Zi6 Resthcncss . its Prcz>c?itio7i and Cure. 



Thus, whilst the pressure of the man's legs brings the 

 hind leg of the remount forward, the pressure of his 

 wrist, exercised through the rein, determines exactly to 

 what extent this shall take place, and, in fact, prescribes 

 the point at which the foot shall be placed on the 

 ground. This is what is called floating or oscillating 

 between the rider's hand and leg ; it is what gives per- 

 fect control over the horse's movements, and explains 

 why the terms " mere rein" or " mere stirrup" riding 

 are used in a satirical sense. A little attention will soon 

 teach even a beginner which hind foot is being brought 

 forward, and consequently with which rein he will have 

 to regulate its action ; for it will never answer the pur- 

 pose to pull across, as that would only derange the 

 position of the neck and head ; and this " feeling in the 

 seat," as it is called, is a sense that riders must cultivate, 

 as it will enable them to find out ivimediaiely wdiat 

 their horse is about, and whether he be meditating mis- 

 chief, which, if his leg be in the right place, he can nip 

 in the bud ; whereas, if it be somewhere away toward 

 the horse's shoulder, he is sure to come too late.* 



The corners and changes of direction must not be 

 overlooked. At first these must be got through in a 

 wide sweep, for which the lounging was sufficient pre- 

 paration. By degrees, however, this sweep is narrowed 

 and the change of direction made more abrupt ; we 

 must therefore see how this is to be effected and what 

 results it produces. 



When a horse moves on a segment of a circle, we 

 must consider the two inner legs as moving on an 

 interior somewhat narrower, and the two outer ones 

 on an exterior som.ewhat wider curve. The difference 

 between the two, although not very great, is neverthe- 

 less sufficiently so to compel the animal to shorten the 



* For the same reason it will not do to rise in the stirrups, English 

 fashion, for we should miss each alternate tread. 



