On horseback, in the school and on the road

Front matter

TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

3 9090 014 553 214

JOHNA.SEAVERNS

Preface

This book is a welding together, re-arrangement and partial re-writing of two predecessors. I published the first, " How to Ride," in London, during a temporary residence abroad. It was my intention to bring out an edition of it in this country, but I was prevented doing so by the action of the Orange Judd Company, which issued my book in a mutilated form, incorporated with matter by some other hand, under the title of "Riding and Training Saddle Horses."

The second book, called "A System of School Training for Horses" (about to appear in London), which was intended as a sequel to

4 PREFACE.

its predecessor, would prove too technical for readers who have not had the instructions of the primary work, and as the unauthorized edition was neither complete nor credited to me, I have thought best to meet the case by the complete re-arrangement offered herewith. In these pages I have not only endeavored to render my meaning clear by full explanations of the theories advanced, but have also incorporated in the index a glossary of terms used.

Cincinnati, March 25, 1882.

Contents

PAGB

Preface 3

Part I. On The Road

CHAPTER

I. How TO USE A Horse 21

II. Equipments 26

Bits and Martingales 27

III. Getting into Place 31

To Mount 31

The Seat 34

The Reins 39

IV. Horse Gymnastics 41

Exercises for the Seat 43

For the Balance 45 ,

For the Legs and Feet 47

To Mount 48

To Dismount 50

General Exercises 51

6 CONTENTS,

CHAPTER PAGE

V, Hands AND Legs 53

VI. The Walk and the Trot 63

VII. The Gallop 69

VIII. Leaping 72

IX. Vices, Tricks, and Faults 77

Part II. In The School

I. The Equilibrium 86

II. Suppling the Forehand 9

III. Suppling THE Croup 112

IV. To Back 121

V. The Passage 129

VI. The Piaffer 132

VII. To Back at the Piaffer 136

VIII. Changes in the Gallop 139

IX. To Halt in the Gallop 147

X. The Gallop IN Place 150

XL To Back at the Gallop 154

Xn. The Spanish Trot 158

XIII. Traversing IN the Passage 165

XIV. Traversing AT THE Gallop 172

XV. Voltes and Pirouettes 176

XVI. Teaching TO Leap 183

XVn. General Notes 197

XVIII. When Ladies Ride 208

Introduction

It is fit that I should offer some explanation for advocating the school system of training, since it is generally regarded as something fanciful and useless, if not positively mischievous.

First, a few words concerning the importance of a thorough method in the training of horses for the saddle, and then I shall answer, as far as I am able, the objections that are raised against the systems of the schools.

Whether it be in the field, upon the

8 INTRODUCTIOJV.

road, or in the troop, the rider must follow some sort of method in the management of his horse.

Every horse that can be ridden is to some extent schooled, as we understand It in the manage, and the more amenable he is to the will of the rider the more nearly the object of every system of the schools has been obtained, no matter whether his trainer knew or was ignorant of what he was effecting or how it was brought about.

Teaching the horse to turn to the right or to the left, driving him forward with the heels, and measuring his speed and perfecting his paces, are things that every rider endeavors to accomplish, and these are, all of them, primary principles of the schools.

Is it not well to go further, and to teach the horse a ready and precise obedience to the every wish of his rider? For the object of school methods is simply to acquire control over the horse under all circumstances, and the various movements practiced are for the purpose of rendering him quick and willing to answer the demands of his rider.

As to the uselessness of this training and its results, where shall the line be drawn between the highly-trained charger and the awkward, stubborn colt ? It may not be necessary for the gentleman who follows the hounds or takes a ride in the park, to move about at the traverse or to exhibit the action of his horse in the Spanish trot, but if he can make his horse perform these movements he will have an animal that is the safer and pleasanter to ride, by reason of his lightness and obedience.

Nor do I see any grounds for the principal objection against school training, that it decreases the speed of the horse. It is true that In the balanced movements of the manege the horse is made to step short, both to retain the balance in the direct line and to enable the animal to make short and sudden changes of direction. But to enable a horse to carry himself in the equilibrium of the school his every muscle must be suppled and strengthened, and I hold that it is self-evident that when the horse is permitted to extend himself his speed would be the greater and his going the stronorer for his tralnlnor. This Is evidenced, too, in the buck-jumps and the other high movements of the manage. In the limited area of the riding-school, the trained horse will take leaps that would do credit to the most active hunter, while the latter would not find room to turn in his lumbering gallop. Why this suppleness and strength should decrease the natural speed of the horse I cannot conceive, and I think that the idea originated in the belief that the short step of the balanced horse is the natural result of a cramped training-ground, and not, as is the fact, purposely brought about by strengthening and suppling the animal, so that he may carry himself lightly.

It should be observed that in modern school-riding, the forces of the horse are brought into balance, so that no undue weight falls upon either extremity. Thus another objection to the system is groundless.

To kick a horse along and to pull him to the right or to the left by sheer force, is,- to a certain extent, riding, and I suppose will satisfy the requirements of most horsemen, but it is not the highest standard of horsemanship, and the more it is improved upon the better for the horse and his rider.

I think that it Is a mistake to place children of tender age upon horseback, for there is nothing to be gained In such a course that will compensate for the risk of injuries they may receive. An active man may learn to ride well at any age ; and a bold boy of fourteen, who comprehends the system upon which he is taught,

INTRODUCTION.

n will in six months become a better horseman than the lad who has been riding six years according to his own ideas. It is not given to all men to excel in riding ; courage, activity, a perfect temper, and aptitude for the exercise are requisite for the acquirement of the highest skill. But a knowledge of a proper method will give to every one comparative immunity from the dangers that attend horsemanship. A schooled horse, confiding in his master and obedient to the spur, is not apt to try his powers in rebellion ; and when in hand and properly gathered he will recover from a mistake that might otherwise prove disastrous.

It is not necessary that every man should learn or that every horse should be taught all the movements of the mandge.

INTRODUCTION.

It will be enough for all practical purposes of ordinary riding If the horse carries himself in equilibrium and obeys the indications of the hand and legs, and the rider has a seat that permits him to make a measured use of the aids under every circumstance of motion and action. But that which remains to make a thorough horseman and a schooled horse Is so little, that I have here given a method for those movements of the inandge that have been found most useful In giving the horse control of his powers and in making him obedient to the will of his rider.

There can be no objection to a rider becoming skillful in the management of his horse, or to the horse being rendered obedient to his master's wishes. A perfectly schooled horse Is a horse perfectly fitted

INTRODUCTION.

for any use ; and a rider who has a seat that permits him to apply the aids in the vigorous movements of the mandge is prepared for any emergency, upon the road or in the field.

There are those who hold the opinion that no one can learn to ride from the rules laid down in books. How is one to learn to ride ? From the first there is little that the beginner must not learn, from rule or from example, and, according to his aptitude for the exercise, he improves in skill by practicing that which he has acquired by observation or through instruction. The general rules of the art are the results of ages of experiment, and it is doubtful whether a man would ever, by his unaided efforts, reach any great proficiency in riding. One may consider himself to be selfl6 INTRODUCTION.

taught ; but the fact is that nearly everything he knows about riding is derived from imitatinor those who have in some way gained a knowledge of proper usages, and afterwards by deducing natural sequences from these established rules.

If the pupil is fortunate enough to have the personal instruction of a skilled master, he will, perhaps, learn more rapidly than by following the precepts of a book. But he is much more apt to find a proper system in some work that has received the approbation of the authorities upon the subject than in the instruction he receives from grooms and self-styled masters. The instructions given to the recruits in the military riding-schools are, for the greater part, a repetition by the instructor of the printed rules, which he must learn by rote.

I have known m^iny good riders who owed all they knew in the art to a study of the intricate laws laid down by Baucher. I have many times taught movements to horses by following the directions of competent writers, and I have never failed in accomplishing that which I undertook.

I wrote How to Ride, and I write this work, from a love of my subject, and because I am convinced that a pupil may learn to ride and to school a horse from books.

While I do not think that this book can in any sense be considered a compilation, I wish to say that I have studied the works of nearly all the modern writers upon my subject and have had instruction from several professional school-riders ; but I have also had the experience of many years in training my own horses, and I believe that in every chapter I have presented original ideas, not inconsistent, I hope, with proved methods.

PART I

ON THE ROAD

Chapter I. How To Use A Horse

The whip and the spur are necessary aids in the education of the horse, and in compelling his obedience after he has been trained. The whip should be seldom used to inflict punishment, the spurs never. For instance, if a horse rears, the spurs must be employed to force the action of the hind-quarters, and so to drive him forward ; but having brought about that result, they must not be thrust into him to punish him for rearing. The horse is to be taught that

22 HOW TO USE A HORSE.

the spur is applied to make him bring certain forces into action, and when used with discretion he will respond to it ; but unnecessary strokes with the spur will rouse his resentment, and he will stubbornly refuse to obey its indications. It serves no good purpose to irritate a horse, as he will never yield while angry. A contest between horse and rider should always be avoided, for, in addition to the chances that the former will prove the victor, a high-spirited animal may be made incurably vicious, when by milder treatment he could be subdued without endangering his usefulness. A rebuke in a harsh tone of voice will generally suffice to correct a horse, and he will not know how to resent it. The best way to control the horse is through firmness no IV TO USE A HORSE, and kindness, but timidity Is worse than severity In Inducing vice.

The young horse soon becomes tractable, and as long as his temper Is unruffled he desires to do that which is required of him. Until the spirit of rebellion is awakened, he is as anxious to avoid the perils of battle as his master should be. If upon an occasion he declines to perform some movement that is required of him, let his attention be turned to that which will please him, and his obedience In this will Induce his obedience afterwards to the first demand. To give up to him after a battle will confirm his obstinacy, but he will soon forget his unnoticed defiance. Under proper treatment he vv^ill in time yield to the will of his master w^Ithout dreaming of resistance.

24 ^OIV TO USE A HORSE.

The story of Tarleton taming his savage steed with bloody spurs, and the vivid descriptions of the manner in which the Mexican breaks the spirit of the mustang, may pass to adorn the pages of a romance, or to heighten the interest of a travelers tale. But, aside from the cruelty and peril of such methods, there remains the fact that horses so broken submit for the time only, and the struggle is to be repeated more or less often. Except in those rare cases of horses naturally vicious, and they are lunatics, fear is the mastering passion of the horse. It is cowardice that drives him to desperate resistance against the sway of his master ; the effort that is successful in ridding him of his tyrant suggests his favorite vice.

HO IV TO USE A HORSE.

I do not, in these remarks, have reference to those tricks that a horse acquires through the inexperience or the timidity of a rider, for, like all cowards, the horse loves to play the bully. As he will seldom take the liberty of practicing these upon a resolute man, it is not necessary to point out to his victims what course to pursue.

If the horse is taught to calm his fears at the sound of the voice of man — if he is never ill-treated, in or out of the stable — if he does not perceive timidity upon the part of his masters, and if, with all these conditions, he is given plenty of air and exercise, he will never show vice.

Chapter II. Equipments

The Saddle,

The tree, of the pattern known to the world as the English saddle, should be selected and covered to permit the rider, with his peculiarities of figure, taking an erect position from his buttocks. It must be large enough. A saddle that is too short prohibits a proper seat, but the rider may be comfortable in a saddle that is larger than is absolutely required.

The panel should be stuffed to fit the horse when the saddle is placed as far forward as will admit of the free use of the shoulders.

The stirrups should be roomy, with a broad tread, and of medium weight. The holes of the leathers should be punched to correspond, and numbered. The leathers should be attached to the saddle by a spring-bar; the bar that works upon a hinge is the best.

Bits and Martingales,

There is no combination-bit that will supply the place of the "curb and snaffle" of the double bridle. The effects of both of these are required in schooling and in riding the horse. And, although they are never to be used simultaneously, the action of one must often follow that of the other in a manner that precludes the substitution of a single bit.

The snaffle should be buckled to the under check-pieces of the bridle, so that it will He up in the corners of the mouth without pressure.

The mouth-piece of the curb should be of proper width. It is to rest upon the bars of the mouth ; for which reason the port should be of a size to hold the tongue, but it must not be high enough to torture the horse. The cheek-pieces should be from one and a-half to one and three-quarters inches in length from the center of the mouth-piece to the fastening of the curb-chain hook. The branches should be from four and a-half to five inches in length, according to the power required.

The curb chain should hang loosely in

EQUIPMENTS.

the groove of the chin, and Its width should depend upon the size of the groove.

When the bits have been fitted, and the horse has become accustomed to them, they should not be shifted.

There is little to be said in favor of martingales. The martingale tends to keep the snaffle in place upon a young or a tender-mouthed horse, who throws up

his head to a heavy hand ; but its inter-

-t

vention denies that delicate tension on the mouth that we are seeking ; and it will not cure, although it may restrain, the habit that seems to demand its use. The standing martingale, buckled into the bit, is a cruel instrument that may throw the horse. The least objectionable of all the martingales is that attached to a nose-band. But this, to be of any service, confines the head of the horse too much for him to make the necessary efforts to recover from a mistake. None of these contrivances will prevent a horse rearing, and the lastnamed will answer all the purposes that the others may.

I believe that every horse is susceptible of being taught to carry his head in position, and I shall endeavor to show how this end may be brought about.

Chapter III. Getting Into Place

To Mount,

Facing the near side of the horse, stand opposite his girth ; take the reins in the right hand, and with it grasp the pommel of the saddle, shortening the reins until you feel the mouth of the horse.

Hold the stirrup with the left hand, and insert the left foot ; seize a lock of the mane in the left hand, close to the crest of the neck, turning the thumb uppermost.

Rise in the stirrup, aided by both

hands, until the left leg is straightened ;

GETTING INTO PLACE.

carry over the right leg, and sink Into the saddle.

Whe7i the seat is obtained release the holds upon the mane and pommel, and pass the reins into the left hand.

After the left hand has seized the mane the horse cannot prevent the rider reaching his seat ; and the rider firmly establishes himself before he withdraws the support of either hand.

There is no difficulty, for one who is not infirm, to mount in this way, and the only objection that can be made to it, so far as I can see, is that by a " cow-kick " the man standing at the girth may receive an injury. But this is a rare vice, and a horse that kicks is dangerous to approach, for mounting or for any other purpose ; so that it is hardly worth while to abandon a

GETTING INTO PLACE.

system that is otherwise excellent, because it does not apply to a very small class of vicious brutes, that should not be used for saddle under any circumstances.

On the other hand, nearly every horse will paw with a fore-foot, if at all impatient, and he who stands in front of the shoulder of a horse is not secure from injury. Among the other disadvantages of the generally adopted method I may mention the following : —

1. The rider, standing in front of the shoulder of the horse, may be overset by a forward movement ; and this danger is greatly increased after the foot is put into the stirrup.

2. The left hand, entangled and held in

the hairs of the mane, cannot use the reins.

GETTING INTO PLACE.

3. The drag upon the cantle of the saddle must, in all cases, disturb Its position, and may cause It to turn.

4. The right arm fastened to the cantle of the saddle prevents the right leg passing over the back of the horse.

5. To pass the right leg over the horse the right arm must be removed ; thus taking away the principal brace of the body at the most critical time, and allowing the body, in case of any movement, to fall backwards towards the shoulder of the horse.

6. The absence of a reason for any one motion in the method.

The Seat.

Upon the seat depends the security of the rider, not only as regards his remaining upon the horse, but in permitting hina to use that Hghtness and deHcacy of touch that is required to manage and control the horse. It has often been said that this desired lightness of touch is a rare gift, wholly denied to strong men. But if a man have a seat that is independent of any support from the reins, he may acquire a light touch upon the mouth of the horse as readily as he may make a fine stroke with a pen.

As I have said, each man has a seat peculiar to himself, and that will be his seat for all purposes, whether in the field, upon the road, or in the school.

It will be obtained in the following manner : —

After having reached the saddle, disengage the left foot from the stirrup. Then bearing the weight of the body upon the buttocks, make the inner sides of the thigh, from the knee up, grasp the saddle. The body must be held erect, the shoulders thrown back, and the chin drawn in ; and the elbows should be carried close to the sides.

The legs, from the knee down, should hang without stiffness, and the feet will, without effort, find their proper place, parallel with the body of the horse.

The length of stirrup-leather will be found when the tread of the iron strikes the heel of the boot immediately above the junction of the sole. The toes will be raised and inserted in the stirrups as far as the balls of the feet.

The stability of the seat is dependent upon the zveight of the body, the balci7ice,

GETTING INTO PLACE.

and \}ci^ grasp of the thighs. The erect seat upon the breech, that we have described, permits the body to make, most readily, those motions that are necessary for preserving the perpendicular appHcation of the weight, and for keeping the balance. The strongest hold upon the saddle possible is with the inside of the thighs.

There should be no pressure upon the stirrups ; for this would relieve the weight, •disturb the balance, and force the grip of the thighs. It is no argument in favor of riding upon the stirrups that the horsemen of the East carry their knees up to the pommel of the saddle, for the Mexicans, who are better riders, extend the leg to its full length.

It is in spite of bad systems that

GETTING INTO PLACE.

these peoples who live on horseback become skillful in the management of their steeds. Because a circus performer standing upon one leg keeps his horse under circumstances that would prevent a poor rider from keeping in his saddle, it does not follow that the proper way to ride is upon one leg.

The seat having been found and the stirrups having been adjusted, no changes should be made for the different circumstances under which the rider will be called upon to exercise his skill. It is bad art when the principles are not suited to every emergency ; and the seat that has been found to be that in which the center of gravity can best be preserved in the high airs of the mandgey where the horse makes the most violent movements of the forehand and of the croup, should answer all requirements.

The Reins,

The beginner will use the reins of the snaffle only. He will take a rein in the grasp of each hand, the loose end passing under and held by the thumb, at a length that will give him command of the mouth of the horse.

In teaching the horse the changes of direction, as Is described in the chapter upon " Hands and Legs," one hahd will hold the curb, the reins divided by the little finger and grasped by the thumb ; while the snaffle-reins will be held above those of the curb, divided by the breadth of the other hand.

There are various ways prescribed

GETTING INTO PLACE.

for holding the reins in riding the trained horses, but I prefer the following method : —

In the left hand : the curb-reins divided by the little finger ; the snaffle-reins divided by the middle finger ; the ends of both sets carried up through the hand and secured by the thumb, which should be uppermost and pointed to the ears of the horse. By bending the wrist to the right so that the knuckles come uppermost, the head of the horse will be carried to the right, and the change made in that direction. By bending the wrist to the left, so that the finger-nails come uppermost, the horse will be turned to the left. There should never be tension upon the two bits at the same time. The horse should be ridden upon the curb;

the snaffle will be used to fix the height of his head, and, occasionally, to take the place of the curb to freshen the mouth.

The right hand will be carried upon the loose ends of the reins to assist the left.

Chapter IV. Horse Gymnastics

The following exercises will be found of great service in giving strength to the seat, in aiding the balance, In teaching the habit of regaining a lost position without disturbing the tension of the reins, and in giving ease and grace to all the motions of the rider.

When so Indicated, these movements will be made from the position prescribed for " the seat." [42]

Exercises for the Seat,

I

In the seat, with the arm hanging motionless by his side, let the pupil take away one thigh from contact with the saddle and bring it back into its place, with the point of the knee turned in as much as possible, the movement being made by a rotation of the hip joint. This should then be done with the other leg.

II

From the seat, and the rest of the body in quiet, raise both knees to meet above the pommel of the saddle, and bring them back to the saddle, making the inner sides of the thighs take as many points of contact as possible.

III

In the seat, keeping the thighs close to the saddle, let the pupil lean back until his shoulders touch the rump of the horse ; then let him quietly recover his erect position.

IV

In the seat, keeping the buttocks in the saddle and the thighs in place, let the pupil lean forward and slightly to one side until one of his shoulders touches the crest of the horse. Then let him slowly recover his position.

HORSE GYMNASTICS.

V

In the seat, let the body sway forward, to one side, to the rear, to the other side, and then Into position ; then reverse the movement.

VI

Lose the seat to the right, and without aid from the hands bring the body back into the saddle by a quick turn of the buttocks ; then make the movements to the other side. This should be practiced at the walk, at the trot, and at the gallop.

For the Balance,

I.

In the seat, the arms hanging without stiffness, carry the right leg over the pommel to the left side ; then carry both legs over to the right ; then come back to the seat by carrying the left leg to Its place.

II.

In the seat, carry the right leg over the pommel to the left side ; then work the body upon the buttocks as a pivot until the face Is to the rear. Carry the left leg over, then the right leg, and work the body upon the buttocks as a pivot until the face Is to the front. Resume the seat by carrying the left leg over the pommel to Its place ; then reverse the movement.

For the Legs and Feet,

L

In the seat, keeping the knees fixed, bring the lower part of first the one leg and then the other, as high up on the side of the horse as is possible, without either touching the horse or moving the knee. This movement should be done at the walk, at the trot, and at the gallop, so that the rider may have perfect control of the action of the legs in directing the movements of the croup.

II.

In the seat, the legs hanging without stiffness and the rest of the body quiet, rotate, first the one foot and then the other, from the ankle joint, with an outward and then an inward movement. The improvement in this exercise may be measured by the facility with which the pupil can gain his stirrups by the action of the feet only.

To MotmL

Standing at the shoulder of the horse, facing the near side, with the left hand seize a lock of the mane close to the crest, the hairs passing down through the hand, the thumb uppermost.