THE SEAT ON HORSEBACK, 139 



upward, and dropping the toes of the left foot 

 more or less down toward the ground, while 

 those of the right are raised and pointed toward 

 the horse's head. (JFig. 23.) Although the 

 lower limbs are concealed by the skirt, it can 

 easily be told whether they are in the position 

 just described, from the effect produced upon 

 the upper part of the body, which then leans 

 too far forward and too much to the right 

 (Fig. 24) ; while the rider, in her efforts to 

 balance herself, inclines her shoulders to the 

 left. This is a very awkward as well as a very 

 dangerous attitude, because, by thrusting her 

 leg backwards, the action of spurring is imi- 

 tated, and, if the horse is very high-spirited, 

 this may cause him to become restive, or even 

 to run away. Should the leg, moreover, as is 

 very apt to be the case, be firmly and steadily 

 pressed against the animal's side, he may sud- 

 denly pirouette or turn around to the right, 

 especially if he has been accustomed to carry- 

 ing gentlemen as well as ladies. This short stir- 

 rup-leather and improper use of the third pom- 

 mel should be carefully avoided. 



The use of too long a stirrup-leather is apt to 

 be the mistake of those who ride upon the old- 

 fashioned saddle, but is a fault which has be- 

 come much less common since the English 



