208 THE SEAT. 



with the way the men sat their horses, just like hunting 

 men, that I thought they were the best riding regiment I 

 had seen, and I reported so to the Commander-in-Chief at 

 the time. 1 



" Of course, there are times, such as in marching past and 

 State functions, when it is necessary for the men to bump 

 in their saddles for uniformity ; but for some years now 

 they have been taught to rise in their stirrups, thus giving 

 them more liberty and individuality. This is also less 

 fatiguing both to man and horse. Consequently, military 

 riding has improved, favouring the hunting seat." 



Thus in section 53 of the "Cavalry Drill Book" we find 

 that : " In parade work the stirrups should be kept at the 

 ball of the foot, but in manoeuvre, riding over rough ground, 

 jumping, etc., the feet should be pushed home." The true 

 military seat, like every form of good riding, is one that 

 can be easily retained without any muscular effort. 



