 remembers with shame and regret how little were appreciated or deserved the favors of this sort received in youthful days4 ,a borrowed horse should be scrupulously ridden exactly as the owner wishes1 and moreover the owner's desires ought to be respectfully ascertained in advance4 ,for cross-country riding the stirrups should be taken up at least one hole1 and the same is advisable in mounting a strange horse4 ,another safe precaution1 in the latter case1 is a running martingale1 which will prevent him from throwing up his head1 as some horses have the habit of doing1 to the great annoyance of the rider4 ,there are two or three more practical suggestions which may not be out of place here4 ,the first and most important is that it is exceedingly dangerous to let a horse stand in a draught of air1 or in a cool place1 or eat or drink1 when heated4 ,in ten minutes he may be so crippled that he will never take a free step again4 ,ferry-boats are notoriously bad places1 and a horse should never be taken on to them till quite cool4 ,it is not well to let your horse crop the leaves or grass1 as kind-hearted riders permit him to do sometimes1 for it soils his lips and bits1 giving him a slovenly air1 and you run the risk besides of his wiping them on your habit before you part from him4 ,avoid letting your horse drink unless he really would be better for the refreshment1 as he can hardly do so without wetting the curb-reins1 making them stiff and dirty-looking4 ,,the ,,groom4 ,the costume of the groom is too well known to require remark further than that it should be scrupulously neat4 ,in the country1 top-boots1 etc41 are by no means de rigueur1 and under many circumstances would savor more of pretence than of real gentility4 ,the groom ought to be mounted on a strong and able horse1 which1 if unused to the saddle1 he should train at least so far that he can with one hand1 by the aid of his legs1 force it to take and keep any position4 ,when accompanying inexperienced riders his horse should be able to overtake theirs easily4 ,the distance at which he should ride behind his mistress varies with circumstances--in a crowded street his place being close behind her1 while in the ,park or in the country he naturally falls farther back1 though never beyond easy call4 ,if he is mounted on a good saddle-horse1 he should keep in his place1 that is1 always at the same distance1 galloping if necessary2 but if riding a carriage-horse1 as is often convenient1 he should not1 unless absolutely necessary1 force the animal beyond the fastest trot at which it looks well in harness4 ,he should never canter any horse unless instructed expressly to do so1 but should trot in a business-like way1 rising in his stirrups1 or1 if necessary1 should gallop1 sitting straight1 with hands low and feet thrust home in the stirrups4 ,in all cases he should look straight forward1 without appearing to notice what goes on around him4 ,nothing looks in worse form than a groom sitting lazily back on a cantering horse1 and casting glances at the admiring nursery-maids along the way4 ,when summoned to his mistress1 he should touch his hat to acknowledge receipt of the command1 and should ride quickly up on the off side1 where he should listen in a respectful attitude with eyes cast down1 then1 touching his hat again1 depart to carry out her orders4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,leaping4 ,one pleasant winter afternoon a fashionably dressed young man1 crop in hand1 spur on heel1 and mounted on a tall horse1 was seen to emerge briskly from a little grove in a gentleman's place1 and come to a sudden halt in the level field across which he had intended to gallop4 ,the cause was a new ditch1 deep though narrow1 stretching across from fence to fence before him4 ,he looked at the obstacle a moment1 then up and down the field1 and remarked to a gardener1 an old ,scotchman1 who stood looking on1 spade in hand1 8,well1 ,i suppose ,i must go back40 8,i suppose so10 said the old fellow1 dryly1 looking up out of the corner of his eye with an almost imperceptible smile4 ,the young man reddened1 hesitated1 and then turned away1 saying1 as if the other's thoughts had been spoken out1 8,to tell the truth1 ,i don't know whether my horse would if he could1 nor whether he could if he would40 8,an' the same o' yourself10 muttered the old man in his grizzled beard4 ,the sarcasm was not to be wondered at1 as the speaker remembered what he had many a time seen1 and very likely himself done in his younger days in some hunting field of the old country1 for the ditch before him could have been cleared by an active boy1 on his own legs1 with a good run4 ,moreover1 it is not improbable that the reader is ready to agree with the old satirist in thinking the young man a 8muff40 ,nevertheless1 both horse and rider might easily have come to grief1 for the steep banks were crumbly1 and while the rider's seat was not of the firmest1 his mount was straight in the shoulder and a little stiff in the pastern4 ,however1 they were both as well fitted to overcome such a difficulty as nine-tenths of ,american horses and riders1 and a very little previous practice would have enabled them to spring over without bestowing a second thought upon it4 ,the total indifference on this subject of leaping among our people is really quite remarkable1 for one can hardly take a ride anywhere in the country without there arising some occasions when even a little knowledge of the art would have added to one's pleasure4 ,how often1 for instance1 an easy fence separates the dusty road1 too hard as well as too hot for fast riding1 from some cool wood with its shaded turf1 where a gallop would be delightful and would do the horse good instead of harm4 ,the reason of this indifference is not only the fear of getting shaken off1 but a doubt as to the horse's ability to leap1 and a dread of doing him some harm by such an unusual exertion4 ,all these apprehensions are very likely well-founded1 for if you have never done any leaping your first essay will1 in all probability1 give you a severe shock4 ,then if your horse is green at this sort of work1 and the fence is at all difficult1 he will not improbably refuse altogether1 or jump so unwillingly and clumsily as to risk your bones as well as his own2 and if he does not really fall1 he may cause such a strain upon unaccustomed muscles as to set up a 8splint0 or 8spavin10 producing at least temporary lameness4 ,nevertheless1 all these excellent reasons for not trying to leap can gradually1 but rapidly and with perfect safety1 be removed by practice1 and practice of a kind very pleasant and interesting1 while at the same time improving to your seat1 giving it a firmness under all circumstances which no amount of riding on the highway could ever do4 ,illustration3 ,,approaching ,a ,,fence4 ,some horses are exceedingly fond of leaping1 but the majority are indifferent1 though on the whole rather averse to it1 while a few positively will not try at all4 ,the first thing to be done is to get your horse to take low and easy leaps without repugnance4 ,for this purpose lay the bar you intend to use on the ground1 and lead him over it without looking back at him or giving him any reason to suppose that you have any particular object in so doing4 ,should he object to stepping over it1 be patient though firm1 and when he has finally done so1 pat and praise him2 but if he has been bred in this country1 and is used to bar places1 he will probably give no trouble at this stage of his education4 ,now mount him and repeat the operation2 then1 having the bar raised a few inches1 do so again1 and continue doing so1 always at a walk1 until it is so high that he can no longer step over it4 ,american horses are famous for their excellent tempers2 nevertheless1 at this point1 unless you manage with care and with a judicious reference to equine peculiarities of mind and temper1 you may meet with a refusal to proceed4 ,in this event you must not use force or severity1 or you may disgust the horse1 perhaps forever1 with the very exercise you wish him to learn to enjoy1 but must content yourself with preventing him from sheering off and keeping him facing his task till1 sooner or later1 he will go over4 ,now praise him and make much of him1 and ask no more jumping till the next lesson4 ,it is not a good plan to put the bar up in an open place1 for the horse will think it nonsense1 and unless he is unusually docile will resent what will seem to him to be an imposition in forcing him to jump over it when he could easily go around it4 ,a bar place or gate-way is much better1 as it cannot be 8flanked10 and he will not wonder at being asked to go through it1 but he should never be ridden backward and forward over the bar1 nor allowed to see it raised1 but should be brought around to it by a circuit which1 if possible1 should be large enough to make him forget the leaping1 or think of it only as an accidental episode in the ride4 ,the ground also should be no harder than good firm turf4 ,let him jump towards his stable or towards home by preference1 and it will be well to let your assistant hold some little article of food which he is especially fond of in view just beyond the bar1 so that his attention may be distracted from the effort1 while an agreeable association is given him with it1 and he is prevented from thinking that the obstacle is one of your making4 ,bear in mind that your object at present is threefold3 to induce him to take a liking for the new exercise2 to give him ease and confidence in the performance of it2 and to train and strengthen by use the muscles brought into play1 so that none of the unpleasant results mentioned above may follow4 ,therefore do not for a considerable time set the bar more than two feet high1 but practise him at it several times a day2 first1 as already said1 at a walk1 then at a slow trot1 and then at a canter1 making him lead first with one foot1 then with the other1 until he not only springs over without touching and without apparently thinking anything about it1 but shows by his lengthening or shortening his stride on approaching1 so as to 8take off0 at the right distance1 that his eye is becoming educated2 and1 finally1 until a careful daily inspection of his feet and legs has proved that no soreness or tenderness anywhere is caused by this exercise4 ,if he does not jump clean1 but knocks the bar with his feet1 it may be because he underestimates the height1 as not only horses but men too are apt to do in the case of open fences made with posts and rails2 therefore have a broad piece of board1 two feet long1 stood up against the bar like a post1 and make him leap over it4 ,if he still strikes1 it will be well to try the plan which ,m4 ,baucher so enthusiastically recommends for all horses1 and which consists in raising the bar a little just as the horse is in the act of springing4 ,illustration3 ,a ,,water ,,jump4 ,it will be interesting to hear exactly what so great an authority has to say on this subject4 ,after remarking that the bar should not be covered with anything to diminish its hardness1 he proceeds3 8,i let two men hold the bare bar at six inches above the ground4 ,the rider advances towards it at a walk1 and at the moment when the horse1 aided by the rider1 takes the leap1 the two men raise the bar six inches40 ,the horse naturally strikes his feet against it4 8,i make him begin again1 until he clears the bar without touching1 notwithstanding the repeated raising of it at each leap4 ,then ,i have the bar held at a foot above the ground1 and1 as before1 it will be raised six inches at the moment of the leap4 ,when the horse is accustomed to clear this new elevation1 ,i have the bar gradually held six inches higher1 still continuing to raise it six inches at each leap1 and ,i thus succeed1 after a few lessons given with the regular progression above described1 in making all horses jump obstacles of a height that they would otherwise never have been able to clear4 ,this simple proceeding1 well applied1 will be useful even to exceptional horses1 such as steeple-chasers1 by teaching them to come more carefully to the point of #8taking off1' and will render falls less frequent40 ,the idea of ,m4 ,baucher is to get the horse in the habit of jumping a little higher than he thinks necessary1 so as to be on the safe side1 and a very good idea it is4 ,it is a practice among experienced riders to hounds in ,england1 instead of leaping a post-and-rail fence midway between the posts1 to leap as close to a post as possible1 or directly over it when it is not much higher than the rail4 ,to return to our equine scholar1 having practised him for a month or so at an elevation of two feet1 his muscles will have adapted themselves to the new strain put upon them1 and it will be safe to begin to raise the bar higher1 and gradually to go up nearly to the limit of his ability4 ,it is well1 however1 never to ask too much1 as even a willing leaper will be sometimes so disgusted at what he thinks tyrannical exactions as to refuse obstinately ever to try again4 ,the horse should never be allowed to rush at the bar1 but should always1 if approaching at a gallop1 be collected1 as much as a hundred feet away1 so as to be under perfect control4 ,the higher the leap1 the slower the pace at which it should be taken1 for the very momentum acquired by a rush1 which would be useful in a water leap1 would carry the animal against the bar instead of over it4 ,the reins should be held in both hands1 and after the horse has been collected with the curb1 as may very likely be necessary1 the curb should be relaxed1 so that on approaching the leap he may feel only the gentle pressure of the snaffle1 which will not make him fear to thrust forward his head1 a fear which would possibly result in bringing him down on all fours at once1 or even with the hind-feet first4 ,as he rises to his leap1 keep a steady but very gentle tension on the reins1 being ready to support him firmly as his fore-feet touch the earth4 ,it is now time to experiment with low stone walls and with brooks1 being always on your guard against those concealed man-traps in the shape of loose stones1 which form one of the chief dangers of leaping in this country4 ,illustration3 ,,rising ,,to ,,the ,,leap4 ,all this while we have been assuming the rider to be an accomplished horsewoman1 and quite au fait at her fences4 ,if1 however1 the business is entirely new to her1 let her not be at all disheartened1 for her own education can be carried on simultaneously with that of the horse1 and without the least detriment to it4 ,in this case1 keep to the standing leap--that is1 the leap taken from a walk--although it is really the most difficult to sit1 until you can support the unusual motion without being in the least loosened in the saddle1 and do not try the higher ones till you are perfect in the lower4 ,the hands should be held as low as possible above the right knee1 and pretty close to the body1 so that they may have room to yield1 and that the sudden thrusting out of the horse's head may not jerk you forward in the saddle1 in which case the powerful impulsion of the hind-legs might pitch you out altogether4 ,the advice is often given in books to lean forward and then backward in the leap1 but the fact is that beginners1 if they lean forward intentionally1 seldom get back in time to avoid the shock above alluded to1 and teachers1 therefore1 as well as friendly coaches1 often call out 8lean back0 as a lady nears the bar1 which results in giving the learner an awkward though perhaps not unsafe manner4 ,the fact is that there is no necessity to try to lean forward1 as the rising of the horse will bring you involuntarily into a position perpendicular to the ground1 while the play of thigh and waist to prevent being tossed up is of the same kind as that in the gallop1 only proportionately increased1 and it will become instinctive if leaping is begun moderately and carried on progressively as already recommended4 ,in coming down you can hardly lean too far back4 ,the left foot should not be thrust forward1 but kept straight1 or drawn a very little back and held close against the horse's side2 the stirrup1 into which the foot is pushed to the instep1 being one or two holes shorter than for ordinary riding4 ,on approaching the fence1 be particular to do nothing to distract the animal's attention1 as1 for instance1 by ejaculations or nervous movements of the reins and person2 and after the leap do not fail to reward him by praises and caresses1 for it cannot be too deeply impressed on the mind that he is exceedingly sensitive to them1 and will consider them an ample reward for his exertion4 ,illustration3 ,,coming ,,down4 ,the object of these instructions being to enable a lady to master the art of leaping without a regular instructor1 it will not be amiss to sum up the advice already given at length1 in the words of two competent authorities1 8,vieille ,moustache0 and ,mr4 ,sidney4 ,the former says3 8,she should take a firm hold of the upper crutch of the saddle with the right knee1 sit well into the saddle--not back of it1 because the farther back the greater the concussion when the horse alights--put her left foot well home in the stirrup1 and press her left thigh firmly against the third crutch1 while keeping the left knee flexible2 lean slightly forward1 avoid stiffening her waist1 in order to throw the upper part of her figure backward at the right moment to preserve her balance4 ,the hands must not move except with the body1 and above all no attempt to enliven the horse by jagging his mouth as he is about to rise--a pernicious habit1 practised by riders of both sexes who ought to know better4 ,reins too short1 head too forward1 and pace too violent are the ordinary faults of beginners4 ,women have on their saddles a firmer seat for leaping than men40 ,mr4 ,sidney remarks3 8,a sheep hurdle is quite high enough and the trunk of a tree is quite wide enough for the first steps in leaping4 ,balance1 gripe of the pommels1 and support of the stirrup must be combined2 the seat as near the centre of the horse's back as the pommels will permit2 the figure erect1 not rigid1 with the shoulders back1 ready to bend gently backward as the horse rises in the air--not leaning forward1 twisted over on the near side1 like a popular spirited and absurd picture 78,first at the ,fence071 which really shows #8how not to do it2' the snaffle-reins held in both hands1 at a length that will enable the horse fully to extend himself1 and the rider to bear on his mouth as she bends back over his croup when he is landing4 ,all this time her eyes should be looking between the horse's ears1 so as to keep perfectly square in the saddle40 ,if the reader carries out the instruction already given with care1 and exercises good sense and judgment1 it is very unlikely that she will have a fall4 ,should this happen1 however1 there are two things to be remembered1 first to get instantly away from the horse by scrambling or rolling1 and secondly to keep hold of the reins4 ,in any event1 the timid may be reassured by reflecting that a fall is usually without any serious result1 it being by no means as dangerous to come down with the horse as to be thrown from him4 ,,part ,,iv4 ,,buying ,a ,,saddle-,,horse4 ,the opening of the horse-market is not announced to ladies by cards of invitation1 though such an innovation on the old-fashioned methods might prove a great success in the hands of a skilful dealer4 ,nevertheless1 as soon as spring opens1 all over the ,united ,states1 ladies are 8shopping0 for horses1 but by no means in their usual jaunty and self-confident way1 for their eyes1 which do them such good service at the silk or lace counter1 take on a timid and hesitating expression in the presence of this unwonted problem4 ,the acquisition of a saddle-horse by a young girl is usually a long and complicated operation1 in the course of which her hopes are alternately raised and depressed day by day1 to be at last very likely disappointed altogether4 ,it often begins at breakfast-time1 somewhat in the following fashion3 8,dear papa1 don't you think ,i might have a saddle-horse this season8 ,eleanor ,b----'s uncle has given her a beauty1 and we could ride together2 and you know that is just the sort of exercise the doctor said would be good for me40 ,the father hesitates1 and few fathers there are who do not in their hearts long to grant the request2 but he is a very busy man1 and does not feel as if he could take any more cares upon his shoulders2 and very likely he knows little about horses1 and really has not the slightest idea how to set about such a purchase2 and his mind misgives him as he remembers what he has heard of the tricks of dealers4 ,so he says1 8,oh1 my dear1 ,i don't see how we can manage it4 ,we should be cheated1 to begin with1 and pay twice as much as he is worth1 and he would run away and throw you off2 and then he would be always sick1 and finally fall lame1 and would have to be given away before the season is over40 ,this is the critical point of this part of the little family transaction1 and if the daughter has nothing more convincing to offer in reply than some vague statement that she is sure she sees plenty of good horses in the street1 and that she does not see why her horse should be sick any more than any one else's1 and that there must be plenty of good men to take care of him to be had at low wages1 then probably her case is lost4 ,but suppose that she replies3 8,oh yes1 papa1 ,i know a horse that will do nicely and can't be sickly for he has worked all summer and not lost a day and he is eight years old and so has eaten all his wild oats by this time and he isn't a very pretty color but then we can buy him cheaper for that reason and ,i don't care so much for color as ,i do for shape and he is very well formed indeed his legs and feet are excellent and he has a broad shoulder and a pretty neck and head and we gave him a long drive the other day and he never missed a step and he isn't afraid of anything and ,i drove him fast up a steep hill and jumped out at the top to give him a bunch of clover and took the opportunity to listen to his breathing and to feel his pulse and there is nothing the matter with his heart or wind ,i assure you and ,i will promise to go to the stable once a day to see him40 ,then the chances are that1 after laughing at the long sentence without a stop1 and telling her she is a runaway filly herself1 papa will say1 8,well1 suppose we take a look at this wonderful animal2 we are not obliged to buy him1 you know1 unless we please1 and ,i don't say what ,i may decide finally10 and her case is won4 ,to be able1 however1 to make the reply above supposed1 simple as it sounds1 indicates a very unusual amount of observation for a young girl4 ,there are many ladies who can at a glance tell real point lace from artificial1 be the imitation never so good2 but there are comparatively few who know the points of a horse1 or can detect any but the most glaring defects or blemishes4 ,the reason is simply want of practice1 for the difference between the well-made and the ill-made horse1 or between the sound animal and the spavined or foundered one1 is far greater than that between the two pieces of lace above mentioned1 which to most masculine eyes would appear exactly alike4 ,with her superior delicacy of observation and quickness of perception1 a woman ought to be1 other things supposed equal1 a better judge of horses than a man1 and there must surely be a great many who1 if they really believed this1 would think it worth their while to master the small vocabulary of technical terms in which the information they require is always couched1 and such would speedily find their reward in the opening of a new and interesting field of research4 ,to begin with1 how few ladies so much as know the names of the different parts of the animal6 ,head1 legs1 and body1 eyes1 ears1 and tail1 are about all the words in the feminine dictionary of horse lore1 and whether the pasterns are not a disease of colts1 the coronet a part of a bridle1 and the frog a swelling in the throat1 my lady knoweth not4 ,a half-hour1 however1 given to the illustration on the following page1 will remove once for all this preliminary difficulty1 and will open the way to a consideration of the proper form and motion of the parts of which the names are here given3 ,,parts ,,and 8,,points0 ,,of ,,the ,,horse1 ,,alphabetically ,,arranged4 ,arm1 or ,true ,arm 7#h1 #h74--;,extends from the point of the shoulder 7#bi7 to the elbow 7#aj74 ,it should be long4 ,back4--,this is one of the four parts which1 according to ,arab saying1 should be short4 ,back ,sinew4--,the powerful muscle back of the cannon-bone4 ,it should be free from contact with the bone4 ,barrel1 or ,chest4--,should be roomy1 as not only the lungs1 but all the organs of digestion1 are contained in it4 ,belly4--,this is one of the four parts which the ,arab proverb says must be long4 ,breast1 or ,bosom4--,should be deep1 but not too broad1 or speed will be diminished4 ,cannon-bone 7#aa74--,the strong oval bone stretching between the knee and fetlock-joint in the fore-leg1 and between the hock and fetlock-joint in the hind-leg4 ,chin ,groove4--,the place just above the swell of the lower lip1 in which the curb-chain should lie4 ,coronet 7#ad74--;,a cartilaginous band encircling the top of the hoof4 ,crest4--,the upper part of the back of the neck4 ,croup 7#ah74--,strictly speaking1 the upper part of hind-quarters between hip and tail1 but in a general way taken for that part of the body back of the saddle4 ,curb-place 7#bi74--;,a part of the hind-leg1 six or eight inches below the point of the hock1 where 8curbs10 or enlargement of the back sinew resulting from strain1 are to be looked for4 ,ear4--,neither too long nor very short4 ,elbow 7#aj74--,should not be nearly under the point of the shoulder1 but considerably back of it1 and should neither be turned out nor pressed against the ribs4 ,eye4--,should be clear and full1 and of a gentle expression4 ,fetlock4--,the tuft of hair at the back of the pastern-joint4 ,when thick and coarse it indicates common blood4 ,fetlock-joint 7#ab74--;,is between the shank and the pastern1 and is the same as pastern-joint4 ,flank 7#bb74 ,forearm 7#i74--,should be long and muscular4 ,forehead4--,the broader1 the more sense and courage4 ,the average of six thorough-bred ,english horses was nine and a half inches4 ,frog4--,the triangular piece in centre of bottom of hoof4 ,gaskin1 or ,lower ,thigh 7#bc74--,should be strong and long1 reaching well down4 ,measured from the stifle-joint to the point of hock should be twenty-eight inches in a well-bred horse of fifteen hands and three-quarters4 ,girth 7#cj1 #cj74--;,gives approximately the capacity of the lungs4 ,heel4--,should not to be too high or contracted1 that is1 drawn together4 ,hip4--,should be broad1 with powerful muscles4 ,hip-joint 7#bj74--;,is not always easily discovered by an amateur4 ,hock 7#be74--,one of the most important of the points of the horse2 should be large1 clean--that is1 without any rough protuberances on the bone--flat1 and 8with a good clean point standing clear of the rest of the joint40 ,hoof4--,deep1 like a cup2 not flat1 like a saucer4 ,jaw4--,should be wide up toward the socket1 to give room for windpipe1 and permit of a graceful carriage of head4 ,knee4--,can hardly be too large4 ,looked at from in front1 should appear much wider than the leg1 and should stretch out backward into a sharp edge1 called the pisiform-bone4 ,loins 7#ag74--;,broad1 muscular1 and arched slightly upward4 ,lower ,thigh4--,see 8,gaskin0 7#bc74 ,mane4--,when thick and coarse1 indicates inferior blood4 ,muzzle 7#d74--,should be small1 but with large nostril4 ,a coarse muzzle indicates low breeding4 ,nostril4--,open and prominent4 ,pastern 7#ac74--,the short oblique bone between the fetlock and hoof4 ,should not be straighter than sixty1 nor lower than forty-five degrees to the ground4 ,pastern-joint 7#ab74--,same as fetlock-joint4 ,pisiform-bone 7#af74--;,at the back of the knee4 ,point of the ,hock 7#bf74 ,point of the ,shoulder 7#bi74--,the lower end of the shoulder-blade1 to which is jointed the true arm4 ,poll4--,the top of the head4 ,quarters 7#ba74--,should be muscular4 ,ribs4--,should be well arched1 and come up close to the hip4 ,shoulder 7#g1 #g74--,should be long and oblique4 ,spavin ,place 7#bg74--,should be free from bony enlargement4 ,stifle-joint 7#bd74--;,corresponds to the human knee4 ,tail4--,not set on too high1 but yet carried gracefully4 ,thigh1 or ,true ,thigh4--,reaches from hip-joint to stifle4 ,should be long to give speed4 ,thrapple1 or ,throttle 7#e74--,upper part of throat4 ,true ,arm 7#h1 #h74--,see 8,arm40 ,to a careless observer it appears to form part of the shoulder4 ,withers 7#f74--;,it is the height of the withers which gives the height of the horse4 ,illustration3 ,,parts ,,and 8,,points40 ,to be a 8good judge of a horse0 is indeed an accomplishment as rare as it is desirable2 but while it cannot be taught by word of mouth or pen1 yet a few principles may be acquired which will be of great assistance in cultivating the eye4 ,even if the judgment be never so thoroughly formed as to be a safe guide unaided in purchasing1 yet a great deal of pleasure may be derived from noting the comparative excellences of the really fine horses constantly to be seen in this country2 and there is no reason in the world why a lady's opinion on this subject should continue to weigh as little as it has generally done hitherto4 ,a graceful neck and an air of spirit usually win the feminine suffrages1 yet often co-exist with a long back1 spindle-shanks1 and a chest both shallow and narrow4 ,nevertheless1 a good neck is an excellent thing1 and so is a small head1 especially if it have a wide forehead2 but next look to see if there is also 7to use a horsey expression71 8a short back and a long belly10 a deep chest1 a sloping shoulder1 and legs broad and long above the knee and hock1 but broad and short below4 ,the ,arabs have a proverb that 8there should be four points of a horse long1 four short1 and four broad40 ,the long are the neck1 the forearm1 the thigh1 and the belly2 the short are the back1 the pastern1 the tail1 and the ear2 the broad are the forehead1 the chest1 the croup1 and the limbs4 ,the head should be small and bony2 that of an ,english thorough-bred of fifteen and three-quarter hands will measure twenty-two to twenty-four inches in length1 with the forehead eight to ten inches broad1 the face dishing below the eyes4 ,the withers should be high1 the shoulder as broad as possible--not fleshy1 but bony--and lying at an angle of about forty-five degrees4 ,the chest should be broad and deep1 to give room for lungs and heart4 ,the knees should be broad1 the hoofs large1 and not flat1 but deep4 ,the reasons for some of the above recommendations may be made clearer by a rough comparison between the frame of the horse and that of man4 ,for instance1 the shoulder of the former1 from the withers to its forward point at the joint1 is equivalent to the shoulder-blade and collar-bone of the latter1 and a broad shoulder is as sure an indication of strength in the one as in the other4 ,if the horse is 8short above and long below10 it gives him a carriage similar to that of a man with a full1 broad chest1 who holds his head high and his shoulders back4 ,the knee of the horse corresponds to the human wrist1 and his hock1 or 8back knee10 as the children call it1 to our heel4 ,the shank of the fore-leg1 then1 or the part between the knee and fetlock1 corresponds to the hand1 and the hoof and pastern to the fingers2 while the shank of the hind-leg1 or the part between hock and fetlock1 corresponds to our foot1 the hoof and pastern being the toes4 ,the horse may thus be said to walk upon the tips of his fingers and toes1 and it will readily be seen why the leg weakens in proportion as the pastern and shank lengthen4 ,the arm proper of the horse is very short and almost concealed from view1 reaching from the forward point of the shoulder to the elbow1 which is close against the side4 ,the more oblique the shoulder1 the greater the power of this arm to throw the forearm forward1 so as to support the body in the gallop1 and in coming down from a leap4 ,a straight shoulder is adapted for pulling loads1 but is not fit for the saddle1 except upon level roads1 becoming positively dangerous in broken ground4 ,the two upper members of the hind-leg1 reaching from the hip to the hock1 are together commonly called the thigh1 as the thigh proper1 which stretches from the hip to the stifle-joint1 is very short and almost concealed from observation4 ,the stifle-joint1 which corresponds to our knee1 lies close against the flank4 ,read the description1 to some extent traditional1 of the wonderful mare ,swallow1 in ,kingsley's 8,hereward the ,wake40 ,she was evidently not from ,arab stock1 with her big ugly head2 but horses--like men and women--of extraordinary strength1 and beauty too1 are sometimes happened upon in the most unlikely places4 ,indeed1 in many an ungraceful form there is stored up an amount of vital energy which explains the saying that one can find 8good horses of all shapes40 ,nevertheless1 the presumption is always in favor of the well-shaped animal1 and the acknowledged type of equine beauty is the ,english thorough-bred4 ,this is of pure ,arab blood1 but so improved by many generations of careful breeding and training that it now excels not only all other ,european and ,oriental races but the modern ,arab himself1 that is considered to be1 weight for weight1 twenty-five per cent4 stronger than other breeds4 ,one invariable mark of ,arab blood1 by-the-bye1 is a high and graceful carriage of the tail4 ,the eye should be kind and quiet1 that of an ,arab very gentle1 even sleepy1 when at rest1 but full of fire and animation when in motion4 8,the relative proportions of and exact shape desirable in each of the points described varies considerably in the several breeds4 ,thus1 when speed and activity are essential1 an oblique shoulder-blade is a sine qu non1 while for heavy harness it can hardly be too upright4 ,there are some elements1 however1 which are wanted in any horse1 such as big hocks and knees1 flat legs with large sinews1 open jaws 7that is1 with the lower jaw-bones wide apart71 and full nostrils40 ,it is well1 after taking a general look at a horse and getting an impression of him as a whole1 to divide him up mentally into sections1 and examine these in detail one after the other4 ,taking first the head1 which should be bony1 not fleshy1 remember that the more brain the more 8horse sense40 ,next look at the neck1 which should be neither too thick nor too long1 but connecting head and shoulders by a graceful sweep4 ,then the forequarters1 observing that the shoulder-blade and true arm are both long1 well supplied though not loaded with muscle1 and join each other at the point of the shoulder at a rather sharp angle4 ,then the 8middle-piece10 which should be rounded in the barrel1 arched slightly in the loin1 8short above and long below10 and well ribbed up towards the hip4 ,next the hind-quarters1 then the legs1 knees1 hocks1 and feet1 observing that the knees are firm1 the cannon-bones and pastern are flat and strong1 and that the back sinew is strong and stands free from the bone4 ,now have the horse set in motion1 and observe him first from one side1 then from the other1 and then from behind1 noting the carriage and movements of the different parts in the order above given4 ,this examination is practically the more important of the two4 ,let no one suppose that mere verbal instruction1 however judicious and elaborate1 will1 without practice1 make a good judge of horse-flesh any more than it will of ,brussels point-lace4 ,all it is here intended to do is to aid in training the eye1 which must be constantly exercised upon whatever specimens may come before it1 comparing them mentally with one another1 and noting their defects and qualities whether of form or of motion4 ,it will soon be found that such observations1 particularly when relating to the motions of the horse1 have a fascination peculiarly their own1 and open a new and wide field of amusement4 ,in examining a horse a lady cannot of course usually make the thorough inspection personally which would be necessary to warrant his limbs and wind perfectly sound1 but she can1 by taking a little time to it1 form an opinion which will be very nearly correct4 ,she should first master the vocabulary at the end of this chapter1 which will give her an idea what defects to be on the lookout for1 and just where to seek for them2 and she should cultivate her eye at every opportunity by scanning critically every horse she sees--or1 to be more moderate1 say one or two a day--endeavoring to detect a 8spavin0 or 8curb10 or what not1 which the owner does not suspect or perhaps shuts his eyes to4 ,then1 when a horse is brought up for her approval1 let her take her own time1 refuse to be hurried or humbugged1 but1 as already suggested1 look him over from all sides1 at rest and in motion1 and finally get him on trial for a week4 ,this last precaution is the most valuable of all1 and worth1 as 8,stonehenge0 says1 ten per cent4 on the price of the animal1 and it can very often be obtained by the simple offer of paying for his services in case he is not purchased2 indeed1 some of the most successful ,new ,york ,city dealers grant this privilege to any responsible customer as a matter of course4 ,to return to our inspection3 ,first take a side view from a little distance1 observing that he stands perpendicularly on all four legs1 bearing equal weight on each2 any 8pointing10 or putting forward of a fore-foot to relieve it of its share of weight1 being indicative of tenderness if not lameness4 ,notice the size1 shape1 and relative proportion of the different parts1 and scrutinize them carefully for swellings1 or for weakened or deformed joints4 ,then do the same from before1 then from behind4 ,now have him led past you1 first at a walk1 then at a slow trot1 insisting that the groom shall not take him by the headstall1 but by the end of the halter1 so as to leave him free to nod his head if he pleases4 ,now have him saddled and bridled1 and all his paces shown1 finishing with a smart gallop long enough to sweat him well1 after which listen carefully to his breathing1 which should be noiseless2 observe that the heaving of the flanks is regular and not spasmodic1 and that the beating of the heart is not violent or irregular4 ,during your week of trial take some disinterested person with you to serve as witness in case of accident or misconduct1 and work the horse hard every day1 so as to be sure that he does not lose his appetite when fatigued1 but being careful not to injure his feet by galloping on hard roads1 or to let him slip or strain himself in any way4 ,remember the oft-quoted words of the ,english stable-man3 8,it ain't the speed that 'urts the 'orse2 it's the 'ammer1 'ammer1 'ammer on the 'ard 'igh-road40 ,after your first ride1 leave the saddle on for twenty minutes with the girths slackened1 and next morning1 before putting it on again1 examine the back carefully for any soreness or puffy spot1 and if such exist1 abstain from riding until it has quite disappeared1 for a day of patience now is better than a week after a saddle-gall has become fairly established4 ,the saddle1 of course1 should fit the horse well1 and there should always be a free space along above the backbone and withers4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,sort ,,of ,,horse ,,to ,,buy4 ,the cut on the preceding page shows a saddle-horse of the very best form for a lady's use4 ,the color of a horse is an important factor in the price1 except in the case of animals of extraordinary qualities2 and although different persons have their special preferences1 yet probably the order of the following list will give the average taste of the horse-buying public3 #a4 ,blood bay with black points2 that is1 with mane1 tail1 and legs from the knee downward black4 #b4 ,rich chestnut4 #c4 ,rich brown4 #d4 ,common bay with black points4 #e4 ,common chestnut4 #f4 ,dark dapple gray4 #g4 ,full black4 #h4 ,light bay with brown legs4 #i4 ,white4 #aj4 ,common gray4 #aa4 ,brownish-black4 #ab4 ,sorrel4 ,when your decision is finally made1 obtain 7from the person selling7 a warranty1 which had better be written upon the bill itself1 giving the height1 age1 and color of the horse1 and stating that he is sound1 kind1 goes well under the saddle and in single or double harness1 and is afraid of nothing4 ,the vices which in the eye of the law make a horse returnable are ,biting1 ,cribbing1 ,kicking1 ,rearing when dangerous1 and ,shying when dangerous4 ,in estimating the height of a horse it is convenient to remember that fifteen hands make exactly five feet--a 8hand0 being four inches1 or a third of a foot4 ,to aid the inexperienced we give a cut showing a horse1 originally of high spirit but faulty organization1 broken down by ill usage1 and also append a list of the various defects and ailments which every horse-owner ought to know something about4 ,,list ,,of ,,diseases ,,and ,,defects4 ,those printed in small capitals constitute ,,unsoundness in the eye of the law4 ,acclimation4--,horses removed from one part of the country to another have usually a period of indisposition1 often of severe illness1 and always for some time require more than ordinary care4 ,it is well1 therefore1 not to buy a ,western horse in the ,atlantic ,states until he has been at least a month in his new surroundings4 ,apoplexy4--,sometimes called 8sleepy staggers40 ,begins with drowsiness1 passing into insensibility1 with snoring respiration1 and ending in death4 ,,blindness4--,often comes on gradually4 ,eyes of a bluish-black are thought suspicious1 as is inflammation of ball or lid1 or cloudiness of pupil4 ,,blind ,,staggers4--,see 8,megrims0 and 8,staggers40 ,,bog-,,spavin4--,a soft swelling on the inner side of the hock-joint towards the front4 ,it is caused by the formation of a sac containing synovial fluid which has oozed out of the joint4 ,the result usually of brutality4 ,incurable4 ,,blood-,,spavin4--,a swelling in nearly the same place caused by an aneurism or sac of arterial blood4 ,incurable4 ,very rare4 ,,bone-,,spavin4--,a swelling caused by a bony growth on the inside of the hock-joint towards the front4 ,it produces lameness1 which sometimes passes off temporarily after a few minutes' work4 ,sometimes curable4 ,this is what is usually meant by spavin4 ,bots4--,caused by the larv of the bot-fly1 which cling to the lining of the stomach by their two hooks till after several months they reach maturity and pass out with the droppings4 ,they seem to do little harm1 and should be left alone1 as they cannot be destroyed by any medicine safe for a horse to take4 ,,breaking ,,down4--,a rupture of the tendons of the leg causing the fetlock-joint to give way downward4 ,incurable4 ,broken ,knee4--,indicated by white or bare spots1 showing that the horse has been down1 and is presumably a stumbler4 ,,broken ,,wind4--,accompanied by a husky cough1 and indicated by heaving flanks and forcible double respiration after exercise4 ,incurable4 ,capped ,hock4--,a soft movable swelling on point of hock1 caused by a bruise1 usually got in kicking4 ,,cataract4--,opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye4 ,chapped ,heels4--,always the result of neglect4 ,often accompanied by fever and constitutional disturbance4 ,cold4--,shown by dulness1 rough coat1 loss of appetite1 tears and running at the nose4 ,give soft food and nurse well without exercise4 ,colic4--,distinguished from inflammation of the bowels by intervals of quiet between the spasms1 and by the fact that the horse will strike his belly violently in the hope of relief4 ,give first a warm injection1 to remove any obstruction in lower bowel1 and then administer stimulants4 ,contracted ,heels4--,often caused by improper shoeing1 but often natural1 and in this case producing no ill result4 ,,corns4--,do not at all resemble human corns4 ,a corn is a reddish and very sensitive spot in the sole of the foot under the shoe1 caused by a rupture of the delicate blood-vessels1 resulting in an abnormal fungoid growth4 ,costiveness4--,may bring on 8blind staggers0 in a horse inclined to this disease4 ,no horse should be hurried when first taken out till his bowels have been moved4 ,,cough4--,constitutes unsoundness while it lasts4 ,caused by foul air1 dusty food1 irregular work4 ,crush the oats1 damp the hay1 and give linseed tea for drink4 ,,cribbing1 or ,,crib-,,biting4--,is sometimes considered a vice1 but is doubtless a result of indigestion4 ,the horse lays hold of the manger with his teeth1 straightens his neck1 sucks wind into his stomach1 and ejects gas4 ,probably some alkali1 say lime-water or baking soda1 would be beneficial4 ,,curb4--,a soft1 painful swelling on the back of the hind-leg six or eight inches below the hock4 ,see illustration4 ,cutting4--,see 8,interfering0 and 8,speedy ,cut40 ,discharge from ,nostril4--,is usually caused by a simple cold1 but may be a symptom of the contagious and incurable disease ,,glanders1 and proximity to it should therefore be carefully avoided4 ,distemper4--,a disease of young horses1 occurring once only4 ,see 8,strangles40 ,ewe ,neck4--,carries the head high and nearly in a horizontal position1 so that the bit has not a proper bearing on the 8bars10 but is inclined to slip back towards the grinders4 ,,farcy4--,an incurable and contagious disease1 caused by blood-poisoning1 and indicated by sores usually on inside of thigh1 or on neck and hips4 ,as it is communicable to human beings1 every farcied horse should be immediately killed4 ,it is well to avoid all approach to horses having sores of any kind4 ,see 8,glanders40 ,filled ,legs4--,a swelled condition of the lower parts1 usually caused by want of exercise1 and relieved by bandaging and rubbing4 ,fistula of the ,withers4--,an abscess among the muscles over the shoulder-blades1 usually caused by pressure of saddle upon the bony ridge of back4 ,requires surgical operation4 ,forging4--,see 8,overreaching40 ,,founder1 ,,or ,,fever ,,in ,,the ,,feet4--,an inflammation of the parts between the crust of the foot and the pedal-bone1 including the lamin1 which cease to secrete horn4 ,it is caused sometimes by hard roads1 and sometimes by eating or drinking or standing in a draught of air when heated4 ,this name is commonly applied to any rheumatic lameness of the fore-feet or legs brought on as above1 whether its seat be the feet1 the tendons of the legs1 or the muscles of the breast1 in which last case it is called 8chest-founder40 ,the treatment1 which is only palliative1 is hot bathing and friction with liniments4 ,gadfly ,bites4--,often very annoying4 ,may be prevented by washing legs and flanks with a strong tea of green elder bark4 ,galls--from saddle4--,best prevented by leaving the saddle in place for twenty minutes after loosening the girths4 ,when occurring1 however1 should receive prompt attention1 as they are very tedious if neglected4 ,examine the back carefully after the first ride on a new horse1 and also before putting on the saddle the next day4 ,,glanders4--,a disgusting1 contagious1 and incurable disease1 the chief symptom of which is a discharge from one nostril1 at first transparent1 then slightly sticky1 then thick and yellow4 ,as it is highly contagious to human beings1 in whom it is equally dreadful and always fatal1 a glandered horse should be instantly killed1 as the law requires4 ,it is well to avoid all horses having any discharge1 however slight1 from the nose4 ,glanders may be caught from 8farcy10 and vice versa4 ,,grapes4--,a filthy and incurable disease of heels and pastern1 caused by gross neglect4 ,it is the last stage of 8grease40 ,,grease4--,an aggravated form of 8chapped heels10 accompanied by swelling1 fever and a serous discharge4 ,wash clean frequently1 and anoint with ,dalley's salve4 ,gripes4--,see 8,colic40 ,,heart ,,disease4--,may be detected by auscultation4 ,incurable4 ,ends in sudden death4 ,,heaves4--,see 8,broken ,wind40 ,hide-bound4--,the skin appears too tight1 and as if fast to the ribs4 ,it is caused by a disordered stomach1 and requires nourishing food4 ,inflammation of ,bowels4--,the pain is continuous1 and the horse is careful not actually to strike his belly with his feet4 ,requires1 of course1 very different treatment from colic1 but an injection should be the first thing done4 ,interfering4--,striking the fetlock-joint with the foot4 ,caused sometimes by weakness and fatigue1 but usually by bad shoeing1 and a good blacksmith is the best adviser4 ,lampas4--,a swelling of the gums1 relieved by lancing4 ,,knee-,,sprung4--,incurable4 ,result of overwork4 ,,knuckled4--,same as 8set over40 ,a condition of the fetlock-joint corresponding to that of the 8sprung0 knee4 ,,laminitis4--,the scientific name of 8founder40 ,,mad ,,staggers4--,violent insanity1 caused by inflammation of the brain4 ,the last stage sometimes of sleepy staggers4 ,incurable4 ,mallenders4--,a scurvy patch at the back of the knee1 caused by neglect1 and not obstinate4 ,mange4--,an itch produced by a parasitic insect4 ,,megrims4--,a falling-sickness like epilepsy4 ,it begins with a laying back of the ears and shaking of the head2 is accompanied by convulsions2 and passes off of itself in two or three minutes1 the horse appearing to be none the worse4 ,often called 8,blind ,staggers40 ,,navicular ,,disease4--,an ulceration of the navicular-joint in the foot1 causing lameness2 incurable1 except by extirpation of the nerve4 ,,nerved4--,a nerved horse has had one of the nerves of the foot cut to remove the pain and lameness caused by the 8navicular disease40 ,,ophthalmia4--,a purulent inflammation of the eye4 ,epidemic4 ,,organic ,,disease of the bony system anywhere constitutes unsoundness4 ,overreaching4--,striking the toe of the front-foot with the toe of the hind-foot2 sometimes called 8clicking40 ,often remedied by shoeing4 ,poll-evil4--,an abscess in the top of the neck1 near the head1 caused by a blow4 ,,pumice ,,foot4--,bulging sole1 weak crust1 the result of 8laminitis40 ,incurable4 ,quarter ,crack4--,occurs usually on the inside of fore-foot4 ,a bad sign1 as well as very slow and troublesome to cure4 ,,quidding4--,dropping the food half chewed from the mouth4 ,indicative of sore throat4 ,,quittor4--,burrowing abscess in the foot4 ,rheumatism4--,cause1 effect1 and treatment the same as for human beings4 ,,ring-,,bone4--,an enlargement of the bone by growth1 a little above the coronet4 ,,roaring4--,caused by a contraction of windpipe4 ,incurable4 ,,ruptures of all kinds constitute unsoundness4 ,saddle-gall4--,swelling caused by chafing of saddle4 ,if the skin is broken it is called a 8sitfast20 if not1 a 8warble40 ,sallenders4--,scurvy patch in front of hock-joint4 ,sand ,crack4--,occurs on the inside of fore-foot and on the toe of the hind-foot4 ,scratches4--,see 8,chapped ,heels40 ,scouring4--,looseness of the bowels4 ,,seedy ,,toe4--,a separation of the crust of the hoof from the lamin1 the result of laminitis4 ,scarcely curable4 ,,side-,,bone4--,a bony growth just above the coronet1 causing lameness4 ,incurable4 ,,spavin4--,see 8,bone1 ,blood1 and ,bog ,spavin40 ,speedy ,cut4--,a cut of the knee from the foot of opposite leg4 ,dangerous1 because the pain often causes the horse to fall4 ,,staggers4--,see 8,apoplexy40 8,sleepy10 8,trotting10 and 8,mad0 ,staggers are different forms and stages of the same disease1 caused usually by overfeeding4 ,strangles1 or ,colt ,distemper4--,a severe swelling of the glands of the throat1 which gathers and breaks4 ,,string-,,halt or ,,spring-,,halt4--,a peculiar snatching up of the hind-leg1 caused by some nervous disorder4 ,incurable4 ,surfeit4--,an eruption of round1 blunt spots1 caused by heating food4 ,,thick ,,wind4--,defective respiration without noise4 ,incurable4 ,,thickening ,,of ,,back ,,sinews4--,result of strain4 ,,thrush4--,an offensive discharge from the frog1 the result of inflammation1 caused by want of cleanliness or overwork1 etc4 ,,thorough-,,pin4--,a sac of synovial fluid formed between the bones of the hock from side to side4 ,warble4--,a saddle-gall when simply swollen but not broken4 ,warts4--,should be removed1 as they tend to spread4 ,,whirlbone ,,lameness4--,lameness of hip-joint4 ,windgalls1 or ,puffs4--,little oval swellings just above the fetlock-joint between the back sinew and the bone4 ,worms4--,sometimes troublesome1 but less so than often supposed4 ,,whistling4--,caused by a contraction of windpipe4 ,incurable4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,sort ,,of ,,horse ,,not ,,to ,,buy4 ,,index4 ,acclimation1 #adh4 ,advancing at ,touch of ,heel1 #da1 #dd4 ,amateur ,horse-training1 #a4 ,amble1 #bh4 ,apoplexy1 #adh4 ,appel1 #bh4 ,approaching a ,fence1 #aai4 ,arm1 #ace4 ,arrire-main1 #bh4 ,avant-main1 #bh4 ,back1 #ace4 ,back ,sinew1 #ace4 ,backing1 #ge1 #gf4 ,barrel1 or ,chest1 #ace4 ,bars1 #ae4 ,belly1 #acg4 ,bending the ,neck to ,right and ,left1 #cb1 #ce1 #dh1 #di4 ,biting1 #adh4 ,blind ,staggers1 #adh4 ,blindness1 #adh4 ,blood-spavin1 #aej4 ,bone-spavin1 #aej4 ,boring1 #aej4 ,bots1 #aej4 ,breaking ,down1 #aej4 ,breast1 or ,bosom1 #acg4 ,bridles1 #ab4 ,bridle-tooth1 #ae1 #ah4 ,broken ,knee1 #aej4 ,buying a ,saddle-horse1 #acb4 ,cannon-bone1 #acg4 ,cantering1 #fd4 ,capped ,hock1 #aej4 ,cataract1 #aej4 ,cavesson1 #df4 ,changing the ,leading ,foot1 #ff1 #gi4 ,chapped ,heels1 #aej4 ,chin ,groove1 #ae1 #bi1 #acg4 ,cold1 #aej4 ,colic1 #aej4 ,color1 #adg4 ,contracted ,heels1 #aej4 ,corns1 #aej4 ,coronet1 #acg4 ,costiveness1 #aea4 ,cough1 #aea4 ,crest1 #acg4 ,cribbing1 #adh1 #aea4 ,croup1 #ch1 #acg4 ,curb-place1 #acg4 ,curbs1 #aea4 ,cutting1 #aea4 ,deux ,pistes1 #bi1 #ga4 ,discharge from ,nostrils1 #ab1 #ae4 ,diseases and ,defects1 #adh4 ,distemper1 #aea4 ,dress1 #hh4 ,duke of ,wellington1 #aaj4 ,dumb-jockey1 #df4 ,ear1 #acg4 ,elbow1 #bi1 #acg4 ,etiquette in the ,saddle1 #hg4 ,ewe ,neck1 #aea4 ,eye1 #acg4 8,falling ,through10 #af4 ,farcy1 #aea4 ,fetlock1 #bi1 #acg4 ,filled ,legs1 #aea4 ,fistula of the ,withers1 #aea4 ,flank1 #acg4 ,flexion of the ,jaw1 #cb4 ,flexions de la ,mchoire1 #ba4 ,flexions de l',encolure1 #cb4 ,flying ,trot1 #eh4 ,forearm1 #bi1 #acg4 ,forehand1 #ch4 ,forehead1 #acg4 ,forge1 #bi4 ,forging1 #aeb4 ,founder1 or ,fever in the ,feet1 #aeb4 ,frog1 #bi1 #acg4 ,gadfly ,bites1 #aeb4 ,galloping1 #fd4 ,galls1 #aeb4 ,gaskin1 or ,lower ,thigh1 #acg4 8,getting a ,horse accustomed to ,skirts10 #db4 ,girths1 #ach4 ,glanders1 #aeb4 ,going on ,deux ,pistes1 #gb4 ,grapes1 #aeb4 ,grease1 #aeb4 ,grinders1 #bi4 ,gripes1 #aeb4 ,groom1 #aaf4 ,guiding ,bridlewise1 #ee4 ,hand1 #bi1 #ajd4 ,hand-gallop1 #bi1 #fd4 ,heart ,disease1 #aeb4 ,heaves1 #aec4 ,heel1 #ach4 ,hide-bound1 #aec4 ,hip1 #ach4 ,hock1 #bi1 #ach4 ,holding the ,bit lightly1 #ba1 #bd4 ,hoof1 #ach4 ,horse-training is not ,horse-breaking1 #i4 ,interfering1 #bh1 #aec4 ,jaw1 #ach4 ,jog-trot1 #eh4 ,kicking1 #fi4 ,knee1 #ach4 ,knee-sprung1 #aec4 ,knuckled1 #aec4 ,laminitis1 #aec4 ,lampas1 #aec4 ,leading with ,left ,fore-foot1 #hh4 ,leading with ,right ,fore-foot1 #hj4 ,leaping1 #aah4 ,loins1 #ach4 ,lower ,thigh1 #ach4 ,lowering the ,head1 #be1 #bh4 ,lunging-cord1 #df4 ,mad ,staggers1 #aec4 ,mallenders1 #aec4 ,mane1 #ach4 ,mange1 #bi4 ,mange1 #aec4 ,megrims1 #aec4 ,method of holding ,reins in both ,hands1 #aaa4 ,mthode d'quitation1 ,baucher1 #d4 ,mount1 #ia4 ,mounting1 #ib4 ,moving the ,croup to ,right and ,left1 #ch1 #eb4 ,muzzle1 #ach4 ,navicular ,disease1 #aec4 ,nerved1 #aec4 ,nippers1 #cj4 ,nostrils1 #ach4 ,on the ,road1 #ajg4 ,on which ,side to ,ride1 #ajj4 8,one1 ,two1 ,three10 #ie4 ,ophthalmia1 #aec4 ,ordinary ,pirouette1 #ga4 ,organic ,disease1 #aec4 ,overreaching1 #aec4 ,pace1 #cj4 ,pacing1 #aib4 ,parts and ,points of a ,horse1 #ach4 ,passage1 #cj1 #ga1 #gc1 #ach4 ,pastern1 #cj4 ,pastern-joint1 #ach4 ,piaffer1 #cj4 ,pirouettes1 #cj1 #ga4 ,pisiform-bone1 #ach4 ,piste1 #cj1 #gd4 ,placing the ,foot in the ,stirrup1 #if4 ,poll1 #cj1 #ach4 ,poll-evil1 #aed4 ,position in ,saddle1 #ig4 8,pulling the ,hands steadily ,apart10 #cc4 ,pulling the ,right ,rein1 #cf4 ,pumice ,foot1 #aed4 ,punishment in ,case of ,resistance1 #bg4 ,quarter ,crack1 #aed4 ,quarters1 #ach4 ,quidding1 #aed4 ,quittor1 #aed4 ,rack1 #cj4 ,ramener1 #cj4 ,rassembler1 #cj4 ,ready to ,mount1 #id4 ,rearing1 #ff1 #adh4 ,reins1 ,act of ,changing1 #gg4 ,reins in ,hand1 #dc1 #gg4 ,rheumatism1 #aed4 ,riding in ,circles1 #gi4 ,ring-bone1 #aed4 ,rising to the ,leap1 #abg4 ,roaring1 #aed4 ,running ,away1 #fi4 ,ruptures1 #aed4 ,saddle-gall1 #aed4 ,saddles1 #ab1 #ac4 ,sand ,crack1 #aed4 ,scouring1 #aed4 ,scratches1 #aed4 ,seat1 #ajb1 #ajc4 ,seedy ,toe1 #aed4 ,shank1 #cj4 ,shoulder1 #ach4 ,shying1 #fh4 ,side-bone1 #aed4 ,sidney1 ,mr41 #acj4 ,single-foot1 #cj4 ,snaffle1 #cj4 ,spavins and ,splints1 #cj1 #ach1 #aed4 ,speedy ,cut1 #aed4 ,staggers1 #aed4 ,starting1 #ii4 ,stifle-joint1 #ca1 #ach4 ,stopping at ,touch of ,whip on ,back1 #de4 ,strangles1 #aed4 ,string-halt1 #aed4 ,style1 #ej4 ,surcingle1 #ca4 ,surfeit1 #aee4 ,tail1 #acd4 ,thick ,wind1 #aee4 ,thickening of ,back ,sinews1 #aee4 ,thigh1 #ca1 #aci4 ,thorough-pin1 #aee4 ,thrapple1 or ,throttle1 #aci4 ,throat-latches1 #ae1 #ca4 ,thrush1 #aee4 ,trotting1 #eh4 ,true ,arm1 #aci4 ,turning1 #aab4 ,vices1 #adh4 8,vieille ,moustache10 #acj4 ,walking1 #df1 #ea4 ,warble1 #aee4 ,warts1 #aee4 ,water ,jump1 #aba4 ,whips1 #ac4 ,whirlbone ,lameness1 #aee4 ,whistling1 #aee4 ,windgalls1 #aee4 ,withers1 #ca1 #aci4 ,worms1 #aee4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's note3 ,every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible4 ,illustrations have been moved4