USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



somewhat more firmly upon the reins, so that these 

 are less likely to slip. Finally, if the fingers are 

 turned up, the elbows will be stiff and too close to 

 the body. But if they are turned down, the elbows 

 will stick out. 



The bridle is, after all, the most important means 

 of controlling the horse. The hand manages the bit 

 by way of the reins. The bit, by its contact, 

 governs the mouth. The mouth communicates 

 with the neck. The neck guides the front limbs. 

 Therefore, must the hands be kept in place, and 

 the reins be of equal length. For if the reins slip 

 in the fingers, control of the front hand is, for the 

 instant, lost. For many reasons, then, it becomes 

 important to keep the thumbs upon the reins. 



THE POSITION OF THE LOWER LEG 



THE leg below the knee should fall naturally. If 

 ankle or calf is stiff, the knee joint also will stiffen, 

 the knees will tend to get up on the saddle, and the 

 leg will not work freely in managing the horse. The 

 upper part of the calf should press the saddle 

 lightly. If it presses too strongly, fatigue results. 

 Moreover, the rider cannot carry the legs backward 

 without opening the knees, and thus he loses one of 

 the essentials of a good seat. Yet, on the other 

 hand, if the calf does not touch the saddle at all, 

 then the leg must be too far out at the side, too far 

 forward, or too far back. In the first two cases, the 

 legs will be too far from the body of the horse to 



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