CHAPTER IV 



THE RIDER'S SEAT 



Before g'oing farther it is necessary to discuss 

 the rider's seat. For the man who hopes to 

 make young horses successfully there are two 

 considerations affecting the seat over a fence. 



1. Assistance to the horse, and 



2. The rider's own balance. 



Let us try to picture a good horseman putting 

 a young horse over a fence at a canter. 

 Most young horses require to be steadied on 

 coming up to a fence. 



Our rider will bring him up at a collected 

 canter ; by not allowing the horse to extend 

 himself now he just keeps him back on his 

 hocks. Two to three lengths from the fence 

 the rider lowers his hands, giving the horse a 

 freer rein but of course keeping contact with 

 his mouth. This enables the horse to slightly 

 lower his head the more easily to judge his 

 distance and, if necessary, lengthen his stride- 

 He gives the horse the so-called office t:) jump in 

 accordance with its temperament. Experience 



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