283 CONFESSIONS OP A HOKSE DEALER. 



body, against all the pupils turned out of the majority 

 of the public riding-schools, where it is the custom of 

 the masters to give their first instructions with stirrups. 

 To return to my pupil, who is now mounted, I shall 

 place one of his hands on each rein, by passing it be- 

 tween the little finger and the third one, and over the 

 fore-finger, placing the thumb upon it, to keep it from 

 slipping. The hands are now both placed on the reins, 

 and should be from six to eight inches apart, and 

 raised from four to six inches from the pommel (fore- 

 part) of the saddle, the wrists a little rounded, and the 

 finger-ends pointing towards the body. The elbows 

 should be drawn back, so as to bring them on a line 

 with the shoulders, and lightly closed, without pressure, 

 or the appearance of awkward stiffness. The head 

 should be kept well up, the chest advanced, the shoul- 

 ders back, and the small of the back hollowed, but the 

 body should be set on, &ie saddle, so as to lean neither to 

 the right, left, back, or front. The leg and foot should 

 be drawn back, well under, to support the body, the 

 toes turned in (without twisting the ancles), the heels 

 considerably lower than t&e toes, and the thighs be 

 brought with the inside well to the saddle.. From the 

 thighs to the heel, the leg must bear with the inside to 

 the horse, but without pressure, except in case of need, 

 for which they are always ready to be applied at a mo- 

 ment's notice. When the pupil is placed iu this position, 

 he is what is professionally termed " united," and ready 

 for any emergency. 



