CHAPTER III 

 THE SEAT 



THE seat of the rider on the horse has been deter- 

 mined in its details by anatomy, by veterinary 

 science, and by equestrian art. Anatomists have 

 maintained, with reason, that the more nearly 

 perfect the physical conformation of the man, the 

 more easily will he seat himself correctly upon his 

 mount, when the two are proportioned to one 

 another. Veterinarians have approved the position, 

 finding in it no cause for unsoundness, loss of 

 health, or interference with movements, weight 

 carrying, and regularity of gaits. Masters of 

 equitation have fixed the details of the position and 

 taught the theory of it in the light of its efficiency 

 for controlling the horse by hands, legs, and weight, 

 both standing still and in motion, at different gaits, 

 and for neutralizing the shocks from the moving 

 animal. Theory gives the idea of the position; but 

 only practice brings the adhesion, contact, stability, 

 suppleness, and confidence which constitute the 

 state called seat. 



Seat is the basis of equitation. By the seat the 

 rider is in contact with his mount, communicates 

 to the animal the confidence he has in it, and, on 

 the other hand, is notified at once of the horse's 



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