56 SEATS AND SADDLES. 



case, on the contrary, supposing the stirrups to be 

 placed far forwards and the rider far back in the saddle, 

 standing in the stirrups will at once throw the weight 

 from one end of the saddle to the other; make this 

 press partially on the horse's back instead of equably, 

 as in the first case, which see-sawing must tend to make 

 the saddle shift, and must also alter the equilibrium of 

 the horse, throwing its weight more forward, conse- 

 quently rendering the animal incapable of turning 

 sharply and handily, and, if done suddenly, frequently 

 even bringing it to a dead halt. In hunting, sharp 

 turns are seldom required, whilst speed is, and there- 

 fore there is a justification fon throwing the weight 

 forwards or backwards, especially in jumping ; but even 

 this has certain limits, of which more hereafter. Again, 

 in road-riding the English fashion of trotting requires a 

 man to rise in his stirrups ; but there is really no reason 

 why he should therefore sacrifice the lateral support 

 spoken of above to the extent one often sees, or throw 

 such a surplusage of weight on his horse's forehand. 

 There can be no doubt that he rides less safely by so 

 doing, for a sharp wheel-round of a shying horse is 

 more likely to bring him down ; but this question of 

 trotting must be also reserved for a future chapter. 



For military purposes the stirrups must be placed in 

 the centre of the saddle directly under the rider's seat : 

 there is no alternative. The cavalry soldier is often 

 compelled in the use of his weapons to stand in his 

 stirrups. If by doing so the equilibrium of his horse be 

 altered, he disables the animal and himself at the most 

 critical moment. The power of turning rapidly to 

 administer or avoid a sword-cut or lance-thrust is 

 seriously impaired if the stirrups be placed forward, 



