22 NEAV METHOD OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



hand near the shoulder, and this flexion will be contin- 

 ued to the full extent of the arm. The chest should not 

 be affected by this exercise, but be kept steady in the 

 same position. 



Of the knees. — The strength of pressure of the knees 

 will be judged of, and even obtained, by the aid of the 

 following method : this, which at first sight will perhaps 

 appear of slight importance, will, nevertheless, bring 

 about great results. The instructor will take a narrow 

 piece of leather about twenty inches long ; he will place 

 one end of this strap between the pupil's knee and the 

 side of the saddle. The pupil will make use of the force 

 of his knees to prevent its slipping, while the instructor 

 will draw it towards him slowly and progressively. 

 This process will serve as a dynamometer to judge of the 

 increase of power. 



The strictest watch must be kept that each force 

 which acts separately does not put other forces in action ; 

 that is to say, that the movement of the arms does not 

 influence the shoulders; it should be the same with the 

 thighs, with respect to the body ; the legs, with respect 

 to the thighs, etc., etc. The displacement and suppling 

 of each part separately, being obtained, the chest and 

 seat will be temporarily displaced, in order to teach the 

 rider to recover his proper position without assistance. 

 This will be done as follows : the instructor being placed 

 on one side, will push the pupil's hip, so that his seat will 

 be moved out of the seat of the saddle. The instructor 

 will then allow him to get back into the saddle, being 

 careful to watch that, in regaining his seat, he makes 

 use of his hips and knees only, in order to make him use 

 only those parts nearest to his seat. In fact, the aid of 

 the shoulders would soon affect the hand, and this the 

 horse ; the assistance of the legs would have still worse 



