INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 11 



-will further depend on the general shape of those parts 

 of its under and upper surfaces that come in contact 

 with the horse's back and rider's seat respectively, 

 which, of course, includes the question of its proper 

 place, its mode of attachment that is to say, where 

 and how the girths should be fixed and the causes of 

 its displacement, which depend partly on its own shape 

 favouring, partly on the rider's seat producing, lever 

 action, which again depends to a great extent on the 

 exact point from which the stirrups are suspended. 



This will furnish data for an estimate, not so much of 

 the relative value of different kinds of seats which 

 would only divert attention from the real object, and 

 provoke controversy as of their absolute fitness for 

 the particular purpose they are intended to fulfil ; and 

 will also afford an opportunity of pointing out the 

 danger of exaggerations, and the gross absurdity of 

 applying a style of riding more or less specially adapted 

 to one purpose to others that have no analogy with it ; 

 in fact, it will be shown that different styles of riding 

 are not only inevitable but legitimate, because the ends 

 to be attained vary considerably. But at the same 

 time, although the general principles may be adapted 

 to circumstances, they can never be absolutely violated 

 with impunity. Let each particular style of riding be 

 as perfect in itself as possible without being made 

 antagonistic to others, or losing sight of the general 

 conditions that apply to all without exception. There 

 is a great value in schools ; for, making due allowance 

 for individuality, they enable us to form a correct 

 estimate of what the scholars can do. For instance, 

 in " welters " we impose penalties on professional jocks, 

 because we know they have been trained in a certain 



