ELEMENTARY IIOUSKMANSIIIP 7 



mid iinimution, which induce confidence promi)tly 

 and delinitely. To these one should add comphments, 

 which develop self-respect, and in time self-reliance — 

 powerful assistants in getting the best out of a horse. 



As soon as a measure of confidence has been 

 obtained, the pupil should be shown the best means 

 to employ to keep himself in the saddle, i.e. by the 

 seat and by the stirrups. 



(a) The seat. — The seat is the quality which 

 enables the rider to remain master of his balance 

 under every circumstance, no matter what reactions 

 the horse may cause. 



It is the principal quality to attain because it is 

 the foundation of all good horsemanship, giving full 

 confidence and the assurance of good hands, without 

 which neither the control nor the training of the 

 horse are possible. The seat is the result of a general 

 decontraction, and in particular the suppleness of 

 the loins. It is prepared by carefully thought-out 

 exercises of the joints, and is acquired on the lunging 

 rein, by trottmg and galloping without stirrups, and 

 also by the number and varying characteristics of the 

 horses ridden. This alone will make a man one with 

 his horse, but a great amount of practice is necessary, 

 and care should be taken not to overdo the exercise 

 and produce loss of skin and undue fatigue. 



(b) The stirrups. — To rapidly give confidence to 

 young horsemen, recourse must be made to another 

 means of helping to keep them in the right place in 

 the saddle, viz. by the use of the stirrups, which 

 enable the learners to remain longer on horseback, 

 and to proceed with their education without abrasions, 

 and without hurt to the horse's mouth. 



The trot without stirrups should be confined to 



