SEAT, LEGS AND SPURS 21 



The stirrup leathers should have holes punched in 

 them every half -inch ; and their right length is that 

 which enables the rider to clear the pommel of the 

 saddle when standing up in the stirrups. Too short 

 leathers fatigue the thighs and feet, and the toes and 

 knees cannot be turned slightly out, so that the calves 

 and spurs can be used close behind the girth, without 

 the knees losing touch with the saddle ; if they are too 

 long the rider cannot keep his legs perfectly still in the 

 trot, and he loses touch with the irons when the horse 

 changes from the canter to the trot ; in any sudden 

 movement he is also apt to be jerked forward against 

 the pommel of the saddle. For fine work the legs 

 should be placed so that they can get thigh, knee, calf 

 and ankle pressure, separate or combined. Except 

 when hunting, the tread of the stirrup iron should be 

 under the ball of the foot, not home against the heel 

 of the boot ; and when getting on a strange horse it is 

 better to risk the leathers being too short than too 

 long. The bearing on the stirrup irons should be light : 

 the moment the rider feels he is pressing on them he 

 should sink down into the saddle which should bear all 

 his weight. 



The body should be upright, but free from any 

 stiffness, especially about the waist, and in ordinary 

 riding the back half only of the sides of the knees need 

 be against the saddle, so that the toes are slightly out 

 as when walking ; this brings the seat and thighs well 

 down on the saddle and enables the rider to use his 

 legs freely,* and to feel the movements of the horse, 

 whilst the calves can only close in against the girths 



* A thoroughly trained horse answers to the pressure of the 

 knees and legs, whereas an ordinary hack or hunter may at times 

 require a good legging. 



