The Gentlemaii's Seat. 89 



The manipulation of the bridle reins is 

 one of the great arts of riding, and perfection in 

 this respect may almost be said to comprise the 

 whole art of equitation. For no rider can have 

 '•good hands" as it is called, without having, at 

 the same time, a well balanced and secure seat. 

 The wrists must be as pliant as an india-rubber 

 ball — never rigid and hard. With every motion 

 of the horse's head a gentle soft-pressure must be 

 felt on his mouth ; and it must be the constant 

 endeavour of the rider to make as perfect as 

 possible the sympathetic feeling which he will 

 feel to exist between the natural motions of the 

 horse's head, and his own muscular activity. 

 Nothing but practice and unremitting attention 

 will give success in this, the most important part 

 of ridinff. 



