HANDS WITHOUT LEGS 



In other words, with a well-conformed horse, the 

 state of equilibrium is very easy for a practiced 

 rider and very difficult for a novice. With a badly 

 conformed horse, the desired state is difficult for 

 the experienced esquire, and very nearly impossible 

 for the inexperienced, even if they both employ 

 both hands and legs. 



It comes about, then, that, whether the horse be 

 well or ill conformed, it has to be trained to the 

 condition of .equilibrium by means of both hands 

 and legs. But the horse once trained, though not 

 before, it becomes possible to preserve the state of 

 equilibrium by means of the rider's legs without 

 the cooperation of his hands, or by means of his 

 hands without the cooperation of his legs. 



But now arises the question, how does accuracy 

 of seat act upon the center of gravity, which is the 

 immediate sequence of the state of equilibrium? 

 The answer is, that this equilibrium is a unit, and 

 the center of gravity is an element. We obtain this 

 unified condition by the accord of our effects of 

 hands and of legs. But if, when we have obtained 

 this unit condition, we employ more effect of hands 

 or more effect of legs in order to execute a move- 

 ment, we at once disturb the original unity. There- 

 upon the equilibrium vacillates between the hands 

 and the legs, and does not remain permanently 

 anywhere. 



On the other hand, by means of accuracy of seat, 

 we are able to act upon this unified condition of 



309 



