THE GRIP 77 



over his limbs, and when it comes to a question 

 of grip, I beheve he can hold a horse tighter. It 

 is, in reality, a question of leverage. We do not 

 crack nuts low down on the shanks of the cracker, 

 but as high up as possible. 



Let us look at diagram VII. When a given 

 force is exercised on the angle B C B, there will 

 be greater pressure exercised on the line A A than 

 on B B, and if this point is admitted, then, other 

 things being equal, the man with the shorter 

 thighs should be able to q 



hold his horse tighter 

 than a man with longer 

 ones. 



Certainly it is my ex- 

 perience that it is not the 

 long-legged men that can 

 keep a horse to a fence diagram VII 



best, but the short -legged 

 ones. I do not lay this down as a hard rule, but 

 merely mention it for the consideration of my 

 readers. 



Although this chapter has advocated a " no- 

 grip " principle, I do not wish to be misunder- 

 stood. In using the word "grip" I mean a 

 definite physical effort, quite apart from mere 

 pressure. 



Pressure must be used at all times. When 

 hacking, to keep a horse well into his bridle, and 

 to keep him collected and balanced; and when 

 cantering or galloping, this pressure has to be 

 considerably increased. Unless this is done, there 



