Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 113 



thighs, knees, and calves retain their adherence. The 

 reins are separated as has been said in the school of the 

 trooper. 



The hands should be held low, bearing against the base 

 of the neck, so as to be more steady and to give the horse 

 a more stable and constant bearing. 



The rider is taught to gradually increase the speed up 

 to the full run, then to make the gait die out while always 

 preserving contact with the mouth and keeping the horse 

 straight. These exercises, including the increase and de- 

 crease of gait, should not exceed from 700 to 900 yards. 

 One must be very careful to regulate the work according 

 to the age and race of the horses. The periods at the 

 walk should be as much more prolonged as the gallop has 

 been more rapid and long. 



Advantage should be taken of this work to teach the 

 rider to judge and regulate the speed of his horse, to use, 

 report, and reason on all that goes about him; in other 

 words, to acquire the head, sang-froid, quick sight, and 

 judgment indispensible in war and which the trooper 

 should preserve even at speed. 



Cross country and over obstacles. — Principles of equita- 

 tion find their application across country and in jumping. 

 The qualities of boldness, seat, steadiness, suppleness, re- 

 spect for the horse's mouth, and the observation of the 

 laws of balance, which have been constantly mentioned in 

 the education of man and horse, here play a considerable 

 part. 



Boldness in jumping is the first requisite of the out-of- 

 door rider; it is rapidly communicated to the horse and be- 

 comes the best guaranty of his freedom. If the rider is not 

 keen, the horse will perceive it and become apprehensive. 

 Seat, which is the close, gentle contact of the buttocks 

 and thighs with the horse, assures a good hand, gives the 

 rider use of his legs, which more than ever control impul- 

 sion, and allow him, in case of a serious mistake, to avoid 

 a fall by slipping down deep into his saddle. 



The seat is independent of the head and shoulders; the 

 rider may have his body slightly forward and be well seat- 

 ed as he may carry it to the rear and not be well seated. 

 Steadiness, which has been defined in equitation as the 

 absence of all involuntary or useless movement, here for- 

 bids any exaggerated projection of the body forward or to 



