28 HORSE-BACK' RIDING, 



oscillations from before backwards, and the reverse, 

 corresponding to the raising and falling motion of the 

 horse. 



The other gaits which a horse may be taught to 

 take, or the precautions which may be necessary to 

 avoid them, cause a number of special movements, into 

 the details of which we cannot enter. 



Every horse does not communicate absolutely the 

 same movement, but the differences are entirely in- 

 dividual, and it was long since settled that certain 

 varieties are particularly adapted to the saddle ; and, 

 lastly, the nature of the ground modifies the move- 

 ment communicated, as, for example, a pavement, or 

 extremely hard road, returns the whole force of the 

 shock, while a softer and more elastic surface greatly 

 lessens it, and on heavy ground the greater effort 

 necessary on the part of the horse soon fatigues both 

 him and his rider. 



Now that we have explained the horse and his 

 gaits, and the causes which may modify them, that 

 we know, in a word, the movements which are com- 

 municated by him, let us see what active part the 

 rider takes in horse-back riding. 



As long as the horse remains motionless the rider 

 has no movements to make which are peculiar to horse- 

 back riding that we need to discuss here, but as soon 

 as he moves the active role commences. The im- 

 pulse received from the movement of the animal dis- 

 turbs and changes his centre of gravity ; he then 



