104 T[IE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



are very few horses that do not require a breast-plate, 

 especially where there are any hills. 



Ride easily to yourself, and you will sit easiest to 

 your horse. There is no rule for short or long stirrups, 

 for riding quite home, up to the instep, or on the ball, or 

 even at the toe of the foot. There have been, and are, 

 riders of equal distinction, differing, in these respects, 

 as to their seats. Whether you sit firmly by gripe or 

 by balance does not signify ; but the latter is the most 

 graceful, and a combination of both the most desirable. 

 A jockey-seat, with the foot well home in the stirrup, is 

 most commonly adopted, and appears the best for work 

 across country ; but, if I am to mention the most per- 

 fect and accomplished horseman of the day, and may be 

 pardoned the use of any name, I must quote that of 

 Colonel G. Greenwood, without fear of one dissentient 

 voice. With a military seat, I have seen him conduct 

 young and unmade horses over a country in a manner 

 which, to my thinking, and not according to my opinion 

 only, has no parallel. Sir F. Burdett, Colonel Standen, 

 Lord Clanricarde, and other eminent performers, ride 

 also with long stirrups. Some others, whom I could 

 mention, would, probably, ride better without any, 

 than many could with the assistance of either short or 

 long ; and some huntsmen, &c., have a habit of releasing 

 their feet, and throwing their stirrups over the withers of 

 their horse at any large leap, particularly at brooks ; in 

 this respect, therefore, we may say, "sua cuique voluntas." 

 A very indifferent and infirm seat, may, by practice, 



