Principles of modern riding for gentlemen

Front matter

iI.(8.!£'orimi

OF

GENTLEMEN.

Chap. III. Of Racing 278 DIRECTIONS FOR PLACING THE PLATES

Plate Page

I. Parts of the Horse 1

II. Mounting 34

III. Mounting 37

IV. Seat 38

V. Seat 56

VI. Seat 56

VII. Persian Seat 56

VIII. Roman Seat 51

IX. Grecian Seat 51

X. Walk 101

XI. Changes and Demivolts Ill

XII. Changes and Demivolts 113

XIII. Halt 117

XIV. Trot 132

XV. Cantering right forward 134

XVI. Cantering disunited 135

XVII. Cantering left forward 135

XVIII. Long Change 147

XIX. Shoulder-in 160

XX. Paces 160

XXI. Passage 178

XXII. Lesson on the Passage 179

XXIII. Terre-a-terre 187

XXIV. Lesson of the Circle 195

XXV. Leaping, Plate 1 201

XXVI. Leaping, Plate 2 201

XXVII. Leaping, Plate 3 201

XXVIII. Road Riding facing the Title.

XXIX. Trotting 277

XXX. Galloping 277

XXXI. Hunting Leap 277

XXXII. Racing 278 m m hi m

OF

Part I. Of The

HORSE, ITS EQUIPMENTS, AND THE MODES OF RIDING.

B

PART I.

OF THE HORSE, ITS EQUIPMENTS, AND THE MODES OF RIDING.

Chapter I. Of The Natural Paces Of The Horse

The natural paces of the horse are the Walk, the Trot, and the Gallop. These are all distinguished by the action of the legs and the beats of the feet, which mark a sharp, flat, slow, or rapid time.

I. The Walk is the most languid pace, being performed with less exertion than the others.

The action of the Walk is that motion of the legs in which one at a time is off* the

n 2 ground, and three on ; marking four distinct beats, as each foot in rotation comes to the ground in the following order : — The off fore foot, leading first, marks one; the near hind foot, two ; the near fore foot, three ; and the oft' hind foot, four.

Here though the feet follow each other quickly, yet the languor of the action makes the beats flat.

II. The Trot is a more animated pace, proceeding from the walk ; for when we urge the horse to proceed faster than he can by moving one leg after the other, we oblige him to take up two at a time.

In the Trot, the off fore foot and the near hind foot mark one beat; and the near fore foot and the off hind foot mark another beat ; so that in this action there are two legs crosswise off the ground, and two legs on, which in their alternate change of situation mark the time of one, two.

MODERN RIDING. D

Here the beats are sharp, and quick, in proportion to the degree of animation and extension.

III. The Gallop is a pace of still higher animation, and more exertion than the trot, and proceeds from the trot as the trot does from the walk ; for when we press a horse in the trot beyond his capacity, or animate him with the legs while we retain him with the hand, we compel him to raise his two fore legs after each other, which commences the action of the Gallop.

The action of the Gallop is in the following order, when leading with the right leg. — The near fore foot is first raised from the ground ; then the off fore foot. These come to the ground in the same order. The near fore foot marks one beat or time : the off fore foot, passing the other, while both are in the air, comes to the ground more forward, is the leading foot, and marks the second beat. The hind feet follow in like manner. The near hind foot marks a third beat; and the off hind foot, passing, comes to the ground more forward, and marks a fourth beat. Thus the action of the Gallop is by means of the two fore legs leading close after each other; and the hind legs immediately following in like order.

Here, when the gallop is united and true, the feet mark a regular, sharp, and quick time, of one, two, three, four.

IV. The Amble may perhaps be considered as a natural pace of the horse ; because most foals following their dams amble more or less to keep up with them. The difference between the walk and the amble is, that two legs of a side are raised in the latter at one and the same instant, and so on vice versa.

•

MODERN RIDING.

CHAP. II.

OF THE SADDLE AND BRIDLE.

Section I. Of the Saddle

The saddle must be considered first with relation to the horse, and secondly with relation to the rider.

I. With regard to the horse, the saddle prevents the friction he would endure if barebacked, or if he had merely a cloth on ; and it distributes the weight of the rider to the parts most capable of bearing it.

Without a saddle, the horse would sustain the weight in the middle and weakest part of the back ; but with a saddle, the rider's weight is distributed, as the saddle has bearings before and behind, but none in the middle.

8 PRINCIPLES OF P. T.

Hence it is evident, that the saddle should be proportioned to the size of the horse ; the bearings before being clear of interference with the plate-bone, and not extending further behind than within four inches of the hips.

The bearing of the saddle should be equal on every part it is intended to touch ; and the closer it comes, so that neither the weight of the rider nor settling of the pannel can bring it to injure the withers or chine, the better.

The rider should, therefore, examine with his finger from the bearing; of the side of the withers to the point of the tree, whether it appears to have equal pressure ; and the same around the hinder part of the saddle.

If there be space for the finger between the pommel and the withers, and between the chine and back part of the saddle, it probably will not injure the horse, unless the tree, being weak, spread with the weight of the rider, or the pannel is newly stuffed.

If, on the contrary, the points are so narrow that the saddle cannot come to its bearings till the girths or the weight of the rider bring it down, the pressure at these points may occasion heat and inflammation ; and the same is true as to the hind part of the saddle.

If, again, the saddle come down on its bearings, and the points are short, and stand so wide as not to touch, and the pommel so high as not to injure the withers (being the plan on which saddles are made to suit any horse), still a saddle with such contracted bearings cannot be said to fit, and when long journeys are taken in hot weather, inflammation will be produced.

If a saddle do not fit, the pannel cannot be stuffed so as to insure its not injuring the horse ; and where it does fit, superfluous stuffing should be avoided, as causing the saddle to shift its place, &c.

II. With regard to the rider, it must be observed, that a saddle may form a most unpleasant seat for him, though it fit the horse.

The best test of the propriety or adaptation of the seat is, when the rider, without stirrups and without effort, easily falls into and keeps his proper situation in the saddle ; for, when the seat is improperly shaped, he will be shifted and placed insecurely.

When the saddle is on the horse's back, the lowest part of the seat should be rather behind the centre of the saddle. There the weight of the body will fall, and the thighs be permitted to keep their proper position.

We have no hesitation in mentioning Jackson* as the best maker of gentlemen's saddles in London. His admirable improvements also in ladies' saddles render them the only ones fit to be used, as we have elsewhere shown.

r.

* No. 115, Crawford Street.

Section II. Of the Bridle

The bridle consists of reins and bits ; for the latter term may be applied to any piece of metal introduced into the horse's mouth for the purpose of restraint.

I. A short iron rod, made rather wider than the mouth of the horse, and provided with a hook or ring at each extremity for fastening the reins to, affords us an instance perhaps of the greatest possible simplicity in the construction of a bit ; and such a one only slightly curved forwards, to allow more liberty for the tongue, is at present in general use for the heavier kind of draft horses.

A rod similar to the former, in two pieces, and connected by a joint in the middle, is the next in point of simplicity, and is in common use for horses of light draft, as in those employed for the curricle, coach, &c.

1. The next in point of farther complication of parts, and which scarcely can be said to differ from the former, is the common snaffle. This is provided with two cross pieces, which rest against the lips or sides of the mouth externally; for, as the snaffle is intended for the saddle horse, and the reins go to the hands, these cross pieces are useful in preventing the bit from being drawn through the mouth.

The distinction between a bridon and snaffle is of little consequence ; for, on all occasions, the cross pieces of the latter are most convenient; and the bridon is merely an imperfect snaffle.

To give the greatest ease possible, a large and highly polished bit is necessary.

On the other hand, to give the greatest degree of severity to the mouth piece of the snaffle, it is twisted while hot in a spiral form, and is made to present by this means a sharp, rough, and unequal surface to the jaw, being capable, according to the degree of sharpness, of pressing the bars or lips with greater or less severity. The different degrees of punishment which this kind of bit is capable of inflicting will perhaps be found sufficient for all the purposes of correction.

2. The next kind of bit in use for horses is the curbed bit ; which, as it is an instrument of much greater complication of parts than the snaffle, so it appears to have been of comparatively recent date.

Stripped of all unnecessary trappings, this instrument consists of the following essential parts : — a mouth piece; two side branches, or inflexible rods of iron, firmly fixed to the former ; a chain passing from side to side, behind the chin, including the jaw; two eyes or rings at the upper extremity of these branches, serving to fasten them to the head stall, and stay them in the mouth, and leaving the chain attached to them ; two other rings at the lower extremity of the above branches receiving the reins, which pass to the hand, or sometimes in draft horses to the hook of the saddle, as

14 PRINCIPLES OP P. I.

a bearing rein. These are all the parts really necessary to constitute the curb.

The bits thus formed being placed in the mouth, and the chain passed round the lower jaw, the branches, it will be readily seen, become powerful levers when drawn backwards, acting upon the mouth piece as a centre, and squeezing, by means of the chain, whatever interposes between it and the mouth piece, with a force equal to the length of lever afforded by the lower branch.

This force, it will be perceived, is regulated not only by the length of the lever below the mouth piece, but also by the greater or less distance at v/hich the chain is placed from it. The chain is usually fixed to the eye of the cheek piece, where the head stall is fastened : if, therefore, this part is very long, it is evident it must moderate or counteract the power and effect of the lower end of the branch, and render it less severe, by bringing the centre of motion nearer to the middle of the lever.

It appears manifest, from the construction of this instrument, that its whole force is exerted upon the jaw itself, and that it has power to pinch the bars with violence, even to the fracture of the bone ; and this with very powerful branches has sometimes happened. It can also bruise and totally destroy the tender covering of the inside of the mouth, and the skin beneath the jaw.

From considering its mode of operating, it might reasonably be doubted whether it does in reality stop the horse by its power and opposed force, as is generally conceived at present, or rather by the severity of the pain it inflicts; for should the horse arm himself against this, it is totally insufficient to arrest his course ; of which instances occur in runaway horses every day.

We may now speak of the particular parts of the curb.

The mouth piece of the curb is usually provided with an upset or arch in the middle of it, as it would, if perfectly straight, rest on the tongue, and occasion an unpleasant restraint. This passage for the tongue is often made so narrow and small by the bit makers, that one would apprehend they scarcely had a right idea of its use. It should not, however, be high. From the circumstance of its allowing a passage for the tongue, it has been called by some, the liberty ; and, for the same reason, by others, the porte; hence we have the porte-mouth bit, vulgarly called among the bit makers and grooms the Portsmouth bit; and by a supposed counter expression to this term, we probably get the Weymouth bit.

The straight part of the mouth piece which rests upon the bars of the jaw is termed by the French le canon, and by the old English writers the jeive. This part should be well polished, and may be made of any proper figure, as that of a cylinder, cone, oval, globe, pear shape, &c. It is obvious that the effect of the curb, as far as it respects the bars, will be correspondent to the thickness or thinness, smoothness or roughness, of this part : — the larger and broader it is, the more surface it covers; and thus the pressure, by being distributed over more points, becomes less felt. The enlargement, however, of the canon or jeive should not to be carried to an excess. To render these irons less irritating to the mouth, and to avoid their friction upon the bars, the jeives are provided with loose movable rollers of well polished iron, which readily turning on the axes of the bits, very considerably diminish their severity. These movable pieces may also be useful in preventing the horse from catching and holding the bit in his teeth.

The chain is the part most essentially necessary to give effect to all the other parts of the curb, and may be placed, as we have already noticed, at any given distance above the mouth piece; its operation being more powerful, as this distance is exceeded by the length of the branches.

The chain is fastened on one side to the eye of the banquet where the head-stall is fastened ; on the other, to a hook hanging from the same part. This chain, as it is at present used, is composed of iron links or rings, so bent, or indented, as to form, when put together, one uniform nearly flat surface ; and these links, by twisting or untwisting, may be made to present a surface with any degree of roughness to the chin.

The larger and thicker the rings are, provided they are smooth and well polished, the easier the effect of the chain.

When great tenderness is required, this chain may be covered with leather or cloth ; or where still greater delicacy is desirable, the curb may be made wholly of leather, without any chain.

In the view we are taking of the construction of the bit, the sides have been considered as straight, plain levers of indeterminate length : this is, however, in practice, often varied.

By some, to prevent the horse from catching the bit in his mouth (when in the straight kind this is not prevented by a chin strap), the branch is made with an arch or semicircle in the middle, like the letter C, turned backwards. Still, however, whether bent into that or any other shape, it is the length of the lever, and its strength, which alone give the power.

As to the cheek piece or banquet, its eye commands and gives efficiency to the rest of the bit, or, in other words, decides the distance of the chain from the mouth piece, or centre of motion. The eye, or hole at the upper end of the branch, should be so placed as not to hurt the cheek.

The most useful bit of the curbed kind appears to be the Weymouth bit, which is at present in common use for draft horses of light work, as for carriages, coaches, Sec. It

r ° consists of a strong plain mouth piece, of uniform thickness throughout, without any upset or jeive, but is simply curved forwards to give liberty to the tongue. This kind of construction is the simplest perhaps that the curb admits of.

The easier, simpler, and lighter a bit is in all its parts, provided it produces the desired effect, the better and more agreeable it will be.

The thicker and more fleshy, and the wider or broader the bars of the horse, the rougher may be the mouth piece. For the leaner and more delicate, consequently, the bits should be less severe. Care should also be taken that the mouth piece be well suited to the size and width of the mouth, and be not too narrow, as this would give pain, by squeezing the bars together : if, on the contrary, it is very wide, it rests with more force on the bars, without the interposition of the lips, as is most usually the case. Where the tongue is large and prominent, the upset should also be in proportion, otherwise the bit could not rest upon the bars, but would press upon the tongue.

3. As to the Reins, we need only observe, that their centres should be accurately marked ; but when, by both reins beingheld in one hand, the near or left rein has to pass under the little finger and on the outside of the right rein over the forefinger, this should cause the right rein to be held from half to three quarters of an inch shorter, and the centre to come proportionably toward the left.

4. It remains for us to notice the proper application and adjustment of these to the horse's mouth.

In adjusting the bridle on the horse, the headstall, parallel to the projecting cheek bone, and immediately above it, must be of such length as to admit the mouth piece of the curb to rest on the bars, an inch above the lower tushes, but clearing the under ones. Mares having no tushes, the mouth piece must be placed in their mouths about two inches above the corner tooth. The nose band must be buckled beneath the snaffle headstall, and so that a finger can pass freely under it in front of the horse's nose. The bit of the snaffle must be a little higher, but not so high as to wrinkle the corner of the mouth. The throat-lash should be buckled rather loose, to admit the horse when going to bridle his head. The mane is usually cut close where the headstall comes, and the finger should clear any part of the mane or foretop that may interfere with it. The foretop, when combed smooth, may be put over or under the front. The curb is the last thingadjusted, and though a trifling variation may be proper, according to the manner in which the horse carries his head, we set down that which suits the generality of horses.

The curb chain is to pass under the snaffle : therefore put your right hand under the snaffle reins to take hold of the curb chain ; with the left, put two fingers within the cheek of the bit ; and with your thumb take hold of the curb hook. The end links of the curb chain being in your right hand, turn the chain to the right, or as you would turn a screw, till every link lies smooth and flat, as though it were a strap, and then without losing a half turn, put that link on the hook which appears to be most appropriate, i. e. neither tight nor slack, and examine how the branch operates. If the branch has liberty to move forty-five degrees and no more, it is the action which is most proper ; but a few degrees more or less are not to be regarded. Nevertheless, if one link of the chain confines it to thirty-five degrees, and putting one link lower gives it liberty to fifty-five degrees, the manner your horse carries his head must determine which of the links is most proper. If the horse naturally carries his nose high, let the branch have fifty-five degrees : if he brings his nose in, thirty-five will be best. We should be able to pass the finger between the horse's jaw and the curb.

If there is a chain-strap, the strap must be placed so high on the branch, that when passed through the ring in the curb-chain, it must be buckled to such tightness as to preclude the possibility of the horse lodging the branch on his teeth. Unnecessary tightness should be avoided, as it renders the bit less comfortable to the horse.

When a horse can stop readily and with ease, when his head is constant and steady, and he is light and firm in the hand, and so supple as to be able to obey it in all its motions with ease and readiness, he gives ample proof that the bit is properly adjusted and fitted to his mouth, and that he is reconciled and even pleased with the power it exercises over him : on the contrary, if he open his mouth as if he was gagged, if he writhe and twist his jaws, if he draw up his tongue above the mouth piece, or thrust it out of his mouth sideways, if he retain himself or run backward, if he carry his head very low, and endeavour to force the hand, if he fear the impression of the bit, have no appuy, toss his head up and down, or refuse to advance and go forward, interrupting his manege with various disorders, he gives evident reason to suspect that the bit is not properly adapted to his mouth, and offends or hurts it, either within side or without.

CHAP. III.

OF THE MODES OF RIDING.

Manege riding is the art which teaches us command over the horse. For this purpose, it shows the effect and power produced by every variation of situation and aids. These are its means of rendering the horse obedient to the most delicate touches, of riding him with the greatest ease and exactness either forward, backward, or sideways, and of making him display himself in the most elegant attitudes.

By this method we ride with perfect security ; for though we do so with the highest animation, and occasional rapidity, we never suffer the ascendency of the hand to be transferred to the horse.

By this continual restraint, the horse is of course in general prevented from making the speed his capacity would admit : and the more he exerts himself to that purpose without the rider's permission the sooner he is exhausted.

It is evident that to those who ride fast long distances, or who hunt, the manege style is not calculated, either as regards their own ease or that of the horse.

Nevertheless, besides the fundamental and indispensable knowledge which it imparts, the study of the manege has many advantages.

We are not confined to riding in the manege style when we find it more convenient to ride in any other ; but whenever we adopt the proper style for more extended paces, and suffer the horse to take a support and ascendency of the hand, we can, when necessary, more readily recover the superiority of the hand than those who are ignorant of the art.

There are many persons who have been in the habit of riding from their infancy, who ride boldly in hunting, or on other occasions, and who yet, if by chance their horses happen to be restive, stop short, turn round, and refuse to obey the bridle or answer the spurs, are very awkward, destitute of knowledge to act effectively, and really in danger of being thrown. This may arise not from any extraordinary effort of the horse, but from defect in the seat ; which, though sufficient to keep them in the saddle in the common paces of the horse, exposes them to danger on the most trifling occasions.

From ignorance of the principles of riding, such persons, moreover, are continually exposed to innumerable hazards, which they do not see, nor will attribute to the true causes when they happen.

A horse trips, for instance, and the rider tumbles over his head. He then ascribes that to the horse's falling, which is really ascribable to his bad riding ; as he ought not to have fallen with his horse, but should have assisted him, and prevented the accident. The general cause of horses falling is more the fault of the rider than the horse, namely, bad sitting, and heavy hands.

We are often told that a horse reared, and the person fell off behind, in order that the horse might not fall backwards on him ; but we are not told the occasion of the horse's rearing, which was perhaps only the severity of the rider's hand .

Another's horse is said to have shyed to the other side of the road, and the rider is thereby said to have lost his stirrup and fallen into the ditch. The rider of course never says, he fell because he could not ride, but because the horse shyed.

We have all heard also of persons, who, riding against other horses, or meeting carriages in narrow places, could not stop the horse, but ran against the shafts, killed the horse on the spot, or providentially escaped

30 MODERN RIDING, ETC. P. I.

with only a few contusions and bruises. No prudent horseman ever met with such disasters.

The reason of such accidents is obvious.

A person may sit prepared for a horse's rearing ; yet, if the horse were only to stumble on his knees he would tumble over his head.

The rider who, on the contrary, should guard only against kicking and stumbling, would be exposed to danger if the horse reared.

The rules of manege riding place every member in a situation to act on every emergency.

Other modes of riding will be explained in the sequel.

OF

MODERN RIDING.

Part II. Of

MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING, ETC.

PART II.

OF MOUNTING, DISMOUNTING, ETC.

Chap. I. Of Mounting By Distinct Steps

Section I. — Preliminary .

The pupil should be brought forward by degrees, and with due preparation. His lessons should be short and gentle, as well with a view to his gradual progress, as to prevent injury from too great exertion.

Some teachers so much regard this progression that before they place a man on horseback they make him execute, and that with facility, lessons with the bridle and sad-

D die alone ; and these occupy his attention several days.

The early lessons are given with a snaffle bridle, on a well trained and steady horse.

The first instructions are those of Mounting and Dismounting.

Section II. — Of Mounting by distinct Steps.

Whatever the disposition of a horse may be, he should be approached apparently in good temper. Horses know by appearance whether the rider is angry or pleased, bold or timid, handy or awkward. A soothing tone of voice and caresses are pleasing ; and to such as are unsteady, or have a dislike to be mounted, it helps to dispel their fears. Young horses especially should therefore be thus gently treated and much encouraged.

Before mounting, it is proper to observe whether the saddle is rightly placed, the girths secure and not too tight (for many horses are apt to plunge when they are), the bridle fitly on, and the curb when used smoothly placed.

It is customary to mount a horse on the near or left side.

The rider presents himself rather before the horse's shoulder, with his left breast towards that shoulder, and with his whip or switch in his left hand.

He then takes the snaffle reins in the centre with the right hand, introduces the little finger of the left hand between them from before, the back of that hand being towards the horse's head, and places the left hand below the right on the neck of the horse, about twelve inches from the saddle.

The right hand draws the reins through the left and shortens them, so that the left has a light and equal feeling of both reins on

d 2 the horse's mouth ; the right hand remaining for an instant over the left.

The right hand, after throwing the reins to the off side, takes a lock of the mane, brings it through the left hand, and turns it round the left thumb. The left hand closes firmly on the mane and reins.

The right hand, after quitting the mane, lays hold of the left stirrup ; the fingers behind, and the thumb in front of it. Plate II.