148 ENGLAND'S HORSES, 



attain to such a seat as will keep his centre of gravity directly 

 over the base on which it is for the given moment of time sup- 

 ported. But, as I have mentioned, it is so supported from two 

 points alternately — the saddle and stirrups. Consequently, if 

 these two points be not in the same vertical line, the rider, to 

 avoid falling off, will be obliged to shift his position at each 

 motion of the horse, so as to bring his centre of gravity alternately 

 over each ; and in fact this is the method of riding which we 

 every day witness in the field, the park, and streets, where the 

 tuition of the efl&cient riding master has never been resorted to. 

 In trotting, the uncultivated horseman is specially observable ; 

 where we see three out of four of our ordinary horsemen "jogging 

 along," in a series of these awkward movements, rendered necessary 

 by their having their feet far in advance of their seat on the 

 saddle, so that at each vertical motion of the horse (which the good 

 rider avoids by rising from the saddle and pressing the stirrups) 

 they are obliged to shift the body to a corresponding extent ; thus 

 not only altering their own centre of gravity, at the cost of much 

 tiresome and unseemly exertion, but, what is worse, breaking up 

 and confusing the action of the best paced horse by continually 

 shifting the weight he has to carry : a process which, I need 

 hardly say, alters and shifts the centre of gravity of the whole 

 mass, and consequently leaves the best trained animal uncertain 

 how far to bring up his propellers, on which depends unity and 

 harmony of action. With such a seat, the strongest man will 

 be comparatively powerless in the saddle, and the most dis- 

 tinguished figure look mean and constrained. The repose so 

 essential to a dignified carriage cannot consist with these hurried, 

 anxious, and iiTegular movements ; the steadiness of hand requi- 

 site for the support and control of the animal, and, without which, 

 both horse and rider are in constant danger of coming to the ground, 

 is wholly unattainable, and the sense of insecurity, combined with 

 conscious awkwardness, renders the ride itself a species of irksome 

 probation, rather than a delightful and exhilarating exercise. 



But when the stin-up is brought perpendicularly under the 

 saddle, then both points of support are on a line with the centre 



