HORSEMANSHIP. 43 



without precipitation, and without touching 

 the horse, either with the point of the left 

 foot, or the leg of the right. 



After having let go the mane, and seated 

 yourself on the saddle, you must pass the 

 whip in the right hand above the chest of the 

 horse ; take the end of the reins with the 

 same hand, to equalize them, and to adjust 

 them in the left, holding them separated by 

 the little finger, and letting the button fall 

 upon the right shoulder of the horse; fold 

 the end of your fingers in the hollow of your 

 hand, the nails above, and extend the thumb 

 upon the reins to make them secure ; in fine, 

 to strengthen you on the seat, your waist and 

 buttocks removed from the back bow, the 

 reins folded and firm, without stiffness. 



A beautiful posture, giving the rider no less 

 advantage to govern his horse, than grace, is 

 the first quality which a scholar ought to 

 endeavour to acquire. 



Grace does not consist in sitting on a horse 

 immoveable, as fixed and as stiff as a piquet, 

 nor in affecting a studied attitude, but to know 

 well how to yield, or to resist, in proper time, 

 the different movements of the horse : to pre- 

 serve the equilibrium and perpendicular posi- 



