196 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



exert. Never ride in a slovenly style ; it is 

 far easier to acquire a bad habit than to get rid 

 of it. 



The whole question of seat is so well eluci- 

 dated by Charles Thompson that I may perhaps 

 be pardoned if, following the example of John 

 Lawrence and others, I quote him m extenso on 

 the subject : — 



'* Advancing the lower part of the body, and 

 bending back the upper part and shoulders, is the 

 only true method of keeping the seat as it is to 

 recover it when lost. In taking the flying leap, 

 this bending of the body, and that in a great 

 degree, is a great securit}^ for going over safe, 

 as it is in the standing leap. The horse's rising 

 does not try the rider's seat, but the lashing out 

 of his hind legs is what ought to be chiefly 

 guarded against ; and this is best done by the 

 body being greatly inclined backward. In this 

 endeavour to counteract his unruly efforts, do 

 not stiffen the legs or thighs, but let the body be 

 pliable at the loins, like unto the coachman's on 

 his box. This loose manner of sitting such 

 a horse, will elude his every adverse motion, 

 however roughly put in force ; whereas, the 

 fixture of the knees against his sides, that 

 manoeuvre which mistaken people commonly 

 lay great stress on, will, in great shocks, onty 

 conduce to the certainty and violence of the fall. 



''By way of illustrating this last point— were 

 the cricket player, when he would catch the ball 



