1 8 Horse and Man. 



tucked under him like those of a cockney 

 making his first attempt at the leaping-bar, 

 is compelling his unfortunate mount to smash 

 a five-barred gate. 



When you understand how to grasp your 

 saddle with your legs, you will find a little 

 practice very useful in suppling and strengthen- 

 ing the muscles which you have to use for the 

 purpose. Take your gripe deliberately, and 

 then try its strength by abandoning your ba- 

 lance. Throw your body backwards, or sway 

 it from side to side, and watch how heavy a 

 strain the tenacity of your thighs and legs is 

 able to support without slipping. Next sit 

 loosely, let your body fall backwards or side- 

 ways, and stop its fall by catching the saddle 

 with your legs. You will, after a very few 

 days of this exercise, become conscious of a 

 surprising increase in the ease and power of 

 your adhesion to your horse. 



3. Suppling the Waist. A good seat on 

 horseback may be defined as the knack of 

 grasping the saddle firmly with the legs with- 

 out disturbing the position of the body. You 

 have now learnt how to place the body, and 



