SEAT 187 



gaits, but journe5^s must then be broken with 

 days for rest. 



Hills. Trotting or running a horse down 

 hill is a matter for high-powered animals. 

 With ordinar}^ horses the down slopes must be 

 reserved for walking, the level and upward 

 slopes for trotting. The longer and steeper 

 hills involve walking, but even in them there 

 are dips and levels which permit one to vary 

 the pace, nursing the horse through the march 

 in the least possible number of hours. It is 

 the flagging, not the brisk day's work, which 

 causes most fatigue. 



Seat. I have seen horses prosper under all 

 the different and possible methods of decent 

 horsemen, and do not believe that form makes 

 any difference. From the Red Indians of the 

 plains I learned to sit skin tight and upright 

 at the trot and canter. 



Having no voice to boast of, I test my seat 

 at the various gaits by singing, and if there is 

 any sign of quivering in the notes, look well to 

 my grip and balance, lest I jar the horse. His 

 ears express horror, but his kidneys seem at 

 peace ; and I have usually fattened thin 

 horses on my journeys. The skin-tight seat 

 is that which is practised and recommended 

 by all range horsemen. 



