Graceful Riding Part 5

There are those who say no, to the off-head being cut away, "for should a lady become nervous, she could not steady herself so well as if the head had been left on;" here I fully agree, but beg to say in reply, that before a lady attempts the road or anywhere where she might be placed in such a critical position, she must have her nerves so strengthened through her equestrian education, that she need not look to the off-head of her saddle for safety; her _point d'appui_ is the leaping-head. When holding on by the off-head, the lady of course loses _the use_ of one hand. Next, her horse may go where he pleases, for she cannot get her hands down to have a good pull at his mouth. Then, in hunting, the poor lady's wrists are everlastingly bruised by the off-head, to say nothing of the danger of their being broken by it.

BRIDLES.

There is a great variety of bridles. Generally speaking, the plainer the bridle the better, more especially for hunting and hacking; for the former, let your bit be long in the check (_i.e._, in moderation), the mouth-piece thick, having the bridoon the same, the _suaviter in modo_ being much more agreeable than the _fort.i.ter in re_, to all animals. For hack bridles, any fancy check may do, if the horse's head be sufficiently handsome; but let me request my readers not to put a fancy bridle on a coa.r.s.e-bred, common horse.

THE THROAT LASH.

Simple as it may appear, it spoils the heads of all horses, as it is usually made. It should be long enough to fall just below the cheek-bone, and not to lay _on_ or _over_ it, as it makes the animal's head look short and thick.

NOSE BAND.

Not as they were used in days past, _attached_ to bridle, but _separate_. No one knows its efficacy when placed low, but those who have tried it; its exact position will, of course, depend much on the size of the mouth.

CHIN STRAP.

Some imagine this is not an indispensable thing to a bridle, either in hunting or hacking, _but it is_, more especially in _Pelham's_. I have seen a horse in tossing his head, throw the Pelham bit over on to his face; had a chin strap been attached to the bridle, this could not have happened.

THE EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL.

(_Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert._)

BY S. C. WAITE, ESQ.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

Standard.

Mr. Waite's book will put _every one_, who shall obey its instructions, in the way of riding _well_; for it does as much as a book can to teach the theory of the art. It is a book to be purchased and carefully read by every one, not an experienced horseman, who purposes to ride or buy a horse, and even the _experienced_ horseman will find in it _valuable_ information.

Morning Advertiser.

This work reflects high credit on Mr. Waite for its practical lucidity, and the pleasing manner in which the instructions are imparted. His directions for _curing_ the acquired _bad_ habits of horses, too often the results of ill usage, or violence of ignorant grooms and horse-breakers, are excellent. The position of the saddle, the proper fixing of it and the bridle, the _best_ method of mounting, position in the saddle (ill.u.s.trated by diagrams), are carefully and sensibly treated on. The third section, "Advice to Ladies," is novel, and the hints _invaluable, not only to the fair s.e.x, but to those who may have to instruct them in the graceful art of Equitation_.

Morning Chronicle.

In bringing under notice a new book, practical and highly amusing, upon the n.o.ble Art of Horsemanship, which has emanated from the pen of a well-known and accomplished professor thereof, we have pleasure in stating the reader will find in these pages excellent practical hints and sound suggestions on the art of riding well; and, in the manner of training and treating horses we sincerely concur with, and we honour and respect Mr. Waite, when he so forcibly inculcates kindness and gentleness, though combined with firmness, as essentials in the education and treatment of the horse; hardships, cruelty, and neglect he strongly deprecates.

The instructions in the proper seat and carriage on horseback, the management of the whip and rein, are minutely explained, and of the greatest utility. He is particularly attentive to the ladies, and admitting the power they lose by their peculiar seat, he gives the best recommendations for remedying the evil, as far as possible, by securing an exactly central fix upon the saddle, the best form of which he learnedly discusses. Speaking seriously, all fair riders ought, for their own sake, to profit by his advice, the result of long experience.

Sunday Times.

Mr. Waite, an _experienced professor_ of the art, has given us a hand-book, _in which_ will be found a great variety of instruction, by which the equestrian will receive such directions for the management of his horse, under a variety of circ.u.mstances, as must prove of _great value_ to him.

Observer.

This work is _evidently_ the production of one who has acquired a _thorough_ acquaintance with the subject, and who, moreover, possesses the _rare advantage_ of communicating his instructions in a manner peculiarly _ample_ and _clear_. We have seen _no_ other work in which such a variety of information on the subject is embraced. The advice to ladies is most valuable.

MR. S. C. WAITE,

AUTHOR OF "THE EQUESTRIAN'S MANUAL,"

(_Dedicated to H.R.H. Prince Albert,_)

With advice to purchasers of Horses, &c., and Originator of the Improved Military Seat (obviating ruptures), and positions for Ladies and Gentlemen on Horseback.--(Vide _Opinions of the Press, April, 1850._)

Mr. Waite has been requested by a numerous circle of personal friends to submit to the notice of the public an ointment, proved to be invaluable to the owners of racing and hunting establishments, breeders, farmers, &c., for restoring hair on broken knees, and where it has been lost, through accidents, disease, blistering, firing, &c., &c.; it is likewise available for dogs in reproducing hair, bare from mange, scalds, burns, and abrasions.

Mr. Waite obtained the above valuable recipe from the late celebrated and eccentric character, Patrick Jones, of Dublin, familiarly known in military and sporting circles, and throughout the kingdom, as "Old Paddy," who, after an unfailing success in its use, in all parts of the world (where called by his military duties), for a period verging on eighty years (and by him obtained from his father), on his death-bed, in 1853, confided the secret to the present proprietor.

To be had in pots at 3_s._, 5_s._, 8_s._, and 17_s._ 6_d._, and in 8lb.

canisters for hounds after mange, &c., &c., at 4. 4_s._

TESTIMONIALS.

_From_ DR. BUNTING, _the great American Horse Tamer and Breaker_.

2, ONSLOW TERRACE, BROMPTON, _May 22nd, 1859._

SIR,--I beg to certify that I have used your "Old Paddy Jones's Ointment" for restoring hair on horses and dogs, in _numerous_ cases of valuable horses, and in _no instance_ has it failed in its efficacy, and I consider it to be invaluable to every establishment where horses and dogs are kept. In future, I shall never be without it. Wishing you every success,

Believe me to be truly yours, J. G. BUNTING.

S. C. WAITE, Esq., _Brompton._

PATENT AMERICAN BREAK OFFICE, MASON'S RIDING SCHOOL, BROMPTON, _July 7th, 1859._

SIR,--Having used your "Old Paddy Jones's Ointment" for restoring the hair on horses and dogs, I have great pleasure in testifying to its _good_ qualities in all the cases I have had in hand, and think it will be a _great boon_ to all keeping either a horse or dog.