214 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. VII. 



reins, &c. Now, the body must be kept up- 

 right, but very flexible, accompanying every 

 action of the horse, to be ready to repel every 

 effort he may make. Your balance is to be 

 nicely preserved by the muscles of the thighs ; 

 and the legs are to be kept near the horse, 

 but not to grasp till you feel the necessity, 

 for the horse is in alternate motion with his 

 fore and hind legs, and you know not whether 

 he will rear before or kick behind. Your 

 body, therefore, should accompany the action 

 of his legs. Accordingly, when he lifts his 

 fore legs, your breech must be thrust out be- 

 hind, by which you are prepared if he rears. 

 As the fore feet come to the ground, you slip 

 the buttocks under, which prepares you for 

 his kicking or springing forward. If either 

 take place, your legs are in a situation at the 

 instant to grasp, and keeping a firm hold 

 with your hands, you support the horse from 

 falling, and keep a proper restraint upon 

 him. 



On this subject, it is right to ascertain the 

 horse's modes of defence, the action which he 



