POSITION IN TROTTING. 19 



but must sit well down in his seat — the whole of the 

 bodj springing from the elasticity of the ankle, together 

 with the flexibility of the knees. The balls of the feet 

 must bear lightly upon the stirrups, and the legs must 

 not cling with tenacity to the sides of the horse. The 

 rider must learn to find his balance, so that he may be 

 perfectly independent of the extraneous support deri- 

 vable from the stirrups and the bridle. Until this is 

 attained, he will not exhibit grace and ease in riding. 

 In rising in the stirrups in the trot, the action must be 

 an easy motion — gently rising and falling with the pace 

 of the horse by the elastic spring of the insteps and 

 knees at the same time, taking care that the feet and 

 legs are not thrown either backward or forward. The 

 body must remain perfectly upright, as in the walk, 

 with the small of the back well drawn in. 



In inclining to the right and left, in turning to the 

 right and left, and in turning to the right and left 

 about, the bearings and pressures are precisely similar 

 to those which are used in the walk, but in a more 

 intense degree. In turning to the right and left about, 

 the horse must be brought to the momentary halt be- 

 fore the turn be commenced ; otherwise he will describe 

 a large circle before he has completed the movement. 



