60 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



be at a convenient distance from the body when the horse is 

 collected, they would be at a very inconvenient distance 

 when he is extended. 



A side-saddle should have no right-hand pummel. It is 

 useless to the seat, and impedes the working of the right 

 hand. The appearance when mounted is infinitely improved 

 by the absence of it. It should have what is called a third 

 pummel, or leaping horn. In case of any unusual motion 

 of the horse, such as leaping, an ebullition of gaiety, or vio- 

 lence from any other cause, by pressing upwards with the 

 front part above the left knee, and downwards with the back 

 part above the right knee, a wonderfully strong grasp is ob- 

 tained, much stronger than the grasp obtained by the mode 

 in which men ride. This will be quite clear to you, if, when 

 sitting in your chair, you press your two knees together, and 

 afterwards, by crossing them over, press them, one down 

 and the other up. Besides this, when a man clasps his horse, 

 however firmly it fixes the clasping parts, it has a tendency 



