RIDING AND HUNTING. 115 



unbecoming to any man not riding in a military saddle, not to 

 speak of the discomfort it must occasion the horse when a 

 man sits in such an uncomfortable and constrained position. 



It is unnecessary to attempt to describe the means by 

 which a man must give himself a firm seat, while the horse is 

 plunging and jumping, as such knowledge can only be acquired 

 by constant practice and experience, which will teach the rider 

 that a firm grip with the knees is the best means of sticking 

 on, and leaning backwards or forwards as circumstances may 

 require. The management of the reins under similar circum- 

 stances depends on a man's hands for doing the right thing at 

 the right moment, and practice alone can give hands and teach 

 the rider how to manage a restive horse. 



The elbows should be kept almost close to the sides, and 

 the hands under ordinary circumstances should be from six to 

 eight inches from the body, but they should never be stifi* or 

 held in any fixed position, but yielding, and ready to give and 

 take to every movement of the horse's head. 



In trotting off to cover there is nothing out of the usual 

 to observe, but in the run more attention is demanded. We 

 will, however, at this period confine ourselves strictly to the 

 riding part of the performance. 



No fixed rule can be laid down as to the style of seat a 

 man riding across country should adopt, as so many men who 

 probably go equally well ride differently ; but it is essential 

 that a few rules should always be observed, and amongst these 

 are — 



1st. A good firm seat, maintained by sitting well down in 

 the saddle, with the knees in such a position that they are ever 

 ready for instantaneous grip, whenever occasion requires. 

 Most men incline well forward, standing in the stirrups with 

 their knees pressed tight to the saddle when the horse is gallop- 

 ing, giving and taking at the horse's mouth according to the 

 kind of mouth their steed possesses. Without the ability to 

 I 2 



