54 SEATS AND SADDLES. 



still fumbling at a multiplicity of straps : and moreover, 

 his saddle remains where he put it ; ours seldom does 

 so except by chance. Civilian riders would not ap- 

 prove of the surcingle ; the same end may, however, be 

 attained by putting the girth-straps in the middle of 

 the saddle, and sitting as nearly as possible over them. 

 For military purposes girths might be altogether dis- 

 pensed with and only a surcingle used. 



There is an idea prevalent that if the girths are 

 placed as far back as indicated here (over the false ribs), 

 they must interfere with the movement of the horse's 

 chest and lungs much more than if placed well forward 

 over the true ones. This is, however, precisely con- 

 trary to fact : the true ribs are firmly supported at both 

 ends to make room for the lungs by being drawn for- 

 wards : the largest volume of lung lies directly beneath 

 them the greatest expansion is required and taJces place 

 here. Under the false ribs lie the thin lobes of the 

 lungs, which increase their volume in a much less 

 degree ; they are therefore supported only at one end, 

 and expand but little, serving chiefly as supports for 

 the diaphragm or midriff. But any one who has not 

 yet arrived at the dignity of a " corporation " may eas- 

 ily convince himself of the truth of this by putting on 

 a tight-fitting waistcoat and playing cricket in it : he 

 will soon find the top buttons gone, and much less fre- 

 quently the lower ones, whilst a waist-belt will prove a 

 convenience. The point from which the stirrup is sus- 

 pended has nearly an equal influence on the stability 

 of the saddle, and a much greater one on the form of the 

 seat than the position of the girths. If the stirrups be 

 wrong, all the rest being right will be of little avail.* 

 * Any defects that may exist in the English cavalry seat, and the 



