HORSEMANSHIP 7 



seat in the first beofinnino- of the trot. But 

 when a few preHminary lessons are finished, 

 and this wnll be all w^e can allow a learner 

 who has to consider ways and means, he will be 

 very far from a complete horseman. It is true 

 the rider knows that he ought to mount on the 

 near side, to hold his reins in the left hand and 

 his whip in the right, how to rise in the trot, 

 and how^ to make his horse canter. 



He may even, and indeed he should have, 

 held his breath and kept his seat, while the 

 horse lobbed over the leaping-bar. But he is 

 now onlv at the beoinnino- of his trainino-, and 

 it is at this point that the hints herein con- 

 tained may be of service to him. 



It will be of the greatest use to him if for 

 some time he can command the services of a 

 quiet horse. For some weeks, it may be 

 months, the aspiring- horseman should be con- 

 cerned more with himself than his horse. It 

 will be time enough to ride more spirited 

 animals when he himself has gained confidence 

 and ease in the saddle. The first thing to be 

 thought of is how to obtain a firm seat. No 

 one who has not a strong seat can have even 

 moderately good hands, and this latter is a point 

 to be striven for, since it is the only way to be 

 safe and happy on horseback, and is even an 

 economv, for the man with o'ood hands will be 



