10 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



the position which it gives to the hands and legs is 

 that which permits them to act Avith the greatest 

 promptitude, a jjropos, intensity, and fineness. 



Certain exercises supple the joints, bring about 

 an improvement of physical defects, and overcome 

 the contractions which arise therefrom. This general 

 suj^pleness having been acquired, the instructor should 

 devote his attention to placing the rider, then to 

 fixing his position in all the paces, on varying types 

 of horses, and on different kinds of ground. 



When the instructor commences to occupy himself 

 with the man's position, he takes advantage of the 

 first ride at the walk to place individually every man, 

 before starting the trot. Immediately the positions 

 cease to be correct, the horses should be brought 

 back to the walk, the men put back into position, 

 and the trot restarted : from this method arises the 

 necessity of at first having short but frequent trots. 

 It is by proceeding thus that a good seat is obtained. 



Firmness of seat is the absence of all involuntary 

 or useless movements, and the reduction to what 

 is strictly necessary of those which are indispensable. 

 It allows the aids to be applied with precision and 

 lightness, and consequently brings steadiness to the 

 horse, while contributing to his lightness. 



It must be quite understood that regularity of 

 position must give way to the necessity of adapting 

 oneself to the horse's movements. 



To be with the horse is the first of all qualities 

 of a horseman, and to be well placed, as a general 

 rule, leads to the rider becoming one with the horse. 



The good position of the rider depends principally 

 on the direction in which he looks and how he places 

 his hands, his thighs, and his knees. 



