52 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. III. 



The heels are to be sunk as low as pos- 

 sible, and the toes to be raised from the 

 insteps, and to be as near the horse as the 

 heels. 



This will give firmness and strength to the 

 muscles of the legs and thighs, and prevent 

 the heel touching the horse ; for the lower 

 the toe is as well as the more outward, the 

 nearer the heel will be to the sides of the 

 horse, and the more in danger of touching 

 his flank. 



III. The head should be free, firm, and 

 easy. It should be firm, that is to say, straight, 

 without leaning to the right or left, neither 

 advanced nor thrown back, in order to be 

 ready for all the natural motions that the 

 horseman may make in turning it to one side 

 or the other. Otherwise it would occasion a 

 stiffness ; and that stiffness affecting the diffe- 

 rent parts of the body, especially the spine, 

 they would be constrained. 



The shoulders should be thrown back. 



