Knee and Thigh Grip 63 



kept firm on the saddle, and no assistance derived 

 from the lower part of the leg. 



6. Relaxing and tightening the knee and thigh 

 grip. 



The first four exercises make the body supple 

 from the hips; 3 and 4, which are taken out of the 

 British Cavalry Training Manual, make excellent 

 balancing exercises at a trot and canter when the 

 pupil's instruction in riding is some way advanced, 

 and No. 5 is a modification of an exercise recom- 

 mended by Baucher. I have given them a long and 

 thorough trial, and am convinced of their great 

 value; the beginner who has not undergone them 

 and is allowed to ride with reins will always raise 

 himself out of the saddle when rising at the trot 

 by pulling on the reins, instead of by using his knee. 



The reader who wishes to teach a child to ride 

 may or may not decide to follow this procedure, hav- 

 ing plenty of time at his disposal : I can only say 

 that I have tried it with youths of between thirteen 

 and fifteen years of age with the most excellent re- 

 sults, and that it would seem obviously safer with 

 very young children to lessen the risk of danger- 

 ous falls, which must frequently occur where, as is 



