HORSE MA NSHIP. 



to the sides of the horse, with the heels sHghtly de- 

 pressed. The legs should be kept close to the horse's 

 sides, so that a certain amount of grip may be obtained 

 by the calves of the rider's legs. Many men from being 

 told to grip with their knees, endeavour to do so, while, 

 at the same time, they stick their feet, as far as possible, 

 away from the horse's sides. The foot should be neither 

 turned away from, or brought close to, the horse's side, 

 but should be kept in the same perpendicular plane as 

 the knee. If this be not done, it will be impossible to 

 ride by balance. The feet, except when spurs are used, 

 ought to be kept quite steady, and on no account 

 be allowed to work backwards and forwards. The 

 shoulders should be kept square to. the front, and 

 " down " ; the body and head erect, and the loins braced 

 up, but without any approach to stiffness in the attitude. 

 The rider will then be in the best position in which to 

 conform to the movements of his animal, and in the 

 most difficult one from which to be dislodged. The 

 muscles of the hands, arms, and shoulders should be 

 free from all stiffness, so that the rider may give and 

 take with every movement of the horse's head and 

 neck, while the elbows should work close to the sides. 

 The act of sticking out the elbows is not alone un- 



