IV 



KNEE AND THIGH GRIP 



" When fastened like glue to the saddle 

 We gallop astern of the pack." 



Tarporley Hunting Song, 1855. 



^TT^HE man who has never been on a horse prob- 

 ably has very little development of the partic- 

 ular muscles used in riding ; and however strong- he 

 may be naturally, he cannot have much confidence in 

 himself when asked to apply them for the first time 

 on an animal he most likely regards with awe. Two 

 sets of muscles, the flexor at the groin, which keeps 

 the knee up, and the adductor grip muscles, have to 

 be developed before a satisfactory seat can be at- 

 tained. The process by which this may be done is a 

 branch of the art of training athletes which does not 

 always receive the attention it deserves. Before a 

 man learns to drive four horses it is necessary that 

 he should strengthen the muscles of his shoulders, 

 arms, and fingers by manipulating dummy reins with 



weights attached to them, if quick results are to be 



59 



