30 PIORSEMANSHIP. 



hands must be kept well raised to lift it into a proper 

 position, which is eftected only hy perpetual and gentle 

 feeling. 



The position of the body and legs of the rider must 

 be precisely the same without the use of stirrups as 

 with them ; the toes being well raised, and the feet 

 parallel to the body of the horse.* If the toes be 

 pointed outwards, there will be danger of irritation 

 from the spurs, upon every emergency requiring the 

 full grasp of the legs of the rider. The toes of the 

 horseman pointing outwards, have an unsightly and 

 untrained appearance. 



To feel the horse in a straightforward movement, 

 both the hands must have an equal bearing upon 

 the mouth, by gently turning up the little fingers 

 inwardly towards the breast, together with the simul- 

 taneous pressures of both legs. As the pupil and the 

 horse progress, the rider will find that these movements 

 of the hand are made almost instinctively. At the 

 commencement of the lessons the hands may be seen 

 to move in every direction that is indicated, but 



* This can only be attained by the strictest and most constant atten- 

 tion, in consequence of the natural tendency of the toes to droop when 

 unsupported by the stirrups. 



