The Gentleman's Seat. 63 



and co-ordinate the movements of himself and his 

 horse. At this stage of our instructions the legs 

 must be brought into action. At every effort of 

 the rider to raise his body, in consonance with 

 the rising of the horse, he should press his knees 

 and calves closely to the animal's sides, and feel 

 his movements, as it were, from moment to 

 moment. This is capital practice, the value of 

 which it is impossible to over-estimate; and he 

 who would ride well must pay considerable atten- 

 tion to it. It is, no doubt, very hard work ; but 

 there is no " royal road " to riding any more than 

 to learning. The pupil will fully appreciate 

 the value of his industry when he comes to the 

 luxury of a saddle. The difference may be 

 described as a transition from a wooden-bottomed> 

 high-backed chair^ to an easy lounging chair* 



