62 The Horse Tnj)ustry in New Yokk State 



shoulder, — a seat, in fact, where the position of a jockey lying 

 along the neck of his monnt brings the rider's center of gravity 

 well over, if not forward of, the fore legs of his monnt, — has been 

 demonstrated beyo-nd question to be the very best position under 

 which a horse on the flat can extend himself. Doubtless a horse 

 with the weight on the shoulders makes the lift of the weight 

 with a spring of the forelegs, which leaves the hind legs and 

 quarters to do the propelling with the least possible hindrance. 

 On the other hand, while a horse may be ridden with the center 

 of gravity over his fore legs, across a field, it is obvious that in 

 taking a fence the best, the easiest, the most secure position of the 

 rider must be well back. 



The position of a boy on a rocking-horse, or a person in a rock- 

 ing-chair, best illustrates my meaning. When the center of 

 gravity on either the w^ooden rocking-horse or rocking-chair is 

 forward of the center, the motion is labored and all in one 

 direction. If a person sits too far forward in a rocking-chair, the 

 forward rock corresponds to the landing side of a jump, and 

 assists greatly in producing a spill. Seated too far back, one 

 cannot make the rocker go forward without an undue exertion. 

 This illustrates the taking-off position of a jump : the horse, like 

 the person in the rocker, must make an unusual effort to carry 

 the rider forward. This is so plain and simple a condition that it 

 seems almost absurd to mention it. However, it best illustrates 

 the point under discussion. 



The theory of slanting shoulders is that they usually (but not 

 always) have the effect of keeping the saddle well back, 'so that the 

 rider does sit nearly at the center of gravity of his mount. This 

 he is able to maintain, when the horse is jumping, by simply lean- 

 ing well forward as the animal rises to the obstacle, sitting up- 

 right when over the center, and leaning well back as the animal 

 descends. So far, I venture to say, the majority of my readers 

 will agree. But, I ask, what is the value of slanting shoulders 

 when, as sometimes happens, a horse is low in the withers, letting 

 the saddle well forward^ It is evident that, for keeping the 

 rider back near the center of gravity, high, sloping withers have 

 quite as much virtue as slanting shoulders, for a horse may have 

 the latter without the former. 



