OF HORSEMANSHIP. gn 



(diredly down and clofe upon the Saddle, and fo firm that 

 nothing can loofen or difturb his Seat ; and by Firmnefs, I 

 exprefs that Grafp or Hold with which he keeps himfelf on' 

 the Horfe, without employing any Strength, but truftino- 

 entirely to his Ballance, to humour and accompany all the 

 Motions of the Horfe. 



Nothing but Exercife and Pradlice can give this Equilibrc,. 

 and confequently this Hold upon the Horfe. In the Begin- 

 ning,, the Fear which almoft every Scholar feels, and the 

 Conftraint which all his Limbs are under, make him apt to 

 prefs the Saddle very clofe with his Thighs and Knees, as he 

 imagines he fliall by this Method acquire a firmer Seat ; but 

 the very Efforts that lie makes to refifl the Motions of the 

 Horfe, ftiffen his Body, and lift him out of the Saddle, fo 

 that any rude Motion, or unexpeded Shock, would be likely 

 to unhorfe him ; for from the Moment that he ceafes to fit 

 down and quite clofe to the Saddle, every fudden Jirk and 

 Motion of the Horfe attacking him under his Twift, mufi: 

 iliove him out of the Saddle. 



We will fuppofe thcq a Peifon, the Pofition of whofe 

 Body is juft and regular, and who, by being able to fit dov.n 

 perpendicular and full in his Saddle, can feel and unite him- 

 felf to his Horfe fo as to accompany all his Motions ; let us 

 fee then how this Perfon, from the Motions of his own Body, . 

 will be able to accord and unite the. Aids or Times of the 

 Hands and Legs. 



Ik- 



