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alteration in the rider's position ; but "as the circles are contracted, and 

 the pace extended, it will become necessary, not only for the rider's 

 bpdy to lean with the Horse, but likewise to bend, or turn in the same 

 direction as the Horse's head, Avhich of course will be bent a little within 

 the circle: this may be called the first variation. It is necessary to 

 work back to the right and left, and without stirrups, until a true equi- 

 librehe acquired independent of their aid. 



When the stirrups are first used, they will be found an incumbrance, 

 rather than any assistance, and a new difficulty will occur, namely, the 

 keeping the feet in them. This will be surmounted by practice, ob- 

 serving to bear no more than the weight of the foot in the stirrup, which 

 must be placed under the ball of the foot, and the play of the instep to 

 the action which the body receives, will keep the stirrup there. Until this 

 play of the instep be acquired, it will be found, if the toe be too for- 

 ward, the stirrup will fall to the instep, and if too backward, the stirrup 

 will be lost ; but the foot being in its proper place, should the toe be 

 raised, the stirrup will not immediately slip. 



No assistance ought to be derived fi"om the reins, in order to support 

 the balance. The hand must be fixed, and the reins of such a length, 

 as to feel and support the Horse, but never to support the rider in his 

 seat. A peak saddle is proper to begin with, and for the commence- 

 ment of every new lesson. By patience and perseverance, the true 

 balance on horseback is acquired, and then, firm nerves assure a firm 

 seat. 



The HAND. If the hand be held steady, as the Horse advances in the 

 trot, the fingers will feel, by the contraction and dilatation of the reins, 

 a small sensation or tug, occasioned by the measure or cadence of every 

 step. This, which is reciprocally felt in the Horse's mouth, by means 

 of the CORRESPONDENCE, is called the cippiti ; and while the oppui is 

 preserved between the hand and mouth, the Horse is in perfect obedience 

 to the rider, the hand directing him with the greatest ease, so ttiat the 

 Horse seems to work by the will of the rider, rather than the compulsion 

 of the hand. The hand thus possesses a considerable power, indepen- 

 dent of other aids and assistances, more than sutiicitni to coutroul and 

 direct a Horse that is broke or obedient. 



The 



