162 THE HORSE. 



hand on the cantle or afterpart of the saddle, and 

 making a moderate spring or vault, being cautious, 

 at the same time to keep his foot and spur clear of 

 the horse, he seats himself, and the left hand still 

 retaining hold of the mane, with the right he adjusts 

 the stirrup to that foot. Being seated at his ease, as 

 in a chair, and looking forward between the ears of 

 his horse, he will find himself in a square and even 

 position with the animal. The two forming a perfect 

 centaur. His next object is to adjust the reins, sup- 

 posing them the bridoon or snaffle, and curb, which 

 should be done by leaving the rein of the latter rather 

 slack, the chief pressure being upon the snaffle rein ; 

 the curb being reserved for occasional use, when a 

 more than ordinary command over the horse's mouth 

 may be needful, the curb rein may then be drawn with 

 the requisite force. The right foot being fixed in the 

 stirrup, the whip, its handle being upwards, is gently 

 withdrawn from the left to the right hand, and its 

 usual place is down behind the calf of the leg. As to 

 the seat, a man will sit upright, as in his chair, but in 

 the common, and more particularly the sporting seat 

 on horseback, the spine is bent in a small degree out- 

 ward, being directly contrary to the form in military 

 equitation, in which I am no professor. The stirrup 

 leathers should be of such length as to admit of the 

 knee being sufficiently bent to retain a firm hold of 

 the saddle, but not to that degree as to hoist the 

 rider much above it when he stands in his stirrups : 

 nor should they be so long as to exhibit him a straight- 

 kneed jockey, which detracts from his power on 

 horseback, and is dangerous in the respect of that 



