8 HOW TO RIDE 



necessary for preserving the perpen- 

 dicular application of the weight, and for 

 keeping the balance. The strongest hold 

 upon the saddle possible is with the in- 

 side of the thighs. 



There should be no pressure upon the 

 stirrups ; for this would relieve the weight, 

 disturb the balance, and force the grip 

 of the thio;hs. It is no arg;ument in 

 favour of riding upon the stirrups, that 

 the horsemen of the East carry their 

 knees up to the pommel of the saddle, 

 for the Mexicans, who are better riders, 

 extend the leoj to its full leno-th. It is 

 in spite of bad systems that these peoples 

 who live on horseback become skilful in 

 the manacrement of their steeds. Because 

 a circus performer standing upon one leg 

 keeps his horse under circumstances that 



