The Seat. 25 



would soon become intolerable, not only be- 

 cause he would have no means of avoiding the 

 incessant shock of the horse's action, but also 

 because he could not depart from his regular 

 position in the saddle, except at the risk of 

 being immediately unseated. With them a 

 free and elastic trotter becomes the best and 

 pleasantest of hacks. Well poised in his 

 stirrups, and rising corkily to the stroke of 

 his lively nag, the practised horseman can 

 support his body in almost any attitude which 

 he may find convenient, and can thus ride a 

 day's journey without any unpleasant exer- 

 tion. 



At the gallop the stirrups are seldom em- 

 ployed. But this is only because, in ordinary 

 riding, the horse is seldom galloped very fast 

 or very long. When this becomes necessary, 

 as in hunting it often does, the rider will soon 

 find the incessant spring and pitch exceedingly 

 jarring. In this case let him incline his body 

 forward, lower his hands upon the horse's 

 withers, and press the stirrups steadily with 

 his feet. At first he will undoubtedly feel 

 his new position somewhat precarious. But 

 after a little practice he will find that it en- 



