FOR PEACE AND WAR. 149 



of gravity at the same time, and, consequently, one uniform posi- 

 tion keeps the body of the rider over both, as each in succession 

 becomes the point of support. 



This seat once attained by practice, the rider will himself be in 

 balance, no matter where the saddle may be placed, for the seat 

 will always be under the shoulder, and the stirrups under the 

 seat. 



But the tyro must not expect that the ordinary announcements 

 of "riding taught in six lessons" will ever accomplish anything 

 for him beyond the creation of a conviction that at the expiration 

 of his half-dozen experiences he has just learned enough to con- 

 vince that he knows nothing but of the most rudimental character. 

 Six months' careful attendance with such a man as "Fred Allen," 

 would, no doubt, suffice to turn out a " finished horseman." 



To complete the equilibrium of horse and rider, it will be 

 necessary to regulate the position of the saddle, so that when the 

 rider occupies his seat, the additional weight may either coincide 

 with the centre of gravity of the horse (which would be perfection 

 of balance), or, where that is possible, that it may, at all events, 

 lie within the limits of such action as the animal has been trained 

 to. 



Then the complete balance is established ; the horse moves with 

 the same freedom as in his native pastures, the only difference 

 being that his weight has been increased by the imposition of a 

 load, which his habitual action is competent to sustain and propel, 

 and which he finds precisely where custom has brought his limbs 

 to expect it; while the load itself — neither lying a dull weight, 

 like an inanimate burthen, nor jerking backward and forward, like 

 an unskilful horseman — accommodates itself by an easy and spon- 

 taneous movement to every motion of the horse, aff'ording at the 

 same time support, guidance, and encouragement ; in a word, 

 endowing the energies of the brute with a portion, as it were, of 

 the rider's reason. 



If the seat so gained were found inferior to other more easily 

 attained postures, in any of the requisites for perfect horseman- 

 ship ; if in that position, for instance, the hand of the rider were 



