5i 



The position of a person on horseback, may be compared to that on 

 a barrel, If the feet were carried under the barrel, it would be next to 

 impossible for them to support any of the riders weight, and such a 

 position would also loosen the grip of the thighs and bring the knee out 

 of position. 



In making use of the grip on horseback, the stirrups in their correct 

 position, furnish a solid resistance for the foot and facilitate a greater 

 pressure of the thighs against the saddle, and the farther they are 

 brought from tinder the horse in such cases, the stronger will be their 

 support to the rider. 



The stirrup should be held under the ball of the foot, this being the 

 position which affords the most elasticity and leverage for its various 

 uses. 



4th. The balance : This is the most important factor of the seat and 

 consists of steadying the center of gravity of the rider in the saddle and 

 the distribution of the weight in conformity with the horses motion. 

 Balance should be chiefly the means of maintaing the seat and with 

 perfect balance, the rider will arrive at the complete relaxation of all 

 muscles, and natural grace and suppleness, which is so much admired 

 and so rarely found among persons, who for lack of balance, are obliged 

 to cling to their horses rigidly. 



Stiffness prevents the fine feeling, so important in hand and seat, 

 which in equestrianism is as indispensable, as the ear in music. 



The overtaxation of the body extends invariably to the brain and 

 prevents the rider from discriminating thoughtfully in the use of the 

 impressions to be made on the horse. 



THE GUIDANCE. 



The practical method by which we make ourselves understood to 

 the horse and the impressions, by which we influence and control its 

 carriage and movements, constitute the guidance. 



The rider communicates with the trained horse by means of aids and 

 devides the horse for the purpose of g-uidance into two parts : The fore- 

 hand, or that part of the horse situated forward of the rider, is con- 

 trolled by the aids of reins ; the hindhand, or that part back of the rider 

 is under the control of the aids of legs. 



The aids of reins control the carriage and position of the horses 

 head and neck ; they serve to stop and back the horse and guide the 

 forehand to the right or left by pull, pressure against the neck, or both. 



The aids of legs urge the horse to go forward by pressure upon the 

 flanks and guide the hindhand to the right or left by exercising press- 

 ure upon one side, from which the horse recedes. 

 BAREBACK RIDING. 



No practice will give to the young rider such perfect balance, inde- 

 pendence of the horse's 'motion and feeling of being at home on the horse, 

 as the riding without saddle and reins, and where time and circum- 

 stances afford the opportunity, it shotrld receive the most careful at- 

 tention. For this purpose the horse is equipped "with a vaulting 



