THE SEAT." 119 



neck of an impetuous horse, that " throws his head 

 about." 



Position of the Hands.- Whether one or both hands 

 be used, it or they should be allowed to fall loosely 

 from the wrist, with the line of the knuckles forming 

 an angle of about forty -five degrees with the ground. 

 When only one hand is employed, it should work, as 

 nearly as possible, directly over the withers. When 

 both hands are used, they should be kept six or seven 

 inches apart, one on each side of the withers. In all 

 cases except, at a finish in a race, or when a horse 

 bucks, kicks, or gets his head too low the hands 

 should be kept down. The reins should never be let 

 loose. 



The Seat. When " sitting down " at the gallop, or 

 canter, or over fences, the rider should get his seat under 

 him, as much as possible, should force his fork well down 

 into the saddle, with the hollow, and not the back of the 

 thighs, against the laps. The knees should be well 

 forward ; the legs, from the knee down, should be vertical, 

 or, if anything, somewhat drawn back ; while the feet 

 should be parallel to the sides of the horse, with the heels 

 slightly depressed. The feet, except when spurs are 

 used, should be kept quite steady, and should on no ac- 

 count be allowed to work backwards or forwards. The 

 rider will then be in the best position in which to con- 

 form to the movements of his animal, and in the most 

 difficult one from which to be dislodged. The shoulders 

 should be kept square to the front, and down. The 

 body and head erect, and the loins braced up, but with- 

 out any approach to stiffness in the attitude. 



