SADDLE HORSES 155 



In the saddle and holding the reins, until it Is plain 

 that the horse is reconciled to the situation.^ 



Some horses are all right from the start, but others 

 should be led around for several days before they can 

 safely be left to the guidance and control of the rider. 



A man can learn to ride, and to ride well, without 

 any instruction; but the self-taught rider may fall into 

 bad habits without knowing it. Much can be learned 

 by observing the position on horseback of a good rider, 

 or even by looking at the picture of one. The Greek 

 riders shown on the frieze of the Parthenon, photo- 

 graphs of which abound, are models in this respect — 

 as much so today as they were when the sculptor carved 

 them, some 2,000 years ago. The Greeks had no sad- 

 dles, and needed a good seat. 



To ride properly, a man must sit well down In the 

 saddle, cling with his knees, and abstain absolutely 

 from holding on by the reins. Below the waist his 

 position should be firm and fixed; above the waist his 

 body should be flexible, moving as the horse moves. 

 The toes should be turned almost straight forward, 

 and in that position, if the horse makes any sudden 

 plunge, or other movement, the rider instinctively 

 tightens the grip of his knees, and remains in the saddle, 

 Instead of being thrown out of it. A man who rides 

 with his toes turned outward never has a safe seat. 

 It is almost as bad to lean forward over the pommel 



1 The writer confesses that, shortly after this paragraph was written, 

 he did exactly what he here advises should not be done, and, in conse- 

 quence, was thrown from the top of a bank into the bottom of a ditch — 

 but without serious injury. 



