USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



five years of practice to master it satisfactorily. 

 For, in the first place, to secure perfect adhesion, 

 the muscles of the thighs must acquire a certain 

 shape. But while one is attending to the position 

 of the head or the arms, the thighs get out of place 

 and have to be readjusted. Moreover, nothing ex- 

 cept long practice will enable one to grip forcibly 

 with the thighs, without communicating the least 

 contraction to the legs or to the upper portion of 

 the body, which must always remain entirely in- 

 dependent of any action of other muscles. 



It seems easy, does it not? Well, then, sit on a 

 chair and try to bring the legs and the upper part of 

 the body backward simultaneously. It is not so easy 

 as it looks. But on horseback one has to remember 

 everything at once, and to do everything at the 

 same time. My readers will understand now, that 

 I, like all practiced teachers, am but an open book 

 from which a pupil gets information at any moment. 

 But, after all, the pupil himself is his own best 

 teacher, if only he will practice long and con- 

 stantly. 



I was, myself, never permitted stirrups from four 

 years of age till ten. During this time I used to 

 accompany my father on hunting parties; and if I 

 happened to fall, he would always count, "One 

 less," referring to the seven falls which by tradition 

 precede the acquisition of a seat. 



Yes, to acquire a good seat, one must learn to 

 ride without stirrups! 



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