CHAPTER VII. 41 



bareback or on the cloth,^^ I do not approve 

 of a seat which is as though the man were 

 on a chair, but rather as though he were 

 standing upright with his legs apart. Thus 

 he would get a better grip with his thighs 

 on the horse, and, being upright, he could 

 hurl his javelin more vigorously and strike 

 a better blow from on horseback, if need 

 be. His foot and leg from the knee down 

 should hang loosely, for if he keeps his leg 

 stiff and should strike it against something, 

 he might get it broken; but a supple leg 

 would yield, if it struck against anything, 

 without at all disturbing the thigh. Then, 

 too, the rider should accustom himself to 

 keep his body above the hips as supple as 

 possible ; for this would give him greater 

 power of action, and he would be less liable 

 to a fall if somebody should try to pull or 

 push him off. The horse should be taught 

 to stand still when the rider is taking his seat, 

 and until he has drawn his skirts from under 

 him, if necessary, made the reins even, and 

 taken the most convenient grasp of his spear. 

 Let him then keep his left arm at his side ; 

 this will give the rider the tidiest look, and to 



