HOW TO RIDE. 



The most proper recreation of studious, sedentary persons lohose labor is thought, 

 is horseback exercise. — John Locke. 



PART I. — INTRODUCTION. 



There is no lack of books in which very full and particular descriptions 

 of model seats on horseback may be found, nor of riding-masters who both 

 know how to sit a horse themselves and impart to their pupils their own 

 particular method. But this will not answer the purpose, for there exists 

 not only a certain number of typical seats, more or less suited to various 

 ends, as racing, hunting, the cavalry service, etc., all of which have their 

 peculiar justification, but there is also a great variety in the build of 

 horses, and especially in the relative power of their fore and hind quarters, 

 which demands consideration, if we would avoid the serious and but too 

 common error of using up one set of members prematurely whilst leaving 

 the others intact. For instance, nothing is more frequent than to see 

 horses, otherwise perfectly sound, irreparably ruined in the fore legs. 



Moreover, there exists an equal variety in the build of the riders, which 

 also requires consideration. A man of heavy weight cannot be expected to 

 sit his horse as a man of lighter build, nor a well " split up " man like one 

 long above the hips and short below ; nevertheless, there is no reason why 

 each and all of them should not sit well and judiciously, though their seats 

 must be necessarily different. 



The aim of this little treatise is, therefore, by appealing to the intelli- 

 gence, common-sense, and good feeling of all riding men, to enable each to 

 discover for himself what best suits his own peculiar case, and will put him 

 in a position to make the best and the most of every horse he may have to 

 ride, in the safest manner, and it will also afford an opportunity of pointing 



