58 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. III. 



CHAP. II. 



OF THE BALANCE. 



The balance in riding is the preserving the 

 body from that inclination to one side or the 

 other, which even the ordinary paces of the 

 horse in the trot or gallop will occasion. 



The balance is preserved when the horse- 

 man sits upon his fork directly down upon 

 the saddle, and so firmly that nothing can 

 loosen his seat., But the firmness here neces- 

 sary is that hold with which he keeps himself 

 on horseback, without employing strength, 

 trusting entirely to the natural balance of his 

 body to accompany all the motions of the 

 horse. 



Nothing but practice can give this balance, 

 and consequently this hold upon the horse. 



