The lady should perform her first lessons with a snaffle bridle, holding
the reins in both hands, and without a stirrup. When she has acquired
some degree of practice in the balance, aids, and general government of
the horse, she may use a bridle with double reins, and hold them in the
left hand, managing them as we have directed in some of the preceding
pages.
If the lady be but in her noviciate in the art, we strongly advise her
not to place too much reliance on her own expertness, or to attempt too
much at first; but, rather, to proceed steadily, and be satisfied with a
gradual improvement; as it is utterly impossible to acquire perfection
in the nicer operations of riding, before the minor difficulties are
overcome.
The lady, in all cases, should recollect that her horse requires
occasional haltings and relaxation. The time occupied in each lesson
should be in proportion to the pace and animation in which it has been
performed. If the exercise be varied and highly animated, the horse
should rest to recruit himself at the expiration of twelve or fifteen
minutes; when refreshed, by halting, he may be made to go through
another of the same, or rather less duration, and then be put up for
the day. It would be still better to make two halts in the same space of
time;--the exercise taken in such a lesson being equal to three hours'
moderate work. When the lessons are less animated, they may be made
proportionally longer; but, it is always better, if the pupil err in
this respect, to do so on the side of brevity, than, by making her
lessons too long, to harass her horse.
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