HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 25 



iron of the East, indispensable. It gives, in fact, the strength 

 of the standing, instead of the sitting, posture. The Cossack 

 retains this standing posture even at a trot. Few Eastern 

 horsemen allow that pace at all, but make their horses walk, 

 amble, or gallop. It is singular that of all people the English 

 only rise in the stirrup in trotting. It is not so singular that 

 most European nations are beginning to follow their example. 

 The English hunting seat is, in point of length, the medium 

 of those mentioned ; and perhaps that seat, or something 

 between that and the military seat, is the best adapted to 

 common riding. It unites, in a greater degree than any other, 

 ease, utility, power, and grace. The most perfect exemplifi- 

 cation of this seat is Lord Cathcart^s. 



A bad horseman throws his horse down, which a good one 

 does not. That is, because the bad horseman hurries his horse 

 over hard or rough ground, or down hill, or over loose stones ; 

 allows him to choose his own ground ; lets him flounder into 

 difficulties, and, when there, hauls him so that he cannot see, 



