32 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



was partly resting on it, and which in the cavalry can- 

 not possibly get very far away from it. 



But, in the hunting seat, the instant the rider expects 

 such a kick, by merely rising in his stirrups he at once 

 raises or abstracts from the saddle the point his enemy 

 intends to attack, and accordingly the blow aimed at 

 it fails to reach it. 



Again, on approaching a large fence, by the same 

 simple precaution, the rider entirely avoids the concus- 

 sion of that sudden jerk or effort necessary to enable 

 the horse to clear it. In a fall, the pommel of the saddle 

 and the horse's neck and head are much easier cleared 

 by short stirrup-leathers than by long ones. Lastly, in a 

 common trot, the former soften the jolt, which the latter 

 cannot easily avoid. In short, in a hunting seat, the 

 rider, to his great comfort and relief, rests more or less 

 on his saddle as long as he likes, and yet, the instant 

 he anticipates a blow from it, leaves it, without me- 

 taphor . . . behind him. 



Of horsemanship it may truly be said, that about four- 

 fifths of the art depend on attaining a just seat, and 

 one-fifth on possessing a pair of light hands.* But 

 although the attainment of these advantages is not in- 

 compatible with an easy, erect position on horseback, 



* Beckford says, " First attribute of a good huntsman is courage. Next, 

 hands and seat." 



