THE PRIMER. ^9 



upper parts of the body and the lower parts of the 

 legs are free, and ready to maintain the balance and 

 to employ the aids. Under no circumstances should 

 this seat be changed ; when it becomes necessary 

 to shift the weights, and to lighten either side of the 

 horse, it will be accomplished by a very slight turn 

 of the upper part of the body, and an effort of 

 muscular action that will throw the weight to one 

 side or the other without the grasp of the knees 

 being relaxed. In ordinary paces on straight lines 

 the body should be held upright, but in turning and 

 in violent motions of the horse the upper part of 

 the body must change its position to secure the 

 equilibrium; when the forehand rises, the body 

 should be bent forward; when the croup rises the 

 body should be bent backward; in turning to 

 either hand the shoulder of that side should be 

 retired, and the body be carried towards the 

 centre of the turn, the extent of these motions 

 depending upon the speed and shortness of the 



turns. 



I do not think that riding without a saddle is of 

 any great benefit to the pupil ; but after one has 

 acquired some stability in the saddle with the 

 stirrups, it certainly is of advantage to dispense 

 with the stirrups for a time, as such exercise will 

 tend to give ease and grace to the rider, and will 



