1 6 Horse and Man. 



strength for the purpose. Remember then, 

 first that the grasp of the fore part of the leg 

 is more adhesive than that of the back part, 

 and secondly that the grasp of the upper part 

 of the leg is more adhesive than that of the 

 lower part. Remember also that, the more 

 precisely under your weight your legs embrace 

 your horse's body, the less power he will have 

 to shake off their hold. The attitude in 

 which you can clip your saddle most vigor- 

 ously will consequently be the following. 

 Keep your fork resting upon the centre of the 

 saddle, your weight resting upon your fork, 

 and the flat of your thighs lying along the 

 saddle-flaps ; then place your feet horizontally, 

 and draw back your legs until your toes are 

 vertically beneath your knees. 



By maintaining this position you will effec- 

 tually avoid two fatal blunders. Some no- 

 vices endeavour to obtain a firm gripe by 

 stooping forward and doubling up their legs 

 behind them. Others sit far back, carry for- 

 ward their feet, and rest their knees against 

 the padding of the saddle-flaps. Both errors 

 are quite inconsistent with good riding ; but 

 the former, as being the more obviously and 



