54 PARK RIDING. 



legs should only be used as an assistance to the 

 balance. When a rider can see his foot, he is 

 sitting wrong, because the knee ought to prevent 

 the foot being seen in the united seat. 



To ride united you must sit on the fork or 

 twist, the thigh from fork to knee maintaining a 

 firm hold by the action of the muscles and pre- 

 serving your balance, and the leg and foot being 

 reserved only as aids. The strength of the thigh 

 is most exerted when turned inwards, and kept 

 smooth to the saddle. The knee straight down 

 and kept back. The body must preserve an 

 upright position, but the back a little hollow and 

 shoulders inclining backwards. The chest should 

 be kept open and the head in some degree 

 advanced. The rider's face should point directly 

 between the horse's ears as he moves. 



Avoid the appearance of sitting stiffly, and 

 endeavour to sit free and easy ; stiffness or 

 formality detracts from ease and comfort. You 

 will find that the closer you press the muscles of 

 the thigh the more you will lift yourself out of 



