222 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



If the weight is too far back in the cantle, more weight than is desirable 

 is on the rear of the side bars, and a sore back results. If the rider leans 

 too far forward, stands in his stirrups, etc., sore withers result. The 

 question is: Where should he sit to get even distribution of weight? 

 Answer: By taking his feet out of the stirrups, placing his hand on 

 the pommel, and pulling himself forward until he feels that he is start- 

 ing to "slide up hill," the rider will place himself in the deepest part 

 of the saddle. The saddle being properly placed on the horse's back, 

 the rider should be directly over the center of gravity, which is also the 

 center of motion, or the spot where the rider would receive the least 

 motion. The next question is: What becomes of the rider's feet and 

 legs, and how should they be held? Answer: Let the legs and feet 

 hang down naturally. The tread of the stirrup should strike the instep 

 about where the spur strap crosses. Now without moving the buttocks 

 in the saddle, reach for the stirrups and place the ball of the feet on 

 the tread of the stirrup. Supple and relax the ankle so that the heel 

 will be lower than the ball of the foot. The calf of the leg should 

 maintain contact with the side of the horse. Do not think the ankle 

 joint is supple when the heel is lowered by sticking the feet to the 

 front; this will bring the heel lower, but the ankle joint is not supple 

 and the calf of the leg ceases to maintain contact. Contact at the calf of 

 the leg is one of the most important things to watch in riding. When 

 the rider has done the above correctly, the following will be the result. 

 (1) The thigh makes an agle of about 30 degrees with the vertical. (2) 

 The "lower leg" (knee down) is a little in rear of the vertical. (3) The 

 stirrup strap is vertical. (4) The calf is in contact. (5) The ankle 

 joint is supple. (6) The heel is below the ball of the foot. 



In connection with the foregoing, the following remarks are applic- 

 able and-explain the reason for the same: (1) The thigh is let down 

 in order to assist in securing a firm seat. If you have ever seen a run- 

 ning race or steeple chase, where the rider's thighs are horizontal, it 

 will be appreciated how very insecure the rider's seat is ; the slightest 

 move beyond the expected, and "off he goes." The reason is : "no 

 thigh grip." The jockey takes this seat because more speed can be 

 obtained by the rider's weight being as far forward as possible. The 

 seat itself in a race of that kind is sacrificed for speed. (2) The ankle is 

 supple, and the heel is below the ball of the foot. This is done to insure 

 the thigh being well let down so that the seat is secure. If you have 

 ever noticed a man on a bucking horse, just before he goes over the 

 horse's head, you will note the following: The heels are "up" and the 

 thigh approaches the horizontal. "Heels up, thigh up," go hand in 

 hand. An insecure seat is bound to result. (3) The calf of the leg 

 is in constant contact, because the aids are first applied with the calf, 

 later running down to the spur if the horse does not answer them by 

 calf application. The rider's calf should always be the first to apply the 

 aids, not the spur. To stick the heel to the front, and then strike the 

 horse with the spur without giving the animal the correct aids with the 

 calf, is the strongest proof of a poor and unintelligent rider. The calf 



