SEATS. 83 



horse's, and this is the legitimate and useful form of 

 " bobbing up and down" 



A wholly useless and absurd method of performing 

 this feat is when the stirrup is ever so far away from 

 the part of the saddle on which the rider sits, for then 

 there is an end of the elastic action of the rider's leg; 

 and unfortunately there are some cavalry services in 

 which this is practised, to the great increase of rup- 

 tures amongst the men, and broken knees amongst the 

 horses. 



The plan adopted in England is to avoid the recoil 

 by rising in the stirrups, which of course is the most 

 sensible way for a man who has to ride long distances 

 and is not encumbered with weapons. It has, however, 

 its inconveniences, especially if the stirrup is placed very 

 far forward ; for then, in the first place, the foot being 

 thrust home in the stirrup, the elasticity of the rider's leg 

 is not utilised ; and even when this is not the case, the 

 " tread " being oblique cannot have the effect intended; 

 secondly, the whole seat is abandoned for a certain 

 time, nothing remaining in contact with the horse 

 except the leg from the knee downwards, which is of 

 little use ; thirdly, the horse learns to lean on the 

 hand, for the rider must depend on his reins, for a 

 moment of time at least, which of course renders 

 correct bitting impossible ; * finally, the rider's weight 

 is being constantly transferred from the hind to the 

 fore quarters of the horse. There may be average 

 equilibrium, but it is never permanently in the right 

 place, and hence the danger ; for a sudden start or 



* Ladies have in general a much, lighter hand than men, their seat 

 is firmer and closer, and their horses are usually properly bitted. 



