ON HUNTING 47 



foot, turn the body facing the saddle and seize it at the back 



or cantle. The left knee — and this is the important point — 



should be pressed against the saddle-flap to keep the toe from 



digging into the horse's ribs. Spring off the right foot and 



help yourself up by the cantle. Pause a second while 



standing in the stirrup and drop lightly, not "soss," into the 



saddle. Turn the right toe inwards and pick up the stirrup. 



Never bend down and grope with the hand for the iron; 



this is j ust the time a fresh horse may buck or plunge, and if you 



are half off, feeling for the stirrup, he shovels you off altogether. 



If the leather is turned the right way it lies smoothly up 



the inside of the shin. If you find difficulty in getting the right 



foot into the stirrup, twist the leather a few times from left to 



right before mounting and then it will hang in such a position 



as to meet the toe. The length of the leather always seems 



a great difficulty with beginners. Personally, I fancy leathers 



rather longer than shorter. If a man is round in the thighs 



and thick in the calf he will want his leathers on the short 



side. If his thighs are long he will sit comfortably if the 



leathers are long enough to allow the fork to clear the 



pommel of the saddle when he stands up in the stirrups 



with the feet thrust right home. If a horse is a bit " roached 



backed" and very strong behind the saddle the stirrups 



will have to be a bit shorter than with a horse with fine withers 



and a hollo wish back. Flat -racing jockeys have adopted 



a seat like a frog on a shovel, which may suit them possibly 



well enough in flat races, where they go at top pace all through 



and hang like grim death on to their horses' mouths, but they 



are helpless if a horse bucks or plunges. I fancy if Fordham, 



Harry Custance or Fred Archer were alive they would still 



head the list of winning jockeys without adopting this 



American seat. Steeplechase jockeys ride longer, but not so 



long as the hunting seat. A steeplechase is an effort sustained 



but for a short time, and I notice cross-country jockeys ride 



fairly long out hunting. The great thing is to acquire a seat 



independent altogether of the reins. If you want to get a 



secure seat and strengthen the riding muscles practice riding 



without stirrups ; trot a little without them every day and keep 



your balance without any assistance from the bridle. You can 



only do it by gripping with the thighs, not the calves, and 



