An Improved Method 



153 



the man without any reference to his make and 

 shape, in order to get his leg into the correct posi- 

 tion. In a minor degree, tying 

 the stirrups together (Figs. 3 

 and 4), has a similar effect, but 

 this is the smallest of the bene- 

 fits derived from the use of this 

 contrivance, which is of the 

 greatest value. Its chief ad- 

 vantage is that it makes fall- 

 ing off under ordinary circum- 

 stances extremely difficult; the 

 leg cannot fly out very far from 

 the saddle in any direction, so 

 that if balance is lost it can be 

 regained at once without a fall, 

 whilst if the pupil flies up into 

 the air his feet meet the arch of 

 the stirrup-iron and he drops 

 back into his seat. fig. 3 — the stirrups 



Now, when a man falls his (With along-legged man 

 ' the strap can be passed 



frame becomes rigid, and that through a runner on the 



. girth.) 



is why he so easily breaks his 



bones : it therefore follows that, when he thinks he is 



