THE SEA T. 



length of the stirrup should be such as to allow the third 

 crutch to press, without inconvenience, against the left 

 thigh just above the knee, while the left leg, from the 

 knee downwards, should be perpendicular to the ground. 

 It is important that the stirrup be not long, so that, in 

 trotting, the rider may not throw too much weight on 

 the near side. The left foot should be parallel to the 

 horse's side, with its heel slightly lowered, at the walk ; 

 but when cantering or galloping, it may be drawn back 

 five or six inches, and its heel well depressed. Nothing 

 looks more ungraceful, or indicates the bad rider more 

 clearly, than the habit, when going fast, of drawing back 

 the leg from the knee downwards, until it is in an almost 

 horizontal position. 



The right foot should be drawn back, and its toe 

 raised, so that a good grip may be obtained by the 

 muscles of the calf becoming tense. It should press 

 well against the horse, should be parallel with his 

 shoulder, and should not have any backward and for- 

 ward sway in trotting. The toe of the boot should 

 never project forward, so as to show against the skirt of 

 the habit. 



The rider should sit in the middle of the saddle and 

 as straight as possible. Grace and firmness of seat 



