FIRST RIDING LESSONS 19 



difference in the working of the spring, and much 

 will depend on the position of the weight. These 

 are, however, some of the more intricate points 

 of the riding art which the beginner need not 

 trouble himself with ; but I want you to appre- 

 ciate the fact that sticking to the saddle and 

 riding over a fence does not constitute a hrst- 

 class horseman. 



The boy who is learning to ride must above all 

 things avoid getting into some bad trick or habit, 

 as once such is acquired it is very difhcult to 

 throw off. He must cultivate a quiet neatness in 

 dress, and there must be nothing in his whole 

 manner or bearing to draw attention to him. A 

 very ugly trick, which some men and many women 

 have, is resting the hand on the hip and sticking 

 out the elbow. Sit straight up in your saddle, don't 

 round your shoulders, and keep your hands as low 

 as you can get them, with your elbows close to your 

 side. The legs should hang straight from the knee, 

 and the heels slightly down. The body, above the 

 waist, should bend freely and easily with every move- 

 ment of the horse, while, below the waist, it should 

 be firm and immovable. This is, I think, the whole 

 secret of riding, and embodies the principle of it in 

 a nutshell. Allow me therefore to repeat — be pliant 

 in your body and stiff in your legs. 



In riding at a fence, lean forward as your horse 

 rises and lean back as he lands ; but this will come 

 more naturally to you after a time. At the moment 

 of landing your weight should be as far back as 



