THE SEAT AND BALANCE. 9 



from the shoulder. The whip should be held with 

 the lash downwards, between the two fingers and 

 thumb. The whip may also be carried in the man- 

 ner adopted by gentlemen ; but care should be 

 taken that its point does not tickle, or irritate the 

 horse. 



The proper position of the bridle hand, is imme- 

 diately opposite to the centre of the waist, and 

 about three or four inches from it, the wrist should 

 be slightly rounded, the back of the hand to the 

 front, the knuckles opposite to the horse's ears, the 

 thumb uppermost, and pressed over the third joint 

 of the finger. The hand should not be allowed to 

 move across the body, all the movements being 

 made by the wrist. The arm from the shoulder 

 to the waist, must be one continued spring, impul- 

 sive to the motion of the horse's head, moving back- 

 wards and forwards as he moves, for if it be not 

 so, the horse's mouth will be spoiled by the dead 

 pull upon it. 



The bodi/ must always be in a situation, as well 

 to preserve the balance, as to maintain the seat. 

 The shoulders should be thrown back, so as to open 

 the chest as much as possible. The rider should 

 look in the direction, and lean to the side the horse 

 is turning to, which is in fact the ?iecessarj/ ba- 

 lance. 



