22 Introductory Chapter. 



a sort of thing to which well-bred gentlemen have a 

 great objection. They can afford to ride tolerably safe 

 horses, and depend on their saddles and groom to a 

 great extent for the convenience and comfort of their 

 seat. These important functionaries must be often 

 sadly puzzled how to ensure this, and would be prob- 

 ably often delighted to find their employer capable of 

 giving them some intelligible hint on which they 'might 

 exercise their ingenuity and s avoir fair e with a decent 

 chance of success. 



The next section comprises those who are indifferent 

 to appearances, and merely desire to ride safely and 

 comfortably. As regards the latter point, we may refer 

 them to what has been just said ; and as to the matter 

 of safety, this will be perhaps better attained by some 

 knowledge of where the danger lies and how it may 

 be avoided than by a practical experience of it in the 

 shape of a fall. 



Others again, although they never followed a hound, 

 nor are likely to do so, adopt what they believe to be 

 " a hunting seat," merely because it is a prominent type, 

 and therefore caught their eye more readily than the 

 chaos that presented itself in all other directions. Many 

 of them would doubtless adopt with equal readiness 

 some other form that promised equal or greater security 

 and convenience, especially if they should happen to 

 discover, by the aid of a looking-glass, that their copy 

 is somewhat too much of a caricature. 



The aim of this little treatise is, therefore, by appeal- 

 ing to the intelligence, common sense and good feeling 

 of all riding men, to enable each to discover for him- 

 self what best suits his own peculiar case, and will put 

 him in a position to make the best and the most of 

 every horse he may have to ride, in the safest manner, 

 so far, at least, as the matters herein treated are con- 

 cerned. The intention is to refrain from all dogrmatism 



