USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



reins, who grips the animal's sides with the calves 

 of his legs, has no use for seat. But whoever wishes 

 to ride at the regular paces with grace and com- 

 fort, can never have too strong a seat. So long as 

 the horse walks, mere contact is sufficient. Riding 

 outside the school, and rising at the trot, necessi- 

 tates contact of the knees, since at each step 

 contact of the thighs is lost. The very fast trot 

 demands a close seat. For the trot au rassembler, 

 commonly called "passage," grip is essential 

 since I do not know one horseman who can trot 

 au rassembler with a rising seat. The gallop also 

 requires a close seat; while for the counter-moves 

 and for jumping, grip is indispensable during the 



action, and should 

 be in proportion to 

 the violence of the 

 shock. 



Here, in fine, is 

 what I advise the 

 student at the rid- 

 ing-school : Give 

 great weight to all 

 the principles here 

 set forth. Never 

 miss a single les- 

 son ; for the riding-master has his amour-propre and 

 will be the more interested in your progress if you 

 try to show him by your regular attendance that you 

 really desire to become a good horseman. Finally, 



28 



RIDING IN THE PILLARS TO 

 COMPLETE THE RIDER'S SEAT 



