THE PRIMER. 23 



begun, be maintained, or be stopped properly with- 

 out the aid of the heels. For the first two, the 

 impulses from the hind-quarters must be demanded ; 

 and to bring the horse to a halt the forces of the 

 croup must be held ready to balance the forces of the 

 forehand, as the latter are carried back by the hand, 

 or the horse may go to the rear instead of simply 

 coming to a stop. Whenever the hand acts in 

 any way, the horse must be prepared by the riders 

 legs for the effects of the bit. These things will be 

 further explained as we treat the various paces 

 and movements. 



Note. — Referring to the paragraphs in this chapter regard- 

 ing the seat, I wish to call the attention of the reader 

 to the importance of acquiring a position upon the 

 horse that shall be strong through its ease and the 

 pliancy of his body ; for no matter how firmly he grasps 

 the horse between his thighs, his seat will not be secure 

 if there be any rigidity in any part. The practice of 

 riding without stirrups should not be carried too far, 

 lest the rider find the stirrups a constraint when he 

 resumes them. After the rider has a fairly good seat 

 he should practise riding without reins, in the walk, 

 in the trot, and in the gallop, laying the knotted reins 

 upon the neck of the horse, so that they may be used 

 when necessary to control or to direct the animal ; for 

 until the rider has a seat that is quite independent of 

 any support from the reins he is a very bad horseman. 



