SEATS. 67 



each kind of riding. Again, it has been shown that 

 the stability of the saddle and the safety of the horse's 

 back depend to a great extent on the stability of the 

 rider's weight — that is to say, on his poise or balance. 

 In addition to these two items comes a third one — 

 namely, the value of poise or balance to the rider 

 himself. Why does anything tumble down from the 

 position it has hitherto occupied 1 because it loses its 

 balance : and the rider that does so is sure to meet the 

 same fate, unless the fi'iction of his seat, the stirrups, 

 or the horse's mane are called to the rescue. Can there 

 be any doubt as to the great value of poise or balance ? 

 We think not. 



As to friction, this depends, in the case of two inani- 

 mate bodies coming in contact, first, on the nature of 

 their resj^ective surfaces, which we must leave altogether 

 out of question here ;* and, secondly, on the absolute 

 weight with which the upper one presses on the lower 

 one. The amoimt of surface of contact does not increase 

 friction, but, of course, if the whole weight be brought 

 to bear an one or two points of a rider's seat, these 

 will soon require soap-plaster. Here, however, we 

 have to do with an inanimate body, the saddle, on the 

 one hand, and a very lively one, the rider's seat and 

 legs, on the other, whose muscular action may form a 

 very important adjunct to the dead weight in increas- 

 ing friction ; and the amount of this action does in- 

 crease with the surfaces in contact, because a greater 

 number of muscles are brouo:ht into action ; therefore. 



/ 



* A very smooth surface to the saddle lessens the friction, for 

 which reason school saddles are usually covered with tan- 

 coloured buckskin, whilst many Orientals adopt sheepskins with 

 wool on, coarse rugs or mats, &c. 



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