THE HIGH SCHOOL 83 



increased enjoyment out of riding, and to master 

 difficult horses without upsetting their tempers, by 

 turning their superfluous energy into orderly move- 

 ments. 



The orthodox school seat is in the dip of the saddle, 

 the knees being slightly bent and placed in front of the 

 leathers, and the feet parallel with the girths so as to 

 prevent misuse of the spurs. When the feet are 

 parallel with the girths the sides of the spurs will just 

 touch the sides, which project behind the girths, when 

 the heels are drawn back : to prevent the spurs from 

 touching, the toes should be turned slightly in, or if 

 they are worn low down on the heel dropping the heels 

 is sufficient. 



There are many advantages in this seat ; the thighs 

 and knees present a flat surface to the saddle and get a 

 strong hold of the narrowest part of the horse's body, 

 w hilst the legs * fit the sides over the girths, and the 

 knees are able to bend so that the ankles can be placed 

 against any part of the flanks ; to control and stimulate 

 the hind quarters. When being moved back the knees 

 should be turned in so that the legs do not touch the 

 sides, and when placed they should hold the sides 

 lightly : to stimulate the horse the spur should stroke 

 rather than press the flank. In addition to this the 

 knees do not get chafed by the leathers, and the horse 

 carries the weight on the strongest part of the back just 

 behind the withers, where there is the least movement 

 when he plays up, the dorsal vertebrae at this point 

 being nearly perpendicular. 



This seat can be changed into the hacking seat by 

 moving the feet forward and carrying the weight back 



* In High School work a distinction is drawn between the 

 " thigh " and the " leg " below the knee. 



