THE AIDS 



him to the right, the left hand and the left leg still 

 maintain their two degrees of pressure, while at the 

 same time, the right hand and the right leg increase 

 theirs from two degrees to three and from three 

 degrees to four. But as soon as the horse has made 

 the required change of direction, right leg and right 

 rein return to their former two degrees of effect, and 

 give once more the straight line forward. 



These effects are the same at trot and canter. 



In the usual equitation, the rider remains up- 

 right in his saddle, except that the body inclines a 

 little forward to cause the horse to advance, and 

 inclines slightly backward for stopping and backing. 

 In this sort of equitation, the horse is not main- 

 tained in any state of equilibrium, the location of 

 its center of gravity is problematical, and there- 

 fore, the weight of the rider has little effect in 

 governing its movements. 



At the trot, the rider may either keep a close seat, 

 or he may rise at each step, in what is called the 

 English motion. But in either case, he has to sit 

 close in order to use the pressure of his legs for 

 changes of direction or of gait, or for other control. 

 He can, indeed, turn his mount by the reins only, 

 without using his legs; but the animal obeys only 

 because it is willing. Without pressure of the legs, 

 the rider cannot compel obedience. 



As soon as the learner has acquired sufficient 

 confidence and a firm seat, it is helpful exercise to 

 practice jumping obstacles. 



