A new method, and extraordinary invention, to dress horses, and work them according to nature as also, to perfect nature by the subtility of art, which was never found out, but by ... William Cavendishe ...

How a Man should SIT PERFECTLY ON HORSE-BACK.

BEfore he Mounts his Horse, he must see every Thing in order about the Horse; which is done in an Instant, without Peering and Prying about every thing; as they say, Pour Faire l'en∣tendu.

When he is in the Saddle, (for I suppose most Men know how to get Up) he must Sit down in the Saddle upon his Twist, and not on his Buttocks; though most think Nature made those to Sit on, but not on Horse-Back.

Being Plac'd upon his Twist, in the middle of the Saddle, advancing towards the Pommel of the Saddle, as much as he can; leaving a hand∣ful of Space between his Hinder-parts and the Cantle, or l'Arson of the Saddle, his Leggs being straight Down, as if he were on Foot, his Knees and Thighes turned inwards to the Saddle; hold∣ing

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both of them Fast, as if they were Glewed to the Saddle, (for a Horse-man hath nothing but those two with the Counterpoize of his Body to keep him on Horse-Back) his Feet planted firm∣ly upon the Stirrups; his Heels a little Lower than his Toes, that the end of his Toes may pass the Stirrups half an Inch, or a little more, and Stiff in the Hamms, or Jarrets, his Leggs not too far from the Horse's Sides, nor too near, that is, not to Touch them; which is of great Use for Helps, that I will Shew you hereafter.

The Reins of the Bridle are to be in the Left-Hand, his little Finger separating the Reins, and grasping the rest in his Hand, with his Thumb upon the Reins, his Arm bent Close to his Body, but not constrain'd; his Bridle-Hand some three Fingers Above the Pommel, and some two Fingers Before the Pommel, that the Pommel may not hinder the Reins in their Working, and just over the Neck of the Horse.

In the Right-Hand, he must have a Whistling Rod, not too Long, like an Angle-Rod; nor too Short, like a Poinson; but, if either, let it be 〈1 page missing〉〈1 page missing〉

for there are many Graceful Helps with a Short Rod, that a Long Rod will not Admit of: you must Hold it a little off, from that End beyond your Hand; not only to make much of your Horse with it, but to Hold it the Faster. The Right Hand, where the Rod is, ought to be a little before your Bridle-Hand, and the Right Arm a little Looser, than your Left Arm; but not too Far from your Body, the point of the Rod bending a little Inwards, your Brest out.

You must Look a little Gay, and Pleasantly, but not Laughing; and Look directly between the Horses Ears, when he goes Forwards: I do not mean, you should be Stiff, like a Stake, or like a Statue on Horse-Back, but much otherwise; that is, Free, and with all the Liberty in the world, as the French-Man sayes, in Dancing, A la neg∣ligence; and so I would have a Man on Horse-Back, En Cavalier, and not Formal; for that shewes a Scholler, more than a Master; and I ne∣ver saw any Formality, but me-thought it Lookt something of the Simple and Foolish.

The Seat is so much, (as you shall see here∣after)

as it is the only thing that makes a Horse go Perfectly; and the very Manner of Sitting is beyond all other Helps: Therefore Despise it not, for I dare Boldly say, He that is not Bel homme de Cheval, shall never be Bon homme de Cheval.

For, the Reins both of the Bridle and the Ca∣vezone, I have shewed you that which was never yet Known before: And so this is enough for the Seat of the Cavalier.