British manly exercises : in which rowing and sailing are now first described; and riding and driving are for the first time given in a work of this kind ... / by Donald Walker.

  • Walker, Donald, active 1840.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: British manly exercises : in which rowing and sailing are now first described; and riding and driving are for the first time given in a work of this kind ... / by Donald Walker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    equilibrium only by leaning forward; as the horse rises, and backward as he alights. When the horse is brought to the bar, the body is to be upright.—The legs are to be applied to the horse's side with such firmness as to keep the rider down to the saddle, and in such a manner, viz. perpendicularly from the knee, that the action of the body shall not loosen or disturb them. The toes must be pulled up, to make the muscles firm, and to prevent the spur from approaching too near the horse ; and, if necessary, they may be turned out a little to strengthen the hold. The hand must be kept in the centre, and quite low ; and the reins not too short, but just by the pressure of the fingers to feel the horse's mouth. When at the bar, the pressure of the legs and fingers will invite the horse to rise; and as he rises, the body comes forward and preserves its perpendicular.—The back must then be kept in, and the head firm. As the horse springs from his hind legs, and proceeds in the leap, the rider must slip his buttock under him, and let his body go freely back, keeping his hands down, legs close, and body back, till the horse's hind legs have come to the ground. The propriety of applying the legs to hold firm in the saddle is obvious.—The hand being kept low is essential; and the bad consequences of raising it are numerous, as confining the horse, preventing the body going back, throw- ing the rider forward, &c. The body coming forward to preserve its perpendicular as the horse rises before, prevents the weight of the rider from banging on his mouth, and checking his leap, if not