ON THE PACES OF THE HORSE.
THE WALK.
Of all the paces, the walk is the easiest to the rider, _provided_ he
sits in the centre of his horse's back, as it consists of an alternate
depression of the fore and hind quarters.
The motion may be compared to the vibration of the beam of a pair of
scales. The walk should be light, firm, and quick; the knee must be
moderately bent, the leg should appear suspended in the air for an
instant, and the foot fall perfectly flat to the ground.
It is very difficult to confine young and mettlesome horses to a walk;
great good temper, with a firm light hand, are requisite to accomplish
this. When such horses change to a trot they should be _stopped for a
minute_ or two, and _then_ allowed to proceed again. If the animal
carries his head well, ride him with a moderately loose rein, raising
the hand when he tries to break into a trot.
THE TROT.
The trot is allowed, by professionals, to be the only just basis upon
which equestrians can ever attain a secure and graceful seat, combined
with confidence and firmness. The rider has more control over the
motions of his body in this pace than any other: in this the body is
well brought down into the saddle by its own weight, and finds its true
equilibrium. When the rider wishes to make his horse trot, let him ease
his reins and press the calves of his legs gently; when his horse is at
a trot, let him feel both his reins, raise his horse's forehand, and
keep his haunches well under him.
THE CANTER.
The rider must have a light and firm feeling of both reins to raise his
horse's forehand; at the same time, with a pressure of both calves, to
bring the animal's quarters well under him, having a double feeling of
the inward rein, and a strong pressure of the outward leg, to cause him
to strike off in unison.
At all times the horse should be taught to lead off with EITHER fore
leg; by doing so his legs will not be so much shaken, especially the off
fore leg, which is the one he most generally leads off on. This must be
the case when he is _continually throwing_ the greater part of his
weight upon the leading fore leg, as it comes to the ground, which
causes lameness of the foot, and strains the back sinews of the legs.
Being thoroughly taught to change his legs, the horse is better enabled
to perform long journeys, with facility and comfort both to himself and
his rider.
TURNING.
In the turn either to the right or left, the reins must be held quite
evenly, so that the horse may be immediately made to feel the aid of the
rider's hands; he (the rider) must then have a double feeling on the
inward rein, also retaining a steady feeling on the _outward_; the horse
being kept up to the hand by a pressure of both legs, the outward leg
being the stronger.
REINING BACK.
The rider should frequently practise reining back, which is of the
utmost service both to himself and his horse: by it, the rider's hand is
rendered firm and materially strengthened; and the pliancy of wrist so
essential to the complete management of the horse is achieved, likewise
causing the body of the rider to be well thrown back and his chest
expanded, thus forcing, and preserving, an _erect_ position in the
saddle. Also, the _carriage_ of the horse becomes greatly improved; his
head is maintained in its correct position, and he is compelled to work
correctly on his haunches.
_In_ "_reining back_," the horseman requires a light and steady feeling
of both reins, a pressure of both legs, so as to raise his horse's
forehand and keep his haunches _well under_ him, at the same time
_easing_ the reins, and _feeling them again_ after every step.
STOPPING.
None are thoroughly taught until quite AU FAIT in the stop. It is of
_far greater importance_ than may be _usually_ imagined. In the first
place, it shows the horse to be _well under_ COMMAND, especially when
the rider is able to do so _instantaneously_: it saves in the second
place, many serious and inevitable accidents from carriages, horsemen,
&c., such as crossing before suddenly pulling up, turning quickly round
a corner, or coming unawares upon the rider.
Care must be taken to make the STOP _steadily_; _not_ by a _sudden jerk_
upon the _bit_; by doing so the horse, if "tender mouthed," will be made
to rear and plunge. To make the horse stop properly, the bridle-hand
must be kept low, and the knuckles turned down. The rider's body must be
well thrown back; he must have a steady feeling of both reins, and,
_closing_ both legs for a moment, so keep his horse well up to hand. N.
B.--The rider's hands always must be eased as soon as halted.
LEAPING.
Much depends upon the manner of bringing a horse up to the leap; he
should be taken up straight and steady to it, with the reins held in
each hand--they must be kept low, with the _curb_-rein held loosely. The
rider's body should be kept erect, pliant, and easy in its movements. As
the animal is in the act of rising in his leap and coming again to the
ground, the rider's body must be well thrown back.
The sitting of a leap, _well_, is entirely dependent upon the proper
balance of the body; thereby the weight is thrown correctly into the
saddle, and thus _meets_ the horse's movements.
THE STANDING LEAP.
Let the rider take up his horse at an animated pace, halt him with a
light hand upon his haunches; when rising at the leap, the rider should
only just feel the reins, so as to prevent them becoming slack, when he
springs forward, yielding them without reserve; as, at the time, the
horse must be left quite at liberty. As the horse's hind feet come to
the ground, the rider must again collect him, resume his usual position,
and move on at the same pace. His body must be inclined forward as the
horse rises, and backwards as he alights.
FLYING LEAP.
The horse must not be hurried, but taken up at a brisk pace, with a
light and steady hand, keeping his head perfectly steady and straight to
the bar or fence. This position is the same as in the standing leap; and
the aids required are the same as for making a horse canter.
If held too tight in the act of leaping, the horse is likely to
overstrain himself, and fall. If hurried at a leap, it may cause him to
miss his distance, and spring too soon, or too late; therefore his pace
must be regulated, so that he may take his spring distant enough, and
proportionate to its height, so that he may clear it.
When nearing the leap the rider must sit perfectly square, erect,
pliant, and easy in the act of leaping; on arriving at the opposite side
of the leap, throw the body well back, and again have the horse well in
hand.
SWIMMING A HORSE.
The rider must take up and cross his stirrups, which will prevent the
horse from entangling himself or his rider; should he commence plunging
and struggling in the water, _then quite_ loosen the _curb_-reins, and
scarcely feel the bridoon; any attempt to guide the horse must be made
by the slightest touch of the rein possible.
The rider also must have his chest as much over the horse's withers as
he can, and throw his weight forward, holding on by the mane, to prevent
the rush of water from carrying him backwards.
Should a horse appear distressed, a person unable to swim may, with
great safety, hold firmly by the mane, and throw himself out flat on the
water; by those means he relieves the animal from his weight, and the
horse coming once more into his depth, the rider may again recover his
position in the saddle.
BOLTING, OR RUNNING AWAY.
This dangerous habit is to be found very generally in nervous and young
horses, who at the least noise, become alarmed, and try to escape;
quickening their pace, they break from a trot to a gallop, until
terrified with the impotent struggles of their riders to stop them, or
the sound of wheels behind them, they become maddened, and dash on in
their perilous career.
Once a horse finds he has succeeded in these efforts, on any recurrence
of noise or cause of affright, he will pursue the same course, to the
imminent peril of life, limb,--not only of the rider or driver,--but of
whoever or whatever he may chance to meet in his impetuous flight. The
habit at length becomes confirmed, and it is alone by the utmost nerve
and coolness, tempered with firmness and kindness, that we may hope
eventually to overcome the disease.
When a horse is known to have a disposition for running away, a firm,
steady hold should be kept over him, at the same time speaking
soothingly and encouragingly; but, at the least symptom, checking
sharply and scolding him, and never allowing him to increase his pace of
his own accord, as fear will oftentimes cause him at length to break
into a gallop.
Either in riding or driving, the reins should be held firmly, and the
horse had well in hand; but not by a constant pull to deaden the
sensitiveness of his mouth; taking care occasionally to ease the reins
and keep the mouth alive by a gentle motion of the bit, only just
loosening them, so that on any symptom of running away or bolting, they
may be caught up quickly, and the horse be well placed under command,
without frightening him.
By a little judicious management in this way, with patience, kindness
tempered with firmness, a cure in most cases will be completed in a
short time.
In riding and driving horses addicted to running away, be _very
particular_ that all portions of the horse furniture be sound and
strong, more _especially the reins_ and BITS.