IN THE SADDLE 45 



pressed, the ball of the foot resting on 

 the stirrup. This alters the grip entirely, 

 and gives the greatest possible purchase, 

 with the knee firmly in the angle be- 

 tween the pommel and the saddle flap, 

 the thigh close to the saddle above, and 

 the inside of the calf below, where one 

 should be able to hold a piece of paper 

 without having it fall out while trotting. 

 The left foot will, of necessity, remain 

 quiet — a most desirable point often neg- 

 lected. 



Now for the right leg. The first di- 

 rection usually given is to grasp the pom- 

 mel with it. That is all very well, but 

 it leads to a grievous error. In the en- 

 deavor to obey the order, the right knee 

 is pressed hard to the left — against the 

 pommel, it is true, but in such a man- 

 ner that there is considerable space be- 

 tween the leg and the saddle, extending 

 from the knee half-way up the thigh. 

 4 



