7^ Horses and Horsemastership. 



quired, after which attention must be paid to the 

 improvement of the seat by the employment of as much 

 friction as possible, and, finally, the proper use of the 

 stirrups will aid in perfecting the rider as far as his 

 individual ability will permit ; for it is not upon any 

 one of the means of support, but upon the intelligent 

 employment of all, that the security of the seat depends. 



With regard to balance, it is so essentially a matter 

 of practice that there is verv little to be said upon the 

 subject. Almost everyone rides a bicycle nowadays, and 

 the principles which apply to riding that machine apply 

 almost equally to equitation; indeed, a cyclist ought to 

 find but little trouble in overcoming the initial diffi- 

 culties. 



I stated above that rigidity is to be avoided. The 

 average man when he finds himself upon a horse for the 

 first time instinctivelv braces everv muscle of his body, 

 and resists, or. to put it plainer, works against the 

 movements of the animal. A moment's reflection will 

 make it apparent that this must be opposed to the very 

 thing we are considering, and the sooner the beginner 

 gets confidence enough to let himself go with his horse's 

 movements the sooner he will acquire balance. 



I cannot help thinking that if the preliminarv lessons 

 in equitation were restricted to placing the recruit 

 properly in the saddle, and not allowing him to touch 



