120 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



The length of the stirrups, with such a seat, will 

 enable the rider to clear the pommel of the saddle easily, 

 when standing in them, and, as a general rule, will cause 

 the lower part of the stirrup irons to reach just below 

 the ankle joints, when the feet are taken out of them, 

 and allowed to hang down. In short, the length of the 

 stirrups should be such as will assist the horseman in 

 assuming a perfect seat, and cannot be determined by 

 any fixed measurement. 



If the rider finds that, when on a puller at the gallop, 

 he can get his knees well into the flaps of the saddle* 

 draw his feet back, and in this manner exert his strength 

 to the best advantage, he may rest assured that his stir- 

 rups are of the right length. 



Men, with round thighs, and small knee joints, will 

 usually require longer stirrups than those of an opposite 

 conformation, for they need a certain amount of grip 

 from the calf of the leg, to aid that of the knee and 

 thigh. 



One should ride with the feet home in the stirrups, 

 except perhaps, at the walk, or the trot, when the ball 

 of the foot may rest on the iron. 



The muscles of the hands, arms, and shoulders, should 

 be free from all stiffness, so that the rider may give and 

 take with every movement of the horse's head and neck. 

 The elbows should not be stuck out. 



When sitting down, in the ordinary manner, at the 

 canter or gallop, the rider should keep his body slightly 

 inclined back, and should yield to the movement of the 

 horse, so that the seat may not quit the saddle for a 

 moment. To avoid bumping up and down, the horse- 



