86 NOTES ON EQUITATION. 



Perfect obedience to the legs is to be considered as the 

 characteristic sign of successful training. 



In the use of the horse everything is based upon the 

 movement to the front; the upper aids merely utilize and 

 direct the impulse produced by the lower aids; and, if this 

 impulse is wanting or is incomplete, the horse escapes more 

 or less from the rider's control. We have said several times 

 that the lesson of the legs must take precedence over all 

 others and that it is necessary to return to this lesson every 

 few minutes during the whole period of the instruction of 

 the young horse. 



A horse is behind the legs, when he remains indifferent 

 to their action either through sluggishness or unwillingness. 



A horse behind the legs, is, as a natural result, behind 

 the bit. He is completely out of his rider's control; this is 

 the beginning of obstinacy. 



Length of Stirrups. Our regulations (French) say: "The 

 stirrups are suitably adjusted if the tread of the stirrup is 

 level with the top of the boot heel, when the trooper is sit- 

 ting properly on his horse, with the knees closed and the 

 legs hanging naturally." 



In his treatise on equitation. Count d'Aure admits the 

 same principle but states it less precisely. According to 

 him, "the tread of the stirrup, before the foot is inserted, 

 should be at the height of the rider's heel." 



In the Austrian cavalry the stirrups are worn somewhat 

 shorter. Their regulations say: "The trooper adjusts the 

 stirrups so that the tread shall be about one inch above the 

 seam at the heels. If, from this adjustment, the trooper 

 stands in his stirrups, there will be a space of four fingers 

 between his crotch and the saddle." 



The German regulations give the same instructions as 

 the Austrian. (See also par. 846, U. S. Cavalry Drill Regu- 

 lations). 



When the stirrups are too long, the rider is said to be 

 on his crotch (fork seat); he loses all stability; his legs flap 



