38 now TO RIDE. 



next be shown how to take a rein in each hand, and be placed in the saddle. 

 In taking the reins they should be through the full of the hand and over the 

 forefinger, with the thumb closed firmly on the top, and the little finger 

 should be outside the rein. 



The pupil should sit in the middle of the saddle, with the body upright 

 but easy ; the head raised, and the weight of the upper part of the body 

 over the hips ; the shoulders square, and thrown back ; the small part of 

 the back slightly bent forward; the elbows under tlie shoulders, and to 

 touch the hips lightly. The hands should be in front of the elbows, which 

 will bring them about six inches apart, and the wrist very slightly rounded 

 outwards, the little finger about as high as the elbow and under the hand, 

 the thumb on the top and close on the rein. The flat side of the thigh and 

 inside of the knee should be placed to the saddle, but not screwed round so 

 as to take all the power out of the leg. (A great deal here depends on the 

 shape of the leg. A man with a round thigh and large knee finds it more 

 difficult to do this than one with a thin, flat thigh and small knee, and allow- 

 ance must be made accordingly.) The lower part of the legs should be 

 close to the sides of the horse, and. the heels down. 



The stirrup may now be fitted, and in doing this the bar of the stirrup 

 should reach about three inches above the upper edge of the heel of the 

 boot ; the feet are then to be placed in the stirrups as far as the ball of 

 the foot, care being taken in doing this not to get the knees forced too 

 much up. 



The sketch No. 3, " the proper seat," shows the square seat, the upright 

 carriage, the fall of the legs, and position of the toes. A firm seat can be 

 attained by practice and close attention to the style of the rider here 

 depicted. 



After feeling confidence, it is well to acquire flexibility of body above 

 the hips, while the lower parts — hip to knee — are left firmly attached to 

 the horse, learning, while still riding first slowly, then fast, to lean back 

 and touch the horse with the shoulders, to bend down, put on, and take off 

 either stirrup ; in trotting to lose a stirrup and regain it without bending ; 

 to let the stirrups up or down while walking; all of which v/ill render the 

 seat firm, and give the rider confidence. 



If a horse is ridden with a loose rein and careless leg, he can turn round 

 to one side before he can be stopped, and if he is tired he ma}^ overbalance 



