THE MILITARY SEAT. 93 



•would there be the slightest use in doing so. On the 

 contrary, this style of riding can only lead to loose 

 and broken charges, or to a voluntary abandonment 

 of full gallop in charging. Further, the fox-hunter 

 does not require sharp turning, and he has both his 

 hands at his disposal ; whilst the cavalry soldier's life 

 depends to a great extent on his horse being able to 

 turn suddenly and rapidly with the aid of one hand. 

 The poise or equilibrium of horse and rider taken to- 

 gether can never be too perfect or too permanent in his 

 case. One of the great mistakes committed is the sup- 

 posing that what is called a balance-seat is the one 

 thing necessary. The whole machine must be in 

 balance, and not the rider alone. 



But the greatest difference is in the absolute weight 

 or load to be carried. A hunting man buys a horse 

 up to his weight j cavalry can do nothing of the sort, 

 for their horses are compelled to carry any load we 

 please to inflict on them. People rig out a soldier 

 with everything that combined bad taste and absurdity 

 can suggest — put him on a horse that must not cost 

 over a certain price, and call him a hussar, dragoon, or 

 lancer, according to the cut of his coat ; and so it comes 

 that what is called heavy cavalry sometimes rides 

 lighter, and is altogether lighter, than what people are 

 pleased to consider light cavalry. 



There must be some average weight determinable 

 for the average horses and average work of cavalry, 

 but it is very hard to get at anything like a satisfac- 

 tory solution of this problem, in consequence of the 

 great number of unknown quantities involved in it. 

 Nevertheless, there can be no harm done in attempting, 

 at least, a statement of the question. 



